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. 2017 Apr 6;9(4):e1139. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1139

Table 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Surgical site infection (SSI) definitions.

Definition of superficial and deep incisional SSI criteria based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [20].

Indication Superficial Incisional SSI Criteria Deep Incisional SSI Criteria
Timeline MUST occur within 30 days after operative procedure MUST occur within:

  1. 30 days of operative procedure if NO implant left in place

  2. One year if implant left in place
Tissue Involvement MUST involve only skin and subcutaneous tissue of the incision MUST involve deep soft tissues (fascial and muscle layers) of the incision
Drainage, Culture, Symptoms At least one of the following:

  1. Purulent drainage from incision

  2. Organisms isolated from aseptically obtained culture

  3. At least one of the following signs or symptoms of infection and the superficial incision

  1. Pain

  2. Redness

  3. Tenderness

  4. Localized swelling

  5. Heat

 At least one of the following:

  1. Purulent drainage from the deep incision but not the organ space component

  2. Deep incision spontaneously dehisces or is deliberately opened by the surgeon and is culture positive OR not cultured when the patient has at least one of the following:

  1. Fever

  2. Localized pain

  3. Tenderness

3) An abscess or other evidence of infection involving the deep incision found on direct examination, during reoperation, or by histopathologic or radiologic exam
Diagnosis By surgeon or attending physician By surgeon or attending physician