Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are a common complication of surgical procedures in India, and can increase the cost of surgery significantly. To avoid these infections and keep surgery bills low, the following measures can be taken:

• Pre-operative screening: Patients should undergo screening for infections before the procedure.
• Proper hygiene: Patients and healthcare staff should ensure proper hand hygiene and disinfection of the surgical site.
• Use of antibiotics: Antibiotics should be administered prior to and after the procedure to prevent infections.
• Elimination of contaminated sources: All contaminated sources must be eliminated within the operating room.
• Proper sterilization: All instruments, including surgical gloves and gowns, should be properly sterilized before use.

According to a study conducted in India, the relationship between SSIs and the cost of surgery is direct and significant. The study compared the total cost of surgery for patients with and without SSIs, and found that the former group had significantly higher costs due to prolongation of hospital stay, readmissions, surgical revisions, and additional tests. Adopting proper measures to prevent and treat SSIs can lower healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.