Surgical Site Infection after Malignant Brain Tumor Resection: A Multicenter Study for Induction of a Basic Care Bundle

Patients with malignant brain tumors are possibly at increased risk for surgical site infections (SSIs) considering the various medical situations associated with the disease. However, the actual rate of SSI after malignant brain tumor resection has not been well established, despite the potential impact of SSI on patient outcome. To investigate the incidence of SSI following malignant brain tumor surgery, we performed a retrospective study in 3 neurosurgical units. Subsequently, aiming at the reduction of incidence of SSI, we performed a prospective study using a care bundle technique in the same units. The SSI incidence in the retrospective (n = 161) and prospective studies (n = 68) were 4.3% and 4.4%, respectively, similar to the previously reports on general craniotomies. A care bundle does not appear to enhance prevention of SSI. However, future, large studies with a new care bundle should be planned based on a zero tolerance policy.