Implementing a standard protocol to decrease the incidence of surgical site infections in rectal cancer surgery.

To evaluate the effectiveness of our surgical site infection (SSI) preventive strategies for rectal cancer patients. We compared the incidences and risk factors for SSI before (1990-1999) and after the implementation of our SSI prevention policies (2002-2006). A total of 250 patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained perioperatively to measure the circulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The incidence of SSI was significantly lower after the introduction of SSI prevention policies [SPP(+)] than before [SPP(-)], at 13.1% vs 32.0%, respectively (P = 0.0004). Even with the infection control programs, abdominoperineal resection (APR) was an independent factor predictor of SSI after rectal cancer surgery. The consumption of postoperative interleukin (IL)-6 soluble receptor was much higher in the APR patients than in the non-APR patients. The exaggeration of postoperative IL-6 response was more pronounced in the APR patients in the SPP(+) group than in those in the SPP(-) group, although preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy might have influenced the inflammatory response. These findings suggest that the introduction of SPP helped reduce the incidence of SSI, especially in the non-APR patients.