Preoperative biliary colonization/infection caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in patients undergoing major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection

Role of Preoperative Multiple-Drug-Resistant Bacteria Intestinal Colonization in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Background/Objectives: Multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are pathogens resistant to three or more antibiotic classes, and infection with these bacteria is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and hospital management costs. Given the rise in antibiotic resistance, selecting appropriate antimicrobial drugs and avoiding the unnecessary use of new antibiotics are crucial. Due to their nosocomial nature, monitoring and preventing MDR infections are essential. Methods: This study enrolled patients who underwent cardiac surgery from January 2020 to May 2022. The patients included were those 18 years or older who tested positive for MDR intestinal colonization before surgery. Excluded were patients who tested positive after surgery, or were younger than 18, pregnant, or lactating. For each positive patient, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) score was calculated. The data collected included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the type of surgery, the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, ICU readmission, mortality, and other infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, or surgical site infection) to establish a control group and postoperative outcome measures. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups regarding the ICU length of stay, new ICU admissions, or mortality. Additionally, there were no differences in the infection rates, such as bacteremia, wound infections, and pneumonia. Conclusions: Preoperative rectal colonization by MDR bacteria does not appear to worsen postoperative outcomes for cardiac surgery patients. These findings suggest that patients with a preoperative MDR-positive rectal sample might undergo cardiac surgery without significantly increased risk. Besides the limitations of this study, pre-surgical antibiotic prophylaxis may not need to be adjusted for patients with preoperative MDR positivity.

Role of rectal colonization by third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales on the risk of surgical site infection after hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery

The impact of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCR-E) rectal colonization in the development of subsequent infection after surgery is controversial. In particular, there is a lack of data in the context of hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of 3GCR-E intestinal carriage among patients undergoing elective HPB resection surgery and its impact on the incidence and etiology of surgical site infections (SSIs). This retrospective cohort study (January 2016-December 2022) was performed at Valme University Hospital (Seville, Spain). The inclusion criteria included (i) 18 years of age or older, (ii) undergoing elective HPB resection surgery, and (iii) availability of a periprocedural surveillance rectal swab culture to detect 3GCR-E. The prevalence of 3GCR-E intestinal carriage at elective HPB resection surgery was assessed, as well as SSI incidence at 30 days and possible associated factors. Two hundred nine patients were included. Eleven (5.3%) patients were colonized by 3GCR-E at baseline. According to 3GCR-E carriage status, 6 (55%) of the carriers developed SSI, whereas this occurred in 50 (25%) of non-carriers (P = 0.033). Likewise, the rates of SSI caused specifically by 3GCR-E were 83% (5 of 6) in 3GCR-E carriers and 6% (3 of 50) in non-carriers (P < 0.001). After multivariate analyses, 3GCR-E colonization at the time of surgery was identified as an independent predictor for developing SSI (adjusted odds ratio 4.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.177-18.232, P = 0.028). Despite a low prevalence of 3GCR-E intestinal carriage at surgery, 3GCR-E rectal colonization is associated with a higher risk of SSI among patients undergoing elective HPB resection surgery, with most SSIs being caused by the colonizing bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

In this Spanish retrospective cohort study, previous 3GCR-E rectal colonization was associated with a higher risk of SSI after hepato-pancreato-biliary resection surgeries. Most of SSIs were caused by the colonizing bacteria, suggesting a rationale for adapted perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in known 3GCR-E colonized patients.

Comparative Analysis of Microbial Species and Multidrug Resistance Patterns in Acute Cholangitis Patients with Cholecystectomy: A Single-Center Study

This study aimed to compare microbial species and multidrug resistance patterns in acute cholangitis patients with and without a history of cholecystectomy, highlighting potential differences We hypothesized that post-cholecystectomy patients would exhibit distinct microbial spectra and resistance patterns. Conducted at a western Romanian hospital specializing in gastroenterology and hepatobiliary diseases from 2020 to 2023, this retrospective study included 488 acute cholangitis patients, divided into groups based on their cholecystectomy history. Bile and blood samples were analyzed for microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility using VITEK®2. Positive biliary cultures were found in 66% of patients. The cholecystectomy group showed a higher prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, with 74.4% exhibiting resistance compared to 31.5% in the non-cholecystectomy group (p < 0.001). Notable microbial differences included higher occurrences of Escherichia coli (40.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (32.4%) in the cholecystectomy group. Resistance to Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Penems was significantly higher in this group, with odds ratios of 3.25 (p < 0.001) and 2.80 (p = 0.001), respectively, for the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial species. The study confirmed our hypothesis, revealing distinct microbial profiles and a higher prevalence of multidrug resistance in acute cholangitis post-cholecystectomy patients. These findings underscore the need for tailored antibiotic strategies in managing acute cholangitis in this patient demographic.

Prognostic impact of postoperative infection after resection of biliary malignancy: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative infections in patients who underwent resection for biliary malignancy, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma, and carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

METHODS

This study was conducted in an 11-center retrospective cohort study. Patients with biliary tract cancer who underwent curative resection between April 2013 and March 2015 at 11 institutions in Japan were enrolled. We analyzed the prevalence of postoperative infection, infection-related factors, and prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Of the total 290 cases, 33 were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 60 were perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 120 were distal cholangiocarcinoma, 55 were gallbladder carcinoma, and 22 were carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Postoperative infectious complications, including remote infection, were observed in 146 patients (50.3%), and Clavien-Dindo ≥III in 115 patients (39.7%). Postoperative infections occurred more commonly in the patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy and bile duct resection. Patients with infectious complications had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without (median overall survival 38 months vs 62 months, P = .046). In a diagnosis-specific analysis, although there was no correlation between infectious complications and overall survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma, and carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, infectious complications were a significantly poor prognostic factor in gallbladder carcinoma (P = .031).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative infection after surgery for biliary tract cancer commonly occurred, especially in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and bile duct resection. Postoperative infection is relatively associated with the prognosis of patients with biliary malignancy, especially gallbladder carcinoma.

The usefulness of preoperative bile cultures for hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction

Background

Infectious complications can cause lethal liver failure after hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction. This study assessed the increased risk for postoperative infectious complications in patients who underwent hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction and explored the possibility of predicting pathogenic microorganisms causing postoperative infectious complications based on preoperative monitoring of bile cultures.

Methods

This study involved 310 patients who received major hepatectomy with or without biliary reconstruction at our institution between January 2010 and December 2019. The relationship between the microorganisms detected through perioperative monitoring of bile culture and those in the postoperative infectious foci was examined.

Results

Forty-nine patients underwent major hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction, and 261 received hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction. The multivariate analysis revealed hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative infectious complications (odds ratio: 22.9, 95% confidence interval: 5.2-164.3) compared to hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction. In the patients with biliary reconstruction, the concordance rates between the microorganisms detected in the postoperative infectious foci and those in preoperative bile cultures were as follows: incisional surgical site infection (44.4%), organ/space surgical site infection (52.9%), bacteremia (47.1%), and pneumonia (16.7%); the concordance rates were high, and the risk of infection increased over time.

Conclusions

Biliary reconstruction is a significant risk factor for postoperative infectious complications, and preoperative bile cultures may aid in prophylactic and therapeutic antimicrobial agent selection.

Infectious complications after surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A single Western center experience

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for surgical infectious complications and the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma according to the microbiological examinations.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in the last decade were enrolled, and all clinical and microbiological data were collected from a retrospective monocentric database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed distinguishing patients who developed at least 1 surgical infectious complication (surgical site infections, acute bacterial cholangitis, bacteremia).

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients were included. Among patients who developed surgical infectious complications (51%), many preoperative characteristics were significantly more frequent: American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3 (P = .026), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥3.4 (P = .001), endoscopic sphincterotomy (P = .032), ≥2 biliary drainage procedures (P = .013), acute cholangitis (P = .012), multidrug resistant (P = .009), and ≥3 microorganisms' detection (P = .042); whereas during the postoperative period, surgical infectious complications were associated to increased incidence of intensive care unit readmission (P = .031), major complications (P < .001), posthepatectomy liver failure (P = .005), ascites (P = .008), biliary leakage (P = .008), 90-day readmission (P = .003), and prolonged length of hospital stay (P < .001). At the multivariate analysis 3 independent preoperative risk factors for surgical infectious complications were identified: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥3.4 (P = .004), endoscopic sphincterotomy (P = .009), and acute cholangitis (P = .013). The presence of multidrug-resistance in the perioperative biliary cultures was related to postoperative multidrug-resistant species from all cultures (P < .001) and organ/space and incisional-surgical site infections (P ≤ .044).

CONCLUSION

Infective complications after surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma worsen the short-term outcomes. A careful microbiological surveillance should be carried out in all cases to prevent and promptly treat surgical infectious complications.

Surgical site infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms: a case-control study in general surgery

Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDR-Os) are emerging as a significant cause of surgical site infections (SSI), but clinical outcomes and risk factors associated to MDR-Os-SSI have been poorly investigated in general surgery. Aims were to investigate risk factors, clinical outcomes and costs of care of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDR-Os-SSI) in general surgery. From January 2018 to December 2019, all the consecutive, unselected patients affected by MDR-O SSI were prospectively evaluated. In the same period, patients with non-MDR-O SSI and without SSI, matched for clinical and surgical data were used as control groups. Risk factors for infection, clinical outcome, and costs of care were compared by univariate and multivariate analysis. Among 3494 patients operated on during the study period, 47 presented an MDR-O SSI. Two control groups of 47 patients with non-MDR-O SSI and without SSI were identified. MDR-Os SSI were caused by poly-microbial etiology, meanly related to Gram negative Enterobacteriales. MDR-Os-SSI were related to major postoperative complications. At univariate analysis, iterative surgery, open abdomen, intensive care, hospital stay, and use of aggressive and expensive therapies were associated to MDR-Os-SSI. At multivariate analysis, only iterative surgery and the need of total parenteral and immune-nutrition were significantly associated to MDR-Os-SSI. The extra-cost of MDR-Os-SSI treatment was 150% in comparison to uncomplicated patients. MDR-Os SSI seems to be associated with major postoperative complications and reoperative surgery, they are demanding in terms of clinical workload and costs of care, they are rare but increasing, and difficult to prevent with current strategies.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Hepato-Biliopancreatic Surgery—A Systematic Review

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most important determinants of morbidity after HBP surgery. Their frequency after HPB surgery is variable, from 1–2% after elective cholecystectomy to 25% after PD. Methods: A systematic review was performed to assess the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) in HPB elective surgery. Articles published between 2015 and 2021 were obtained; those before 2015 were not included because they antedate the WHO guidelines on SSI prevention. We conducted three different research methods for liver resection, elective cholecystectomy and pancreatic and biliary surgery regarding patients requiring preoperative biliary drainage. Results: Hepatic surgery, improvement in surgical technique and perioperative management lead to a very low SSI. One preoperative 2 g cefazolin dose may be adequate for surgical prophylaxis. From preoperative biliary drainage, we can derive that patients’ homeostasis rather than AP plays a paramount role in reducing postoperative morbidity. The time from biliary drainage could be an essential element in decision making for surgical prophylaxis. In the case of low-risk cholecystectomy, it is not easy to draw definitive conclusions about the effect of AP. Data from the literature are inconsistent, and some risk factors cannot be predicted before surgery. Conclusion: in our opinion, a strict preoperative cefazolin dose strategy can be reasonable in HBP surgery until a large-scale, multicentric RCT brings definitive conclusions.

Utility of the inside stent as a preoperative biliary drainage method for patients with malignant perihilar biliary stricture

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Appropriate preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is extremely important in patients with operable malignant perihilar biliary strictures. The aim of this study was to clarify the utility of inside stents in PBD.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with malignant perihilar biliary stricture who underwent endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) as the first PBD method were enrolled. Biliary stenting was performed in 61 patients during the study course (41 patients-inside stent implanted in the bile duct; 20 patients-conventional stent placed across the papilla of Vater). Twenty patients continued ENBD until surgery. Treatment outcomes were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

The re-intervention rate was significantly lower in the inside stent group than in the conventional stent group and ENBD group (9.8% vs 40% and 35%, P = .013 and .030, respectively), and the time to re-intervention was also significantly longer (log-rank: P = .004 and .041, respectively). Of the five patients in the inside stent group who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, only one required re-intervention. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The inside stent may be a useful PBD method for patients with malignant perihilar biliary stricture.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of biliary tract cancers 2019: The 3rd English edition

BACKGROUND

The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery launched the clinical practice guidelines for the management of biliary tract cancers (cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and ampullary cancer) in 2007, then published the 2nd version in 2014.

METHODS

In this 3rd version, clinical questions (CQs) were proposed on six topics. The recommendation, grade for recommendation, and statement for each CQ were discussed and finalized by an evidence-based approach. Recommendations were graded as Grade 1 (strong) or Grade 2 (weak) according to the concepts of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

The 31 CQs covered the six topics: (a) prophylactic treatment, (b) diagnosis, (c) biliary drainage, (d) surgical treatment, (e) chemotherapy, and (f) radiation therapy. In the 31 CQs, 14 recommendations were rated strong and 14 recommendations weak. The remaining three CQs had no recommendation. Each CQ includes a statement of how the recommendations were graded.

CONCLUSIONS

This latest guideline provides recommendations for important clinical aspects based on evidence. Future collaboration with the cancer registry will be key for assessing the guidelines and establishing new evidence.

Postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens in patients undergoing major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection

BACKGROUND

Few reports have addressed postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The aim of this study was to review the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and to clarify the incidence of and the risk factors for postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.

METHODS

Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection between 2006 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 620 study patients, 219 had postoperative infectious complications, including 62 (10.0%) with postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. The mortality of the 62 patients with postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens was higher (n = 8, 12.9%) than that in the 157 patients with postoperative infectious complications caused by non-multidrug-resistant pathogens(n = 2, 1.3%) (P < .001). With multivariate analysis, the presence of preoperative cholangitis, the extent of liver resection more than 50%, operative time longer than 600 minutes, the amount of blood loss more than 1500 mL, and the presence of postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative death. The presence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in preoperative bile culture, the amount of blood loss greater than 1500 mL, the presence of bile leakage, and pancreatic fistula were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens in patients undergoing major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection is high, approximately 10%. This troublesome complication is closely associated with postoperative death. Thus, preventing postoperative infectious complications caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens is an urgent task to improve surgical outcome after major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.

Significance of bile culture surveillance for postoperative management of pancreatoduodenectomy

Background

The management of infectious complications is important in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). We sought to determine the significance of preoperative surveillance bile culture in perioperative management of PD.

Methods

This study enrolled 69 patients who underwent PD for malignant tumors at a single institute between 2014 and 2017. Surveillance bile culture was performed before or during surgery. Correlations between the incidence of infectious postoperative complications and clinicopathological parameters, including bile cultures, were evaluated.

Results

Preoperative positive bile culture was confirmed in 28 of 51 patients (55%). Bile culture was positive in 27 of 30 cases (90%) with preoperative biliary drainage, and 1 of 21 cases (5%) without drainage (p < 0.01). Preoperative isolated microorganisms in bile were consistent with those detected in surgical sites in 11 of 27 cases (41%). Cases with positive multi-drug-resistant bacteria in preoperative bile culture showed significantly higher incisional SSI after PD (p = 0.01). The risk factors for the incidence of organ/space SSI were soft pancreatic texture (p = 0.01) and smoking history (p = 0.02) by multivariate analysis. Preoperative positive bile culture was neither associated with organ/space SSI nor overall postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Preoperative surveillance bile culture is useful for the management of wound infection, prediction of causative pathogens for infectious complications, and the selection of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.

Predictive Factors and Microbial Spectrum for Infectious Complications after Hepatectomy with Cholangiojejunostomy in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and peri-operative management, post-operative infectious complications still are common after perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). This study investigated the predictive factors and microbial spectrum for infections after hepatectomy with cholangiojejunostomy performed to treat PHCC. Methods: A total of 70 consecutive patients, who underwent hepatectomy with cholangiojejunostomy by the same surgeons at a tertiary referral medical center between September 2010 and January 2019, were enrolled. Clinical data were reviewed for multivariable analysis to find independent risk factors for infectious complications. Microorganisms isolated from bile and infection sites were counted to explore the microbial spectrum. Results: A total of 43 patients (61.4%) suffered post-operative infections (33 with surgical site infection [SSI], four with bacteremia, three with pneumonia, 10 with cholangitis, and two with fungus infectious stomatitis), and 28 of them (65.1%) had a positive bile culture. Four independent risk factors were identified: male sex (odds ratio [OR] 12.737; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.298-70.611; p = 0.004), red blood cell (RBC) count <3.8 × 10¹²/L (OR 5.085; 95% CI 1.279-20.211; p = 0.021), total cholesterol (TC) <2.90 mmol/L (OR 5.715; 95% CI 1.534-21.299; p = 0.009), and serum Na⁺ >145 mmol/L (OR 10.387; 95% CI 1.559-69.201; p = 0.016) on post-operative day (POD) 1. A total of 217 and 196 microorganisms were cultured from 311 and 627 specimens, respectively, collected from pre-/intra-operative bile and possible infection sites. Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, and Escherichia were the most common findings of bile culture. The first five organisms most frequently isolated from infection sites were Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Candida. A total of 18 patients (64.3%) had at least one species isolated from infection sites that had appeared in a previous bile culture. Conclusions: Male sex, erythrocytopenia, hypocholesterolemia, and hypernatremia on POD 1 are independent risk factors for infectious complications. For patients without positive bile cultures, third-generation cephalosporins could be considered as the prophylactic antibiotic. It is important to monitor the pathogens throughout the hospital stay.

Preoperative course of patients undergoing endoscopic nasobiliary drainage during the management of resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although there are many studies on technical outcomes of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), no authors reported on preoperative course of patients undergoing ENBD. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of patients with ENBD during the waiting period.

METHODS

Patients who underwent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) between January 2013 and September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 191 consecutive patients underwent surgical resection of PHCC after ENBD. Of the study patients, 154 (80.6%) patients were discharged, returned to their home, then re-admitted for surgery. The remaining 37 patients were continuously hospitalized. The number of cholangitis events during the waiting period was 0 in 120 patients, 1 in 59 patients, 2 ≤ in 12 patients. Endoscopic re-intervention was needed in 52 patients. The median length between the first admission and surgery was 37 days (range 12-197 days) in the entire cohort; it was longer in patients with portal vein embolization than in those without (43 vs. 27 days, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing resection of PHCC, ENBD is widely tolerable with relatively low incidence of cholangitis and thus recommended for preoperative biliary drainage.

Colonization by fecal extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and surgical site infections in patients with cancer undergoing gastrointestinal and gynecologic surgery

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients are at increased risk of infection. Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) may increase this risk. There are few studies on the prevalence of ESBL-PE colonization and surgical site infections (SSIs).

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included patients with gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies who were admitted to the hospital for elective surgery. Rectal swab cultures were obtained on the day of admission and during the postoperative period every 5 days. Prevalence of ESBL-PE fecal colonization and risk factors for the development of SSI were assessed.

RESULTS

We included 171 patients, 30 (17.5%) of whom were colonized with ESBL-PE at admission. This proportion increased to 21% (37 of 171) of the samples during the hospital stay. Incidence of SSI was 14.6% (n = 25). Ten of 37 (27%) patients colonized by ESBL-PE developed SSI versus 15 of 134 (11%) of the non-ESBL-PE (relative risk [RR], 2.163; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.201-3.897; P = .016). Five patients developed a bloodstream infection, and 4 patients were colonized with ESBL-PE (RR = 4.02; 95% CI, 1.2-3.89; P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of ESBL-PE fecal colonization in surgical patients was 17.5%. Colonization of ESBL-PE duplicated the risk of SSI by the same strain and, by a factor of 4, the risk of bloodstream infections.

Risk factors for surgical site infection after major hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery

Major hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HP) surgeries are complex procedures associated with a high incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and are commonly performed in patients with cancer in Japan. This study was performed to investigate the risk factors for SSI, including incisional and organ/space SSI, in HP surgery. The following procedures were included in the study: hepatectomy with and without biliary tract resection, pancreatectomy [pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), others], and open cholecystectomy. In total, 735 patients were analyzed. The incidence of SSI was 17.8% (incisional, 5.2%; organ/space, 15.5%; both 2.9%). The highest incidence of SSI was observed in patients who underwent hepatectomy with biliary tract resection (39.1%), followed by pancreatectomy (PD, 28.8%; others, 29.8%). Almost all SSIs after these three procedures were classified as organ/space (39.1%, 25.0%, and 27.7%, respectively), and these procedures were risk factors for not only total SSI but also organ/space SSI in the multivariate analysis. An American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of ≥3 was a risk factor for incisional SSI. Preoperative biliary drainage, prolonged surgery, concomitant surgery, and massive intraoperative bleeding were associated with SSI. In conclusion, the main type of SSI was organ/space SSI after HP surgery, and different risk factors were identified between organ/space and incisional SSI. Procedure-related factors and preoperative biliary drainage were independent risk factors for SSI. To prevent SSI, the indication for preoperative biliary drainage should be carefully evaluated in patients undergoing HP surgery.