A retrospective observational study conducted in the USA included patients who underwent general surgery with antibiotic prophylaxis at a community hospital.22 [EL = 2−] Demographic and clinical information was extracted from the database including readmission up to 28 days post-surgery. Regression techniques were used to identify independent risk factors for SSI detected early (between 2 and 7 days postoperatively), necessitating readmission or causing death. Age was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for early SSI incidence (SSI incidence for each decade increase in age OR 1.22, P < 0.01).