Introduction: Although surgical site infections (SSIs) are preventable complications of surgical procedures, they continue to
represent a threat to public health, having a critical effect on patients and healthcare systems. Methodology: A systematic search was
conducted through Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane to include the relevant literature in this
systematic review and meta-analysis. Review Manager 5.4 to conduct a quantitative data synthesis for the analyses. Random-effects
meta-analysis was used to assess the effect of operation duration as a potential risk factor on SSI. Results: A total of 7 studies were
eligible for this study with 3583 patients included. The estimated pooled SSI prevalence among post-operative patients in Saudi
Arabia was [0.09 (95% CI; 0.05, 0.12)] with significant heterogeneity level (I2=93%; P<0.001). The duration of operation of the seven
studies was significantly different between those who developed postoperative SSI and the control group [SMD=0.78, (95% CI; 0.22,
1.34), P=0.006]. Conclusion: We reported a relatively high prevalence of postoperative SSI in Saudi Arabia. The least SSI prevalence
rate was found among women who underwent cesarean section while the highest prevalence rate was associated with autologous
cranioplasty. We also found that prolonged duration of operation was significantly associated with a higher incidence of
postoperative SSI.
Keywords: surgical site infection, wound infection, operation duration, Saudi
Arabia