Does supplemental perioperative oxygen administration reduce the incidence of wound infection in elective colorectal surgery?
OBJECTIVE
An association has been proposed between perioperative administration of 80% oxygen and a lower incidence of wound infection after colorectal surgery. The present study was conducted to assess this hypothesis.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients (ASA classification 1 and 2) undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery were allocated at random to 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients who received an admixture of 80% oxygen and 20% nitrogen during anesthesia through an orotracheal tube and during the 2 first hours in the recovery room through a tight facemask with reservoir. Group 2 consisted of 19 patients who received an admixture of 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen during anesthesia, followed by administration of 30% oxygen delivered by a blender through a tight facemask with reservoir in the same manner than group 1, during the first 2 hours in the recovery room. Wound infection was evaluated daily during hospital stay and after 7 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month.


RESULTS
The incidence of wound infection was 12.5% in group 1 and 17.6% in group 2 (p=0.53).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed no reduction in the incidence of wound infection following elective colorectal surgery in patients receiving 80% oxygen during the perioperative period.
Mayzler
O
O
Department of General Surgery A, Soroka Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Weksler
N
N
Domchik
S
S
Klein
M
M
Mizrahi
S
S
Gurman
G M
GM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D010100:Oxygen