Assessment of surgical site infections with antimicrobial resistance among cancer patients at a tertiary care hospital: A prospective study

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in cancer patients are a significant challenge, causing prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity, and mortality. Antimicrobial resistance complicates treatment and recovery. A study enrolled 228 cancer patients over 9 months found a 7.8% SSI incidence, highest in head and neck surgeries. Multidrug resistance was found in 48.01% of isolates, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella oxytoca as main pathogens. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with SSIs, with carcinoma and radiation therapy as independent predictors.