Surgical infections
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Surgical infections · Apr 2009
Obesity and site-specific nosocomial infection risk in the intensive care unit.
Obese patients are at higher than normal risk for postoperative infections such as pneumonia and surgical site infections, but the relation between obesity and infections acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. Our objective was to describe the relation between body mass index (BMI) and site-specific ICU-acquired infection risk in adults. ⋯ Obesity is an independent risk factor for ICU-acquired catheter and blood stream infections. This observation may be explained by the relative difficulty in obtaining venous access in these patients and the reluctance of providers to discontinue established venous catheters in the setting of infection signs or symptoms.
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Surgical infections · Apr 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialManagement strategy for dirty abdominal incisions: primary or delayed primary closure? A randomized trial.
It is still a matter of debate whether delayed primary closure (DPC) of dirty abdominal incisions reduces surgical site infections (SSIs) compared with primary closure (PC). Our objective was to determine whether DPC of dirty abdominal incisions reduces SSIs. ⋯ Delayed primary closure is a sound incision management technique that should be utilized for dirty abdominal incisions. It significantly lowers the rate of superficial SSI as well as fascial dehiscence and reduces the mean CIH time and hospitalization. The short-term cosmetic appearance is superior.