A Longitudnal Study Of Association Between Body Mass Index And Superficial Surgical Site Infection In Incisional Hernia Patients At Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Surgical site infection is one of the most common postoperative complications following abdominal surgeries. Obese patients have tissue hypoperfusion (subcutaneous adipose tissue), which may predispose to SSI through a greater risk of ischemia/necrosis and suboptimal neutrophil oxidative killing. The growing prevalence of obesity and the increasing number of operations performed on obese patients have a substantial impact on the outcome of open incisional hernia repair. However, data regarding the role of obesity among patients with SSI who underwent incisional hernia are scanty and to date very few studies have been conducted. Hence the present study was an undertaken to find association between body mass index and superficial surgical site infection in incisional hernia patients. Objective To find association between body mass index and superficial surgical site infection in incisional hernia patients. Methodology All patients diagnosed with incisional hernia during the study period were studied in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belgaum during the year 2012 were included in the study. A thorough clinical examination was conducted. Height and weight was recorded and body mass index was calculated Patients were inspected on day 3, day 5 and day 7, day 15 & day 30 following surgery and signs of surgical site infection if any, were recorded. Outcomes were tested for significance. Results Out of 60 patients 5 patients developed superficial surgical infection, 4 patients belonged to normal weight group and one patient in obese group. Conclusion There is no significant association between body mass index and superficial surgical site infection (p= 0.241) in incisional hernia patients in our study. Identification of surgical site infection and its frequency in obese patients is critical to approach its reduction. Further studies are required to conclude better association between body mass index and superficial surgical site infection in obese patients. Although this study has not shown significant association between BMI and superficial SSI it is necessary to take extra precautions in obese / overweight patients undergoing hernia surgery.