Introduction: Surgical Site infections (SSI) still remain a significant problem following an operation and the third most frequently reported nosocomial infections. SSI contributes significantly to increase health care costs in terms of prolonged hospital stay and lost work days. The main additional costs are related to re-operation, extra nursing care and interventions, and drug treatment costs. The indirect costs, due to loss of productivity, patient dissatisfaction and litigation, and reduced quality of life have been studied extensively.

Methodology: The material for the present study was obtained from patient’s undergone surgery in Department of General Surgery, BMC & RI, Bangalore, from 1st Jan 2012 to 30th June 2013. Surgical site were considered to be infected according to the definition by NNIS. The wounds were classified according to the wound contamination class system proposed by U.S. National Research Council.

Results: A study of 400 operated cases was carried out of which 39 were diagnosed to be having surgical site infection as per the CDC criteria.

Conclusion: Thus the incidence of SSI in this study is 9%.