The obese surgical patient: a susceptible host for infection.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is common in the Western world, and obese persons constitute a growing population of surgical patients for both bariatric and non-bariatric operations. It is the traditional perception that obese patients have a higher risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality, although different studies show contradictory results.


OBJECTIVE
To better delineate the perioperative morbidity and mortality in obese patients.


METHODS
Review of the pertinent English-language literature


RESULTS
Obesity is a risk factor for nosocomial infection, particularly surgical site infection (SSI). The mechanisms by which obese patients may be at higher risk for SSI are reviewed, and specific recommendations are outlined that should be implemented when treating obese patients to minimize potentially preventable SSIs.


CONCLUSIONS
The growing prevalence of obesity and the increasing number of operations performed on obese patients, whether to achieve weight loss or for other purposes, will have a substantial impact on health care resources. Vigilant identification of high-risk patients and provision of all proved preventive measures must suffice until new methods of prevention are identified and validated.
Anaya
Daniel A
DA
Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6410, USA.
Dellinger
E Patchen
EP
D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection