Objective: To evaluate the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors associated with surgical site infection amongst obstetric patients and its impact on postoperative recovery. Methods: Aprospective, observational study was conducted among 332 patients Who underwent surgery in Obstetrics both elective and emergency over a period of two years. Among the 332 patients, 200 were operated on emergency basis and 132 on elective basis. Diagnosis of SSI was made as per CDC criteria. Various risk factors and impact of SSI on postoperative recovery were analysed. Results: The incidence of SSI was found to be 54 out of 332 women (16.3%). In these 54 cases, 35 (64.8%) underwent surgery on emergency basis. The most common type of SSI was superficial SSI. The risk of SSI was high in patients with exploratory laparotomies and midline incision (p <0.005). Presence of medical comorbidities like anaemia (6.29), hypertension (OR 3.07) and diabetes (OR 1.03) were identified as significant risk factors. Conclusion: SSIs are preventable by early identification and optimization of medical comorbidities and BMI. Reduction in infection rate can lead to decrease in substantial burden of the disease, both for the patients as well as healthcare services.

Keywords: Obstetric Cases; Post- Operative Impact; Surgical Site Infection.