Nasal carriage of <i><scp>S</scp>taphylococcus aureus</i> in patients undergoing <scp>M</scp>ohs micrographic surgery is an important risk factor for postoperative surgical site infection: A prospective randomised study

Abstract

Nasal S. aureus carriage is an important risk factor for SSI in MMS, conferring an over threefold increase in SSI risk. A pre-operative nasal swab provides a simple and effective risk stratification tool. The use of a topical decolonisation regimen reduces the infection rate in carriers to a level approaching non-carriers without exposure to systemic antibiotics.