ABSTRACT
Despite advances in surgical procedures, increased understanding of wound pathologies, widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and more effective topical antimicrobial skin preps and dressings, postsurgical infection remains a source of morbidity and mortality for surgical patients [1]. It has been estimated that 2-5% of all surgical patients per year (approximately 16 million) develop a postsurgical infection. Postsurgical infections account for about 24% of all nosocomial infections, the second most common-urinary infections being the first. Postsurgical site infections prolong the hospital stay by 7.4 days on average. The total added cost, including indirect costs, may exceed $10 billion per year [2].
