Perioperative Hyperoxygenation Reduces Surgical Site Infection Risk

The risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) was effectively reduced with administration of 80% perioperative hyperoxygenation during emergency abdominal surgery, according to the results of a recent study.

Although the potential for hyperoxygenation to reduce SSIs has been discussed in many studies, the results have not yet been clearly defined, according to the study authors.

They randomly assigned patients to receive either 80% oxygen or 30% oxygen intraoperatively and for 2 hours after surgery, and assessed all patients for SSI, post-operative nausea and vomiting, and respiratory complications.

Overall, the risk of SSI was shown to be 59% lower in the patients receiving 80% oxygen compared with those receiving 30% oxygen (adjusted odds ratio 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19-0.88). No differences in post-operative nausea and vomiting or respiratory complications were observed between the groups.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Yerra P, Sistla SC, Krishnaraj B, et al. Effect of peri-operative hyperoxygenation on surgical site infection in patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Published July 27, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/sur.2021.005