Yonsei Med J.  2014 Nov;55(6):1611-1616. 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.6.1611.

Underweight Body Mass Index as a Predictive Factor for Surgical Site Infections after Laparoscopic Appendectomy

• Cho M
• Kang J
• Kim IK
• Lee KY
• Sohn SK

• KMID: 2070210
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.6.1611

Abstract

PURPOSE
Analyses of risk factors associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) have been limited. Especially, the association of an underweight body mass index (BMI) with SSIs has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the impact of underweight BMI in predicting SSIs after LA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The records of a total of 101 consecutive patients aged > or =16 years who underwent LA by a single surgeon between March 2011 and December 2012 were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. The rate of SSIs was compared among the underweight, normal and overweight and obese groups. Also, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with SSIs.
RESULTS
The overall rate of SSIs was 12.8%. The superficial incisional SSI rate was highest in the underweight group (44.4% in the underweight group, 11.0% in the normal group, and 0% in the overweight and obese group, p=0.006). In univariate analysis, open conversion and being underweight were determined to be risk factors for SSIs. Underweight BMI was also found to be a significant predictor for SSIs in multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-49.5; p=0.005).
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated underweight BMI as being associated with SSIs after LA. Surgeons should be more cautious to prevent SSIs in patients that are underweight when performing LA.

Keyword

Appendicitis; laparoscopic appendectomy; surgical site infection; body mass index; morbidity

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Appendectomy/*adverse effects
Appendicitis/*surgery
*Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Female
Humans
*Laparoscopy
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Obesity/complications
Odds Ratio
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Surgical Wound Infection/*etiology
Thinness/*complications
Treatment Outcome

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