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Study: SSI better predicted by distribution of body mass in obese patients
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The distribution of body mass in obese patients is more predictive of surgical site infection than absolute body mass index, according to this study.
Researchers performed a retrospective review on 298 adult patients who underwent lumbar spine fusion surgeries between 2006 and 2008 at the Duke University Medical Center. Previously identified risk factors were collected, including number of levels, diabetes and body mass index (BMI). Researchers also collected the horizontal distance from the lamina to the skin surface and the thickness of subcutaneous fat at the surgical site.
According to the abstract, 8% of patients had postoperative infections. Researchers found that the number of levels was significantly associated with surgical site infections (SSI), however, BMI and diabetes were not statistically significant risk factors. Other risk factors for SSI included obesity, skin-to-lamina distance and thickness of the subcutaneous fat, according to the abstract.
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