Incisional infection after colorectal surgery in obese patients.
In a prospective study of 189 colorectal operations, the subcutaneous fat layer in the abdominal incisional wound was measured for correlation with wound infection. The infection rate was 20% when the fat layer was greater than or equal to 3.5 cm and 6.8% when the thickness was less than or equal to 3 cm (statistically significant difference). This c. threefold rise indicates that in obese patients special attention should be directed to antibiotic and other prophylaxis against incisional infection.
D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*