Evaluation of bacterial infection of split-thickness skin grafts at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Background: Split skin grafts are frequently employed to provide biological cover for extensive wounds. The clinical outcome of skin grafts depends on a variety of factors of which infection is one of the most important. The intent of this study was to define the microorganisms causing skin graft infections and failures at the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPSBC) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Aim: The study assessed the extent to which bacterial infection of grafted wounds resulted in graft failure and subsequent re-grafting. Materials and Methods: The study was a longitudinal study conducted on the wards of the NRPSBC at the KBTH on patients with wounds who received split skin grafts. Wand swabs of discharging grafted wounds were inoculated into a Stuarts' transport medium to prevent desiccation and transported immediately to the microbiology laboratory for further processing. Results: Fifteen (20.8%) of the grafts failed to take. The incidence of infected grafted wounds was 79.2% (57). Infected grafted wounds that resulted in graft failure were 14 out of 57 infected wounds (24.6%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Other Pseudomonas Species were identified as the bacteria frequently involved in graft failure at the NRPSBC. Conclusion: In this study, we found a graft failure rate of 20.8%. This was influenced by the bacterial load present in the graft bed.