1Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram. Email: drgreeshma2023@gmail.com
2Professor and Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
3Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
4Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram
Corresponding Author: Dr. Greeshma Murali, Post Graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, MAHER University, Kanchipuram. Email: drgreeshma2023@gmail.com
Background: Postoperative infections, particularly surgical site infections, are among the most common complications following surgical procedures and can lead to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and higher healthcare costs. Several perioperative factors may influence the risk of infection, including the duration of anaesthesia. Prolonged anaesthesia exposure has been suggested as a potential risk factor for postoperative infections.
Aim: To evaluate the relationship between anaesthesia duration and postoperative infection rate among patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective analytical study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia at a tertiary care teaching hospital attached to Meenakshi Medical College, Kanchipuram. A total of 75 patients who underwent elective surgical procedures were included in the study. Data were collected from medical records and anaesthesia charts, including patient demographics, type of surgery, type of anaesthesia, duration of anaesthesia, and postoperative infection status. Patients were categorized into three groups based on anaesthesia duration: less than 60 minutes, 60–120 minutes, and more than 120 minutes. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall incidence of postoperative infection was 16%. Infection rates increased with longer anaesthesia duration, with 5% infection rate in patients with anaesthesia duration <60 minutes, 12.5% in those with duration 60–120 minutes, and 30.4% in patients with duration greater than 120 minutes. The association between anaesthesia duration and postoperative infection rate was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.021).
Conclusion: Prolonged anaesthesia duration was significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative infections. Strategies aimed at minimizing unnecessary prolongation of anaesthesia and surgical duration may help reduce postoperative infection rates.
Keywords: Anaesthesia duration, postoperative infection, surgical site infection, perioperative risk factors, retrospective study.
How to cite this article: Murali G, Thirumaaran UG, Chandru E, Jabir. Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Anaesthesia Duration and Postoperative Infection Rate. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 447-451. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.53
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None