Canadian Association of General Surgeons and American College of Surgeons Evidence Based Reviews in Surgery. 21: the risk of surgical site infection is reduced with perioperative oxygen.
OBJECTIVE
Does supplemental perioperative oxygen reduce the risk of surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery?


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Multicentre trial that included 14 hospitals in Spain.


METHODS
300 patients aged 18-80 years who underwent elective colorectal resection. Patients who had surgery performed laparoscopically or who had minor colon surgery were excluded.


METHODS
Patients were randomly allocated to either 30% or 80% fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) intraoperatively and for 6 hours postoperatively. Anesthetic treatment and antibiotic administration were standardized.


METHODS
Surgical site infection (SSI) as defined by the Center for Disease Control.


RESULTS
SSI occurred in 35 of 143 patients (24.4%) who were administered 30% FiO2 and in 22 of 148 patients (14.9%) who were administered 80% FiO2 (p = 0.04). The risk of SSI was 39% lower in the 80% group (relative risk [RR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.98) versus the 30% FiO2 group.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients receiving supplemental oxygen have a significant reduction in risk of surgical site infection.
Brasel
Karen
K
EBRS, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
McRitchie
Donna
D
Dellinger
Patch
P