The Obese Surgical Patient: A Susceptible Host for Infection
- 1 October 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Surgical Infections
- Vol. 7 (5), 473-480
- https://doi.org/10.1089/sur.2006.7.473
Abstract
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. Purpose: 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. Conclusion: 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.Keywords
This publication has 49 references indexed in Scilit:
- Influence of obesity on in-hospital and early mortality and morbidity after myocardial revascularizationEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2004
- Increases in Clinically Severe Obesity in the United States, 1986-2000Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003
- Obesity and the risk of early and late mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgeryAmerican Heart Journal, 2003
- Obesity in general elective surgeryThe Lancet, 2003
- National Trends in Utilization and In-Hospital Outcomes of Bariatric SurgeryJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2002
- Obesity and Risk of Adverse Outcomes Associated With Coronary Artery Bypass SurgeryCirculation, 1998
- The Impact of Obesity on Surgical Outcomes: A ReviewJournal of the American College of Surgeons, 1997
- Influence of obesity on the early and long term results of surgery for coronary artery diseaseEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 1991
- OBESITY AS A RISK FACTOR FOLLOWING CADAVERIC RENAL TRANSPLANTATIONTransplantation, 1990
- Relationship of obesity to postoperative complications after cholecystectomyThe American Journal of Surgery, 1971