Keywords
Supplemental oxygen,
surgical site infection (SSI),
Children
How to Cite
Abstract
Surgical site infection is the commonest hospital acquired infection in surgical patient globally. Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications occurring in 49–59% of patients with typhoid intestinal perforation. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the potential clinical benefits of supplemental perioperative oxygen administration in reducing SSI. This study aimed to determine the effect of administering 80% supplemental oxygen in reducing SSI when compared with traditional inspired oxygen concentrations (30% oxygen) in paediatric surgical patients following laparotomy for typhoid intestinal perforation (TIP).This was a prospective, randomized controlled, hospital based study involving 49 paediatric surgical patients, 15 years and below, admitted into our paediatric surgical unit and had laparotomy on account of TIP. Patients were randomly assigned to either 80% supplemental oxygen or 30% oxygen. Supplemental oxygen was administered in the recovery room in the immediate post-operative period for 2 hours via a tight face mask connected to a reservoir. SSI was the primary outcome and was diagnosed using Center for Disease Control (CDC) and prevention criteria. Data collected were entered into a proforma and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (p < 0.05).Their ages ranged between 4 years and 15 years, mean age was 9.8±3.4 years. Overall nineteen patients (45.2%) were diagnosed with SSI. Eleven patients (52.4%) had SSI in control group compared to 8(38.1%) in study group, (p= 0.352). Other post-operative complications such as wound dehiscence, faecal fistula and prolonged ileus were also comparable between the two groups.Overall, increasing concentration of oxygen to 80% does not significantly affect SSI and other morbidities such pneumonia, prolonged ileus and reoperation when compared to traditional 30%.