TDNet Discover

Surgical site infections (SSIs) rank as the most common hospital-acquired infections and a common complication following abdominal surgeries. Abdominal procedures carry heightened SSI risk due to exposure of internal organs, extended operative times, and procedural complexity. These infections significantly impact patient outcomes, prolong hospital stays, and increase healthcare costs, creating a burden for both patients and healthcare systems. These infections carry significant consequences for hospitals, as the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program penalizes institutions financially by withholding reimbursements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a strong recommendation for using 80% fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) during surgery to reduce SSIs. However, conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of this approach led the WHO to downgrade the recommendation from “strong” to “conditional” in 2018. This uncertainty prompts anesthesia providers to question whether the benefits of hyperoxia outweigh its potential risks, including pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. A comprehensive literature review regarding oxygen use during general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in abdominal surgeries holds significant relevance for advancing clinical practice in perioperative care. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the effects of varying FiO2 concentrations on patient outcomes, including the risk of SSIs, pulmonary complications, and cardiovascular effects. Insights from the review emphasized the necessity of a nuanced, evidence-based approach to oxygen administration that aligns with the individual risks of patients undergoing abdominal surgery.