Wound infection in colorectal cancer resections through a laparoscopic approach: a single-center prospective observational study of over 3000 cases

OBJECTIVES: This prospective observational study aimed to clarify the incidence and independent risk factors of wound infection after laparoscopic surgery for primary colonic and rectal cancer. METHODS: A prospective surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI) was conducted in consecutive patients with primary colorectal cancer, who underwent elective laparoscopic surgery in a single comprehensive cancer center between 2005 and 2014. The outcomes of interest were the incidence and risk factors of wound infection. RESULTS: In total, 3170 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall incidence of wound infection was 3.0%. The incidence of wound infection was significantly higher in rectal surgery than in colonic surgery (4.7 vs. 2.1%, p < 0.001). In rectal surgery, independent risk factors for developing wound infection included abdominoperineal resection (p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 11.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.04–24.8), body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (p = 0.041, OR = 1.97, 95% CI, 1.03–3.76), and chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.032, OR = 2.18, 95% CI, 1.07–4.45). In laparoscopic colonic surgery, no significant risk factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic rectal surgery has a higher risk of wound infection than colonic surgery. Laparoscopic rectal surgery involving abdominoperineal resection, patients with higher BMI, and chemoradiotherapy requires careful observation in wound care and countermeasures against wound infection.