Summary
Background
Reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgeries are frequently performed procedures,
and the consequences of a postoperative infection are devastating both for the patient
and the healthcare (HC) system. Over the years, there has been heightened interest
in the physical and mental well-being of physicians and HC workers. Little is known
about the relationship between HC workers and surgical site infections (SSI), and
whether HC workers are at an increased risk for SSI. The aim of this study was to
investigate whether women working in the HC system have an increased risk for SSI
following reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery.
Materials and methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent aesthetic and
reconstructive breast surgery at our institution between the years 2013–2020. Women
who were recognized as HC workers were analyzed in a separate group and compared to
those who were not.
Results
Records of 378 patients were reviewed, of whom 53 (14%) were identified as HC workers.
The overall infection rate was 17.4%. HC workers manifested a higher infection rate
than the other group (32% vs. 15.1%, p<0.05) and a significantly higher relative risk
for SSI (RR 2.12, p<0.01).
Conclusions
Women working in the HC system may have an increased risk of developing postoperative
infectious complications following aesthetic and reconstructive breast-related surgery.
Further research is needed to corroborate these findings and elucidate the causes.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 21, 2022
Accepted:
August 16,
2022
Received:
April 2,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
ScienceDirect
Access this article on ScienceDirectLinked Article
- A letter in response to; Surgical site infection in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery: A single centre retrospective analysis of the association between healthcare workers and infectionsJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic SurgeryVol. 76
- PreviewWe read with interest the recently published study by Kracoff et al. investigating the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) amongst female healthcare workers (HCWs).1 The authors examine the association of developing an SSI following aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and being a HCW. They conclude that being a HCW should be considered as an independent risk factor for contracting an SSI following this type of surgery. We commend the authors for their efforts in investigating a hypothesis that is particularly close to home, but question whether their data is sufficient to support the conclusions they have drawn.
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