Preventing SSIs: A Battle We Can Win Before Surgery

Sunday, May 10, 2026

12:30 PM - 1:20 PM ET

Co-Moderator(s)

PC

Peter Cataldo, MD (he/him/his)

Professor of Surgery
Larner College of Medicine
UVM Larner College of Medicine
Stowe, VT, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Elise H. Lawson, MD, MSHS (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Surgery
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, WI, US

Disclosure information not submitted.

CME .75 hours
Self-Assessment .75 hours

Symposium will include presentations on the gut microbiome and its influence on anastomotic leaks, pre-hospital treatment strategies to lower the risk of anastomotic leaks, the benefits of perioperative bundles in preventing SSIs, and new adjunctive technologies to lower the risks and consequences of anastomotic leaks.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Recognize the basic science evidence surrounding the microbiome and dangerous bacteria leading to anastomotic leaks (organ space SSI).
Describe prehabilitation and microbiome modification before surgery can potentially reduce anastomotic leaks (organ space SSI).
Specify how perioperative bundles can reduce organ space SSI, and how to implement these bundles.
Identify and evaluate future innovations that may lead to lower SSI rates.