Table 2 Definition of surgical site infection

Superficial incisional surgical site infection

An infection that occurs within 30 days after the operation and involves only skin or subcutaneous tissue at the incision and at least one of the following:

1. Purulent drainage, with or without laboratory confirmation, from the superficial incision.

2. Organisms isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue from the superficial incision.

3. At least one of the following signs or symptoms of infection: pain or tenderness, localized swelling, redness, or heat, and the superficial incision is deliberately opened by the surgeon, unless the incision is culture-negative.

4. Diagnosis of superficial incisional surgical site infection by the surgeon or attending physician.

Deep incisional surgical site infection

An infection that occurs within 30 days after the operation and involves deep soft tissue (e.g., fascial and muscle layers) around the incision and at least one of the following:

1. Purulent drainage from the deep incision but not from the organ/space component of the surgical site.

2. A deep incision spontaneously dehisces or is deliberately opened by the surgeon when the patient has at least the following signs or symptoms: fever (>38°C), localized pain, or tenderness, unless the site is culture-negative.

3. An abscess or other evidence of infection involving the deep incision is found on direct examination, during reoperation, or by a histopathological or radiological examination.

4. Diagnosis of superficial incisional surgical site infection by the surgeon or attending physician.