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Risk factors

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Risk factors for the development of wound infection include:

  • senility, diabetes, ischaemia, malnutrition, vitamin C and zinc deficiency
  • steroids and cytotoxic drugs, radiotherapy
  • long preoperative hospital admission
  • shaving the operative site the night prior to surgery
  • rough handling of the tissue
  • poor blood supply, for example sutures too tight
  • failure to debride devitalised tissues
  • large dead space
  • contamination of wound

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