Safety of 80% vs 30-35% fraction of inspired oxygen in patients undergoing surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Perioperative oxygen administration for adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery: a narrative review

Perioperative oxygen administration, a topic under continuous research and debate in anesthesiology, strives to optimize tissue oxygenation while minimizing the risks associated with hyperoxia and hypoxia. This review provides a thorough overview of the current evidence on the application of perioperative oxygen in adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. The review begins by describing the physiological reasoning for supplemental oxygen during the perioperative period and its potential benefits while also focusing on potential hyperoxia risks. This review critically appraises the existing literature on perioperative oxygen administration, encompassing recent clinical trials and meta-analyses, to elucidate its effect on postoperative results. Future research should concentrate on illuminating the optimal oxygen administration strategies to improve patient outcomes and fine-tune perioperative care protocols for adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery. By compiling and analyzing available evidence, this review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with comprehensive knowledge on the role of perioperative oxygen administration in major noncardiac surgery, ultimately guiding clinical practice and future research endeavors.

Oxygenation targets for endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients (Oxy-TARGET): protocol for a single-centre, open-label randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Preclinical studies have shown that oxygen therapy can improve ischaemic brain tissue oxygen tension, reduce reperfusion injury after revascularisation, promote neuroregeneration and inhibit inflammatory responses potentially exerting a beneficial effect after endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). However, the optimal fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) during EVT under general anaesthesia is currently unknown. Therefore, we are conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of high-concentration oxygen vs low-concentration normobaric oxygen on early neurological function after EVT.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Oxy-TARGET trial is an ongoing prospective, open-label, parallel-design RCT being conducted at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University. It aims to enrol 200 anterior circulation AIS patients undergoing EVT under general anaesthesia between February 2024 and December 2026. Eligible participants are randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive FiO2=80% or FiO2=30% through endotracheal intubation, with the gas flow rate set at 4 L/min. The inspiratory oxygen concentration at the tracheal intubation site (delivered FiO2) was recorded concurrently. The primary outcome is the incidence of early neurological improvement (a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score<10 points at 24±2 hours after EVT). Additional safety and efficacy parameters included the 24-hour ΔNIHSS (baseline NIHSS - NIHSS at 24-hour) score, final infarct volume at 72 hours postrandomisation, 90-day Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, early neurological deterioration, postoperative pulmonary complications, blood gas parameters, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and 90-day mortality.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Following a rigorous review process, Oxy-TARGET has received official approval from the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University (KY2023-257-02). The standardised research protocol adopted in this trial is designed to enhance anaesthesiologists' understanding of respiratory management for AIS patients during EVT. The findings of this study are intended to be disseminated through publications in international peer-reviewed journals, presentations at national and international academic conferences and broad distribution via online platforms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT06224426.

Association between inspired oxygen fraction and development of postoperative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgery: a multicentre retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist to guide oxygen administration during one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery. We hypothesised that high intraoperative inspired oxygen fraction during lung resection surgery requiring one-lung ventilation is independently associated with postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

METHODS

We performed this retrospective multicentre study using two integrated perioperative databases (Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group and Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database) to study adult thoracic surgical procedures using one-lung ventilation. The primary outcome was a composite of PPCs (atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, respiratory failure, reintubation, and prolonged ventilation >48 h). The exposure of interest was high inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2), defined by area under the curve of a FiO2 threshold > 80%. Univariate analysis and logistic regression modelling assessed the association between intraoperative FiO2 and PPCs.

RESULTS

Across four US medical centres, 141/2733 (5.2%) procedures conducted in 2716 patients (55% female; mean age 66 yr) resulted in PPCs. FiO2 was univariately associated with PPCs (adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.33, P=0.012). Logistic regression modelling showed that duration of one-lung ventilation (aOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03-1.41, P=0.022), but not the time-weighted average FiO2 (aOR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P=0.165), was associated with PPCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not support limiting the inspired oxygen fraction for the purpose of reducing postoperative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgery involving one-lung ventilation.

Intraoperative Oxygen Treatment, Oxidative Stress, and Organ Injury Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Liberal oxygen (hyperoxia) is commonly administered to patients during surgery, and oxygenation is known to impact mechanisms of perioperative organ injury.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of intraoperative hyperoxia compared to maintaining normoxia on oxidative stress, kidney injury, and other organ dysfunctions after cardiac surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a participant- and assessor-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted from April 2016 to October 2020 with 1 year of follow-up at a single tertiary care medical center. Adult patients (>18 years) presenting for elective open cardiac surgery without preoperative oxygen requirement, acute coronary syndrome, carotid stenosis, or dialysis were included. Of 3919 patients assessed, 2501 were considered eligible and 213 provided consent. Of these, 12 were excluded prior to randomization and 1 following randomization whose surgery was cancelled, leaving 100 participants in each group.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to hyperoxia (1.00 fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2]) or normoxia (minimum FiO2 to maintain oxygen saturation 95%-97%) throughout surgery.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Participants were assessed for oxidative stress by measuring F2-isoprostanes and isofurans, for acute kidney injury (AKI), and for delirium, myocardial injury, atrial fibrillation, and additional secondary outcomes. Participants were monitored for 1 year following surgery.

Results

Two hundred participants were studied (median [IQR] age, 66 [59-72] years; 140 male and 60 female; 82 [41.0%] with diabetes). F2-isoprostanes and isofurans (primary mechanistic end point) increased on average throughout surgery, from a median (IQR) of 73.3 (53.1-101.1) pg/mL at baseline to a peak of 85.5 (64.0-109.8) pg/mL at admission to the intensive care unit and were 9.2 pg/mL (95% CI, 1.0-17.4; P = .03) higher during surgery in patients assigned to hyperoxia. Median (IQR) change in serum creatinine (primary clinical end point) from baseline to postoperative day 2 was 0.01 mg/dL (-0.12 to 0.19) in participants assigned hyperoxia and -0.01 mg/dL (-0.16 to 0.19) in those assigned normoxia (median difference, 0.03; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.10; P = .45). AKI occurred in 21 participants (21%) in each group. Intraoperative oxygen treatment did not affect additional acute organ injuries, safety events, or kidney, neuropsychological, and functional outcomes at 1 year.

Conclusions

Among adults receiving cardiac surgery, intraoperative hyperoxia increased intraoperative oxidative stress compared to normoxia but did not affect kidney injury or additional measurements of organ injury including delirium, myocardial injury, and atrial fibrillation.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02361944.

Determinants and Practice Variability of Oxygen Administration during Surgery in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The best approaches to supplemental oxygen administration during surgery remain unclear, which may contribute to variation in practice. This study aimed to assess determinants of oxygen administration and its variability during surgery.

METHODS

Using multivariable linear mixed-effects regression, the study measured the associations between intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen and patient, procedure, medical center, anesthesiologist, and in-room anesthesia provider factors in surgical cases of 120 min or longer in adult patients who received general anesthesia with tracheal intubation and were admitted to the hospital after surgery between January 2016 and January 2019 at 42 medical centers across the United States participating in the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group data registry.

RESULTS

The sample included 367,841 cases (median [25th, 75th] age, 59 [47, 69] yr; 51.1% women; 26.1% treated with nitrous oxide) managed by 3,836 anesthesiologists and 15,381 in-room anesthesia providers. Median (25th, 75th) fraction of inspired oxygen was 0.55 (0.48, 0.61), with 6.9% of cases less than 0.40 and 8.7% greater than 0.90. Numerous patient and procedure factors were statistically associated with increased inspired oxygen, notably advanced American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, heart disease, emergency surgery, and cardiac surgery, but most factors had little clinical significance (less than 1% inspired oxygen change). Overall, patient factors only explained 3.5% (95% CI, 3.5 to 3.5%) of the variability in oxygen administration, and procedure factors 4.4% (95% CI, 4.2 to 4.6%). Anesthesiologist explained 7.7% (95% CI, 7.2 to 8.2%) of the variability in oxygen administration, in-room anesthesia provider 8.1% (95% CI, 7.8 to 8.4%), medical center 23.3% (95% CI, 22.4 to 24.2%), and 53.0% (95% CI, 52.4 to 53.6%) was unexplained.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults undergoing surgery with anesthesia and tracheal intubation, supplemental oxygen administration was variable and appeared arbitrary. Most patient and procedure factors had statistical but minor clinical associations with oxygen administration. Medical center and anesthesia provider explained significantly more variability in oxygen administration than patient or procedure factors.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Weaning from mechanical ventilation in the operating room: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are associated with postoperative mortality and prolonged hospital stay. Although intraoperative mechanical ventilation (MV) is a risk factor for PPCs, strategies addressing weaning from MV are understudied. In this systematic review, we evaluated weaning strategies and their effects on postoperative pulmonary outcomes.

METHODS

Our protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022379145). Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials and observational studies of adults weaned from MV in the operating room. Primary outcomes included atelectasis and oxygenation; secondary outcomes included lung volume changes and PPCs. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2) tool, and quality of evidence with the GRADE framework.

RESULTS

Screening identified 14 randomised controlled trials including 1719 patients; seven studies were limited to the weaning phase and seven included interventions not restricted to the weaning phase. Strategies combining pressure support ventilation (PSV) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and low fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) improved atelectasis, oxygenation, and lung volumes. Low FiO2 improved atelectasis and oxygenation but might not improve lung volumes. A fixed-PEEP strategy led to no improvement in oxygenation or atelectasis; however, individualised PEEP with low FiO2 improved oxygenation and might be associated with reduced PPCs. Half of included studies are of moderate or high risk of bias; the overall quality of evidence is low.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited research evaluating weaning from intraoperative MV. Based on low-quality evidence, PSV, individualised PEEP, and low FiO2 may be associated with reduced postoperative pulmonary outcomes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL

PROSPERO (CRD42022379145).

[Influence of anesthesia on surgical site infections]

Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most frequent cause of impaired perioperative wound healing, lead to increased postoperative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay and are therefore a relevant perioperative complication. In addition to numerous measures taken by the surgical departments, there are anesthesiological options that can help to reduce the risk of SSI. In addition to heat, volume and transfusion management these include, for example, the use of antibiotics and the choice of the anesthesia procedure. This article is intended to provide fundamental knowledge on SSI, shows various options for reducing them in the context of anesthesia and evaluates their effectiveness and evidence based on the current state of knowledge.

Associations between the intraoperative fraction of inspired intraoperative oxygen administration and days alive and out of hospital after surgery

Background

There is limited knowledge about the effect of liberal intraoperative oxygen on non-infectious complications and overall recovery from surgery.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated associations between mean intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), and outcome in adults undergoing elective surgery lasting more than 2 h at a large metropolitan New Zealand hospital from 2012 to 2020. Patients were divided into low, medium, and high oxygen groups (FiO2 ≤ 0.4, 0.41-0.59, ≥0.6). The primary outcome was days alive and out of hospital at 90 days (DAOH90). The secondary outcomes were post-operative complications and admission to the ICU.

Results

We identified 15,449 patients who met the inclusion criteria. There was no association between FiO2 and DAOH90 when high FiO2 was analysed according to three groups. Using high FiO2 as the reference group there was an adjusted mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) difference of 0.09 (-0.06 to 0.25) days (P = 0.25) and 0.28 (-0.05 to 0.62) days (P = 0.2) in the intermediate and low oxygen groups, respectively. Low FiO2 was associated with increased surgical site infection: the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for low compared with high FiO2 was 1.53 (95% CI 1.12-2.10). Increasing FiO2 was associated with respiratory complications: the adjusted OR associated with each 10% point increase in FiO2 was 1.17 (95% CI 1.08-1.26) and the incidence of being admitted to an ICU had an adjusted OR of 1.1 (95% CI 1.03-1.18).

Conclusions

We found potential benefits, and risks, associated with liberal intraoperative oxygen administration indicating that randomised controlled trials are warranted.

Individualised, perioperative open-lung ventilation strategy during one-lung ventilation (iPROVE-OLV): a multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

It is uncertain whether individualisation of the perioperative open-lung approach (OLA) to ventilation reduces postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing lung resection. We compared a perioperative individualised OLA (iOLA) ventilation strategy with standard lung-protective ventilation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with one-lung ventilation.

METHODS

This multicentre, randomised controlled trial enrolled patients scheduled for open or video-assisted thoracic surgery using one-lung ventilation in 25 participating hospitals in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and Ecuador. Eligible adult patients (age ≥18 years) were randomly assigned to receive iOLA or standard lung-protective ventilation. Eligible patients (stratified by centre) were randomly assigned online by local principal investigators, with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Treatment with iOLA included an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre to 40 cm H2O of end-inspiratory pressure followed by individualised positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titrated to best respiratory system compliance, and individualised postoperative respiratory support with high-flow oxygen therapy. Participants allocated to standard lung-protective ventilation received combined intraoperative 4 cm H2O of PEEP and postoperative conventional oxygen therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 postoperative days, including atelectasis requiring bronchoscopy, severe respiratory failure, contralateral pneumothorax, early extubation failure (rescue with continuous positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or reintubation), acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary infection, bronchopleural fistula, and pleural empyema. Due to trial setting, data obtained in the operating and postoperative rooms for routine monitoring were not blinded. At 24 h, data were acquired by an investigator blinded to group allocation. All analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03182062, and is complete.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 11, 2018, and June 14, 2022, we enrolled 1380 patients, of whom 1308 eligible patients (670 [434 male, 233 female, and three with missing data] assigned to iOLA and 638 [395 male, 237 female, and six with missing data] to standard lung-protective ventilation) were included in the final analysis. The proportion of patients with the composite outcome of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 postoperative days was lower in the iOLA group compared with the standard lung-protective ventilation group (40 [6%] vs 97 [15%], relative risk 0·39 [95% CI 0·28 to 0·56]), with an absolute risk difference of -9·23 (95% CI -12·55 to -5·92). Recruitment manoeuvre-related adverse events were reported in five patients.

INTERPRETATION

Among patients subjected to lung resection under one-lung ventilation, iOLA was associated with a reduced risk of severe postoperative pulmonary complications when compared with conventional lung-protective ventilation.

FUNDING

Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the European Regional Development Funds.

Impact of hyperoxia on the gut during critical illnesses

Molecular oxygen is typically delivered to patients via oxygen inhalation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), potentially resulting in systemic hyperoxia from liberal oxygen inhalation or localized hyperoxia in the lower body from peripheral venoarterial (VA) ECMO. Consequently, this exposes the gastrointestinal tract to excessive oxygen levels. Hyperoxia can trigger organ damage due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and is associated with increased mortality. The gut and gut microbiome play pivotal roles in critical illnesses and even small variations in oxygen levels can have a dramatic influence on the physiology and ecology of gut microbes. Here, we reviewed the emerging preclinical evidence which highlights how excessive inhaled oxygen can provoke diffuse villous damage, barrier dysfunction in the gut, and gut dysbiosis. The hallmark of this dysbiosis includes the expansion of oxygen-tolerant pathogens (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae) and the depletion of beneficial oxygen-intolerant microbes (e.g., Muribaculaceae). Furthermore, we discussed potential impact of oxygen on the gut in various underlying critical illnesses involving inspiratory oxygen and peripheral VA-ECMO. Currently, the available findings in this area are somewhat controversial, and a consensus has not yet to be reached. It appears that targeting near-physiological oxygenation levels may offer a means to avoid hyperoxia-induced gut injury and hypoxia-induced mesenteric ischemia. However, the optimal oxygenation target may vary depending on special clinical conditions, including acute hypoxia in adults and neonates, as well as particular patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery or VA-ECMO support. Last, we outlined the current challenges and the need for future studies in this area. Insights into this vital ongoing research can assist clinicians in optimizing oxygenation for critically ill patients.

Minimal fixed flow anesthesia for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: A parallel randomized trail

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to test a safety of a fixed minimal (0.5 l/min) fresh gas flow (FGF) anesthesia as a method ensuring adequate oxygenation during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting operations.

Design

A randomized, prospective study.

Setting

Single-center clinical hospital affiliated with a university.

Participants

208 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Interventions

All patients received endotracheal inhalational anesthesia with fixed minimal FGF. Half of them were anesthetized by sevoflurane and another half by isoflurane. The fresh (carrier) gas was pure oxygen in the control groups and a mixture of medical air and oxygen (FiO2 0.8) in the trial groups.

Measurements and main results

In the control groups inhaled oxygen concentration changed minimally during the operation. In the trial groups in 28.8 % of cases inhaled oxygen concentration dropped below preliminary margin (0.4). Body surface area (BSA) (B = 38.7; p = 0.002) and patient's age (B = -0.47; p = 0.004) were retained into final logistic regression model as independent predictors. We divided BSA into subcategories and analyzed data by survival cox regression with Forward LR method. Patients with BSA>2.3 (Exp.B = 183) and BSA [2.2-2.3] (Exp.B = 59) had high chance to get less than 0.4 of inhaled oxygen concentration compared to the patients with BSA <2.0 (p < 0.001).Exp(B) or OR for the patients' age as independent predictor tested in multiple logistic regression was 0.628 In other words, for every year less the patient had 1/0.628 = 1.6 times more chance to reach the preliminary low margin (0.4) of oxygenation.

Conclusions

Fixed minimal FGF 0.5 l/min with FiO2 0.8 may not be sufficient for the younger patients with BSA >2.0 to maintain inhaled oxygen concentration above 0.4. Using pure oxygen as a carrier gas during fixed minimal flow long term anesthesia is much safer and more reliable.

Volatile anaesthetic toxicity in the genetic mitochondrial disease Leigh syndrome

BACKGROUND

Volatile anaesthetics are widely used in human medicine. Although generally safe, hypersensitivity and toxicity can occur in rare cases, such as in certain genetic disorders. Anaesthesia hypersensitivity is well-documented in a subset of mitochondrial diseases, but whether volatile anaesthetics are toxic in this setting has not been explored.

METHODS

We exposed Ndufs4(-/-) mice, a model of Leigh syndrome, to isoflurane (0.2-0.6%), oxygen 100%, or air. Cardiorespiratory function, weight, blood metabolites, and survival were assessed. We exposed post-symptom onset and pre-symptom onset animals and animals treated with the macrophage depleting drug PLX3397/pexidartinib to define the role of overt neuroinflammation in volatile anaesthetic toxicities.

RESULTS

Isoflurane induced hyperlactataemia, weight loss, and mortality in a concentration- and duration-dependent manner from 0.2% to 0.6% compared with carrier gas (O2 100%) or mock (air) exposures (lifespan after 30-min exposures ∗P<0.05 for isoflurane 0.4% vs air or vs O2, ∗∗P<0.005 for isoflurane 0.6% vs air or O2; 60-min exposures ∗∗P<0.005 for isoflurane 0.2% vs air, ∗P<0.05 for isoflurane 0.2% vs O2). Isoflurane toxicity was significantly reduced in Ndufs4(-/-) exposed before CNS disease onset, and the macrophage depleting drug pexidartinib attenuated sequelae of isoflurane toxicity (survival ∗∗∗P=0.0008 isoflurane 0.4% vs pexidartinib plus isoflurane 0.4%). Finally, the laboratory animal standard of care of 100% O2 as a carrier gas contributed significantly to weight loss and reduced survival, but not to metabolic changes, and increased acute mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Isoflurane is toxic in the Ndufs4(-/-) model of Leigh syndrome. Toxic effects are dependent on the status of underlying neurologic disease, largely prevented by the CSF1R inhibitor pexidartinib, and influenced by oxygen concentration in the carrier gas.

Benefits and harms of perioperative high fraction inspired oxygen for surgical site infection prevention: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data of randomised controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

The use of high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) intraoperatively for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) remains controversial. Promising results of early randomised controlled trials (RCT) have been replicated with varying success and subsequent meta-analysis are equivocal. Recent advancements in perioperative care, including the increased use of laparoscopic surgery and pneumoperitoneum and shifts in fluid and temperature management, can affect peripheral oxygen delivery and may explain the inconsistency in reproducibility. However, the published data provides insufficient detail on the participant level to test these hypotheses. The purpose of this individual participant data meta-analysis is to assess the described benefits and harms of intraoperative high FiO2compared with regular (0.21-0.40) FiO2 and its potential effect modifiers.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers will search medical databases and online trial registries, including MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO regional databases, for randomised and quasi-RCT comparing the effect of intraoperative high FiO2 (0.60-1.00) to regular FiO2 (0.21-0.40) on SSI within 90 days after surgery in adult patients. Secondary outcome will be all-cause mortality within the longest available follow-up. Investigators of the identified trials will be invited to collaborate. Data will be analysed with the one-step approach using the generalised linear mixed model framework and the statistical model appropriate for the type of outcome being analysed (logistic and cox regression, respectively), with a random treatment effect term to account for the clustering of patients within studies. The bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials V.2 and the certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Prespecified subgroup analyses include use of mechanical ventilation, nitrous oxide, preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, temperature (<35°C), fluid supplementation (<15 mL/kg/hour) and procedure duration (>2.5 hour).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required. Investigators will deidentify individual participant data before it is shared. The results will be submitted to a peer-review journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018090261.

The effect of high perioperative inspiratory oxygen fraction for abdominal surgery on surgical site infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Guidelines from the World Health Organization strongly recommend the use of a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in adult patients undergoing general anesthesia to reduce surgical site infection (SSI). However, previous meta-analyses reported inconsistent results. We aimed to address this controversy by focusing specifically on abdominal surgery with relatively high risk of SSI. Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched. Randomized trials of abdominal surgery comparing high to low perioperative FiO2 were included, given that the incidence of SSI was reported as an outcome. Meta-analyses of risk ratios (RR) were performed using a fixed effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were employed to explore sources of heterogeneity. We included 27 trials involving 15977 patients. The use of high FiO2 significantly reduced the incidence of SSI (n = 27, risk ratio (RR): 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79, 0.95; I2 = 49%, Z = 3.05). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) revealed that z-curve crossed the trial sequential boundary and data are sufficient. This finding held true for the subgroup of emergency operations (n = 2, RR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.84; I2 = 0%, Z = 2.75), procedures using air as carrier gas (n = 9, RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.91; I2 = 60%, Z = 3.26), and when a high level of FiO2 was maintained for a postoperative 6 h or more (n = 9, RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.83; I2 = 46%, Z = 3.83). Meta-regression revealed no significant interaction between SSI with any covariates including age, sex, body-mass index, diabetes mellitus, duration of surgery, and smoking. Quality of evidence was assessed to be moderate to very low. Our pooled analysis revealed that the application of high FiO2 reduced the incidence of SSI after abdominal operations. Although TSA demonstrated sufficient data and cumulative analysis crossed the TSA boundary, our results should be interpreted cautiously given the low quality of evidence.Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero (CRD42022369212) on October 2022.

Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries

Background

This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80-100%) vs low (21-35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa.

Methods

Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars ($).

Results

High FiO2 may be cost-effective (cheaper and effective). In Nigeria, the average cost for high FiO2 was $216 compared with $222 for low FiO2 leading to a -$6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -$13 to -$1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was $184 compared with $195 for low FiO2 leading to a -$11 (95% CI: -$15 to -$6) difference in costs. In South Africa, the average cost for high FiO2 was $1164 compared with $1257 for low FiO2 leading to a -$93 (95% CI: -$132 to -$65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a -1.05 (95% CI: -1.14 to -0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs.

Conclusion

High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this.

Effects of 30% vs. 60% inspired oxygen fraction during mechanical ventilation on postoperative atelectasis: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is the ongoing debate over the effect of inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) during mechanical ventilation on postoperative atelectasis. We aimed to compare the effects of low (30%) and moderate (60%) FiO2 on postoperative atelectasis. The hypothesis of the study was that 30% FiO2 during mechanical ventilation could reduce postoperative atelectasis volume compared with 60% FiO2.

METHODS

We performed a randomized controlled trial with 120 patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 30% or 60% FiO2 during mechanical ventilation in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the percentage of postoperative atelectasis volume in the total lung measured using chest CT within 30 min after extubation. The secondary outcomes included different aeration region volumes, incidence of clinically significant atelectasis, and oxygenation index.

RESULTS

In total, 113 subjects completed the trial, including 55 and 58 subjects in the 30% and 60% FiO2 groups, respectively. The percentage of the postoperative atelectasis volume in the 30% FiO2 group did not differ from that in the 60% FiO2 group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the atelectasis volume between the two groups after the missing data were imputed by multiple imputation. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the volumes of the over-aeration, normal-aeration, and poor-aeration regions between the groups. No significant differences in the incidence of clinically significant atelectasis or oxygenation index at the end of surgery were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 60% FiO2, the use of 30% FiO2 during mechanical ventilation does not reduce the postoperative atelectasis volume.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ). Identifier: ChiCTR1900021635. Date: 2 March 2019. Principal invetigator: Weidong Gu.

Effects of intraoperative inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2 0.3 vs 0.8) on patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: the CARROT multicenter, cluster-randomized trial

BACKGROUND

To maintain adequate oxygenation is of utmost importance in intraoperative care. However, clinical evidence supporting specific oxygen levels in distinct surgical settings is lacking. This study aimed to compare the effects of 30% and 80% oxygen in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

METHODS

This multicenter trial was conducted in three tertiary hospitals from August 2019 to August 2021. Patients undergoing OPCAB were cluster-randomized to receive either 30% or 80% oxygen intraoperatively, based on the month when the surgery was performed. The primary endpoint was the length of hospital stay. Intraoperative hemodynamic data were also compared.

RESULTS

A total of 414 patients were cluster-randomized. Length of hospital stay was not different in the 30% oxygen group compared to the 80% oxygen group (median, 7.0 days vs 7.0 days; the sub-distribution hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-1.16; P = 0.808). The incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury was significantly higher in the 30% oxygen group than in the 80% oxygen group (30.7% vs 19.4%; odds ratio, 1.94; 95% CI 1.18-3.17; P = 0.036). Intraoperative time-weighted average mixed venous oxygen saturation was significantly higher in the 80% oxygen group (74% vs 64%; P < 0.001). The 80% oxygen group also had a significantly greater intraoperative time-weighted average cerebral regional oxygen saturation than the 30% oxygen group (56% vs 52%; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing OPCAB, intraoperative administration of 80% oxygen did not decrease the length of hospital stay, compared to 30% oxygen, but may reduce postoperative acute kidney injury. Moreover, compared to 30% oxygen, intraoperative use of 80% oxygen improved oxygen delivery in patients undergoing OPCAB. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03945565; April 8, 2019).

[Perioperative hyperoxia-More harmful than beneficial?]

BACKGROUND

The ideal perioperative oxygen concentration is controversial and study results are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

Current knowledge on the beneficial and adverse effects of perioperative hyperoxia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Narrative review RESULTS: Perioperative hyperoxia is unlikely to increase the incidence of atelectasis, pulmonary or cardiovascular complications or mortality. Few and small potential beneficial effects, such as reduction of surgical wound infections or postoperative nausea and vomiting have been demonstrated. According to the current state of evidence, it is recommended to avoid perioperative hyperoxia and to aim for normoxia instead.

Lung ultrasound score-based assessment of postoperative atelectasis in obese patients according to inspired oxygen concentration: A prospective, randomized-controlled study

BACKGROUND

According to a recent meta-analysis, in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30, a high fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) did not increase postoperative atelectasis. However, a high FiO2 generally increases the risk of postoperative atelectasis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of FiO2 on the development of atelectasis in obese patients using the modified lung ultrasound score (LUSS).

METHODS

Patients were assigned to 4 groups: BMI ≥ 30: group A (n = 21) and group B (n = 20) and normal BMI: group C (n = 22) and group D (n = 21). Groups A and C were administered 100% O2 during preinduction and emergence and 50% O2 during anesthesia. Groups B and D received 40% O2 for anesthesia. The modified LUSS was assessed before and 20 min after arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

RESULTS

The difference between the modified LUSS preinduction and PACU was significantly higher in group A with a BMI ≥ 30 (P = .006); however, there was an insignificant difference between groups C and D in the normal BMI group (P = .076).

CONCLUSION

High FiO2 had a greater effect on the development of atelectasis in obese patients than did low FiO2; however, in normal-weight individuals, FiO2 did not have a significant effect on postoperative atelectasis.

Updated meta-analysis on intraoperative inspired fraction of oxygen and the risk of surgical site infection in adults undergoing general and regional anesthesia

This updated meta-analysis aims at exploring whether the use of systematic high vs low intraoperative oxygen fraction (FiO2) may decrease the incidence of postoperative surgical site infection during general (GA) or regional anesthesia (RA). PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from January 1st, 1999 and July, 1st 2022, for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that included patients in a high and low FiO2 groups and reported the incidence of SSI. The meta-analysis was conducted with a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. Thirty studies (24 for GA and 6 for RA) totaling 18,055 patients (15,871 for GA and 2184 for RA) were included. We have low-to-moderate-quality evidence that high FiO2 (mainly 80%) was not associated with a reduction of SSI incidence compared to low FiO2 (mainly 30%) in all patients (RR 0.90, 95%CI 0.79-1.03). Moderate inconsistency existed between studies (I2 = 38%). Subgroup analyses showed a moderate protective effect in patients undergoing GA (RR 0.86, 95%CI 0.75-0.99) (low level of evidence), while high FiO2 was not associated with a reduction of SSI in patients undergoing RA (RR 1.17, 95%CI 0.90-1.52) (moderate level of evidence). Sensitivity analyses restricted to patients ventilated without nitrous oxide (n = 20 studies), to patients operated from abdominal surgeries (n = 21 studies), and to patients suffering from deep SSI (n = 13 studies), all showed the absence of any significant effect of high FiO2. As a conclusion there is no compelling evidence that high FiO2 can improve postoperative patient's outcome on its own when good SSI prevention practices are properly applied. Recent well-designed and adequately powered randomized controlled trials add further weight to these results.

Perioperative hyperoxia and myocardial injury after surgery: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization recommends hyperoxia (80% fraction of inspired oxygen, FiO2) during and for 2-6 hours following surgery to reduce surgical site infection (SSI). However, some studies suggest increased cardiovascular complications with such a high perioperative FiO2. The goal of our study was to compare the appearance of cardiovascular complications in elective adult colorectal surgery comparing the use of FiO2>0.8 versus conventional therapy (FiO2<0.4).

METHODS

We performed a randomized controlled trial in intubated patients undergoing elective major colorectal surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive perioperative FiO2>0.8 or FiO2<0.4. The primary outcome, expressed as Odds Ratio (OR) ±95% Confidence Interval (95%CI), was the incidence of MINS (myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery evaluated for the first 4 postoperative days). Secondary outcomes included MACCE (major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events) up to 30 postoperative days, SSI, other postoperative complications (according to Clavien-Dindo classification) and length of stay.

RESULTS

We included in the final analyses 403 patients. Comparing the FiO2>0.8 and FiO2<0.4 groups, there was no difference in the appearance of MINS (6.0% vs. 10.4%; OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.26-1.14; P=0.945). There were no differences between the groups for important secondary outcomes including MACCE to 30 days, SSI, postoperative complications or length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative hyperoxia therapy (FiO2>0.8) with the aim of decreasing SSI did not increase cardiovascular complications after elective colorectal surgery in a general population.

The association between initial calculated driving pressure at the induction of general anesthesia and composite postoperative oxygen support

PURPOSE

Early discontinuation of postoperative oxygen support (POS) would partially depend on the innate pulmonary physics. We aimed to examine if the initial driving pressure (dP) at the induction of general anesthesia (GA) predicted POS prolongation.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective study using the facility's database. Consecutive subjects over 2 years were studied to determine the change in odds ratio (OR) for POS prolongation of different dP classes at GA induction. The dP (cmH₂O) was calculated as the ratio of tidal volume (mL) over dynamic Crs (mL/cmH₂O) regardless of the respiratory mode. The adjusted OR was calculated using the logistic regression model of multivariate analysis. Moreover, we performed a secondary subgroup analysis of age and the duration of GA.

RESULTS

We included 5,607 miscellaneous subjects. Old age, high scores of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status, initial dP, and long GA duration were associated with prolonged POS. The dP at the induction of GA (7.78 [6.48, 9.45] in median [interquartile range]) was categorized into five classes. With the dP group of 6.5-8.3 cmH₂O as the reference, high dPs of 10.3-13 cmH₂O and ≥ 13 cmH₂O were associated with significant prolongation of POS (adjusted OR, 1.62 [1.19, 2.20], p = 0.002 and 1.92 [1.20, 3.05], p = 0.006, respectively). The subgroup analysis revealed that the OR for prolonged POS of high dPs disappeared in the aged and ≥ 6 h anesthesia time subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

High initial dPs ≥ 10 cmH₂O at GA induction predicted longer POS than those of approximately 7 cmH₂O. High initial dPs were, however, a secondary factor for prolongation of postoperative hypoxemia in old age and prolonged surgery.

Practice of oxygen use in anesthesiology – a survey of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

Background

Oxygen is one of the most commonly used drugs by anesthesiologists. The World Health Organization (WHO) gave recommendations regarding perioperative oxygen administration, but the practice of oxygen use in anesthesia, critical emergency, and intensive care medicine remains unclear.

Methods

We conducted an online survey among members of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC). The questionnaire consisted of 46 queries appraising the perioperative period, emergency medicine and in the intensive care, knowledge about current recommendations by the WHO, oxygen toxicity, and devices for supplemental oxygen therapy.

Results

Seven hundred ninety-eight ESAIC members (2.1% of all ESAIC members) completed the survey. Most respondents were board-certified and worked in hospitals with > 500 beds. The majority affirmed that they do not use specific protocols for oxygen administration. WHO recommendations are unknown to 42% of respondents, known but not followed by 14%, and known and followed by 24% of them. Respondents prefer inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO₂) ≥80% during induction and emergence from anesthesia, but intraoperatively < 60% for maintenance, and higher FiO₂ in patients with diseased than non-diseased lungs. Postoperative oxygen therapy is prescribed more commonly according to peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), but shortage of devices still limits monitoring. When monitoring is used, SpO₂ ≤ 95% is often targeted. In critical emergency medicine, oxygen is used frequently in patients aged ≥80 years, or presenting with respiratory distress, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In the intensive care unit, oxygen is mostly targeted at 96%, especially in patients with pulmonary diseases.

Conclusions

The current practice of perioperative oxygen therapy among respondents does not follow WHO recommendations or current evidence, and access to postoperative monitoring devices impairs the individualization of oxygen therapy. Further research and additional teaching about use of oxygen are necessary.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01884-2.

Intraoperative Inspiratory Oxygen Fraction and Myocardial Injury After Noncardiac Surgery: Results From an International Observational Study in Relation to Recent Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Two trials reported that a high inspiratory oxygen fraction (F io2 ) does not promote myocardial infarction or death. Observational studies can provide larger statistical strength, but associations can be due to unobserved confounding. Therefore, we evaluated the association between intraoperative F io2 and cardiovascular complications in a large international cohort study to see if spurious associations were observed.

METHODS

We included patients from the Vascular events In noncardiac Surgery patIents cOhort evaluatioN (VISION) study, who were ≥45 years of age, scheduled for overnight hospital admission, and had intraoperative F io2 recorded. The primary outcome was myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS), and secondary outcomes included mortality and pneumonia, all within 30 postoperative days. Data were analyzed with logistic regression, adjusted for many baseline cardiovascular risk factors, and illustrated in relation to findings from 2 recent controlled trials.

RESULTS

We included 6588 patients with mean age of 62 years of whom 49% had hypertension. The median intraoperative F io2 was 0.46 (5%-95% range, 0.32-0.94). There were 808 patients (12%) with MINS. Each 0.10 increase in median F io2 was associated with a confounder-adjusted increase in odds for MINS: odds ratio (OR), 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.23; P < .0001). MINS occurred in contrast with similar frequencies and no significant difference in controlled trials (2240 patients, 194 events), in which patients were given 80% vs 30% oxygen. Mortality was 2.4% and was not significantly associated with a median F io2 (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97-1.19 per 0.10 increase; P = .18), and 2.9% of patients had pneumonia (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.95-1.15 per 0.10 increase; P = .34).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an association between intraoperative F io2 and risk of myocardial injury within 30 days after noncardiac surgery, which contrasts with recent controlled clinical trials. F io2 was not significantly associated with mortality or pneumonia. Unobserved confounding presumably contributed to the observed association between F io2 and myocardial injury that is not supported by trials.

Effectiveness of supplemental oxygenation to prevent surgical site infections: A systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

to assess the effectiveness of supplemental oxygenation with high FiO2 when compared to conventional FiO2 in the prevention of surgical site infection.

METHOD

an effectiveness systematic review with meta-analysis conducted in five international databases and portals. The research was guided by the following question: Which is the effectiveness of supplemental oxygenation with high FiO2 (greater than 80%) when compared to conventional FiO2 (from 30% to 35%) in the prevention of surgical site infections in adults?

RESULTS

fifteen randomized clinical trials were included. Although all the subgroups presented a general effect in favor of the intervention, colorectal surgeries had this relationship evidenced with statistical significance (I2=10%;X2=4.42; p=0.352).

CONCLUSION

inspired oxygen fractions greater than 80% during the perioperative period in colorectal surgeries have proved to be effective to prevent surgical site infections, reducing their incidence by up to 27% (p=0.006). It is suggested to conduct new studies in groups of patients subjected to surgeries from other specialties, such as cardiac and vascular. PROSPERO registration No.: 178,453.

Hyperoxia Reprogrammes Microvascular Endothelial Cell Response to Hypoxia in an Organ-Specific Manner

Organ function relies on microvascular networks to maintain homeostatic equilibrium, which varies widely in different organs and during different physiological challenges. The endothelium role in this critical process can only be evaluated in physiologically relevant contexts. Comparing the responses to oxygen flux in primary murine microvascular EC (MVEC) obtained from brain and lung tissue reveals that supra-physiological oxygen tensions can compromise MVEC viability. Brain MVEC lose mitochondrial activity and undergo significant alterations in electron transport chain (ETC) composition when cultured under standard, non-physiological atmospheric oxygen levels. While glycolytic capacity of both lung and brain MVEC are unchanged by environmental oxygen, the ability to trigger a metabolic shift when oxygen levels drop is greatly compromised following exposure to hyperoxia. This is particularly striking in MVEC from the brain. This work demonstrates that the unique metabolism and function of organ-specific MVEC (1) can be reprogrammed by external oxygen, (2) that this reprogramming can compromise MVEC survival and, importantly, (3) that ex vivo modelling of endothelial function is significantly affected by culture conditions. It further demonstrates that physiological, metabolic and functional studies performed in non-physiological environments do not represent cell function in situ, and this has serious implications in the interpretation of cell-based pre-clinical models.

Effect of Supplemental Perioperative Oxygen on SSI Among Adults with Lower-Extremity Fractures at Increased Risk for Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Supplemental perioperative oxygen is a low-cost intervention theorized to reduce the risk of surgical site infections, but its effect among patients undergoing surgery for a tibial plateau, tibial pilon, or calcaneal fracture is unknown. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 , 80%) versus low FiO 2 (30%) in reducing surgical site infections in these patients.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted at 29 U.S. trauma centers. We enrolled 1,231 patients who were 18 to 80 years of age and had a tibial plateau, tibial pilon, or calcaneal fracture and were thought to be at elevated risk for infection based on their injury characteristics. Patients were randomized to receive 80% FiO 2 (treatment group) or 30% FiO 2 (control group) in the operating room and for up to 2 hours in the recovery room. The primary outcome was a composite of either deep surgical site infection (treated with surgery) or superficial surgical site infection (treated with antibiotics alone) within 182 days following definitive fixation. Secondary outcomes included these surgical site infections at 90 and 365 days after surgery.

RESULTS

The modified intention-to-treat analysis included 1,136 patients with 94% of expected follow-up through 182 days. Surgical site infection occurred in 40 (7.0%) of the patients in the treatment group and 60 (10.7%) of the patients in the control group (relative risk [RR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.96; risk difference [RD], -3.8%; 95% CI, -7.2% to -0.4%; p = 0.03). The treatment intervention demonstrated a similar effect at 90 days (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.93) and 365 days (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.87). Secondary analyses demonstrated that the effect was driven by a reduction in superficial surgical site infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Among tibial plateau, pilon, or calcaneal fracture patients at elevated risk for surgical site infection, a high perioperative FiO 2 lowered the risk of surgical site infection. The findings support the use of this intervention, although the benefit appears to mostly be in reduction of superficial infections.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Perioperative oxygen therapy: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Oxygen is routinely given to patients during and after surgery. Perioperative oxygen administration has been proposed as a potential strategy to prevent and treat hypoxaemia and reduce complications, such as surgical site infections, pulmonary complications and mortality. However, uncertainty exists as to which strategies in terms of amount, delivery devices and timing are clinically effective. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses is to answer the research question, 'For which types of surgery, at which stages of care, in which sub-groups of patients and delivered under what conditions are different types of perioperative oxygen therapy clinically effective?'.

METHODS

We will search key electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, Epistemonikos, PROSPERO, the INAHTA International HTA Database and DARE archives) for systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials comparing perioperative oxygen strategies. Each review will be mapped according to type of surgery, surgical pathway timepoints and clinical comparison. The highest quality reviews with the most comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of relevant literature will be chosen as anchoring reviews. Standardised data will be extracted from each chosen review, including definition of oxygen therapy, summaries of interventions and comparators, patient population, surgical characteristics and assessment of overall certainty of evidence. For clinical outcomes and adverse events, the overall pooled findings and results of subgroup and sensitivity analyses (where available) will be extracted. Trial-level data will be extracted for surgical site infections, mortality, and potential trial-level effect modifiers such as risk of bias, outcome definition and type of surgery to facilitate quantitative data analysis. This analysis will adopt a multiple indication review approach with panoramic meta-analysis using review-level data and meta-regression using trial-level data. An evidence map will be produced to summarise our findings and highlight any research gaps.

DISCUSSION

There is a need to provide a panoramic overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses describing peri-operative oxygen practice to both inform clinical practice and identify areas of ongoing uncertainty, where further research may be required. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021272361.

Fraud and retraction in perioperative medicine publications: what we learned and what can be implemented to prevent future recurrence

Fraud in medical publications is an increasing concern. In particular, disciplines related to perioperative medicine-including anaesthesia and critical care-currently hold the highest rankings in terms of retracted papers for research misconduct. The dominance of this dubious achievement is attributable to a limited number of researchers who have repeatedly committed scientific fraud. In the last three decades, six researchers have authored 421 of the 475 papers retracted in perioperative medicine. This narrative review reports on six cases of fabricated publication in perioperative medicine that resulted in the paper's retraction. The process that led to the unveiling of the fraud, the impact on clinical practice, and changes in regulatory mechanisms of scientific companies and governmental agencies' policies are also presented. Fraud in medical publications is a growing concern that affects perioperative medicine requiring a substantial number of papers to be retracted. The continuous control elicited by readers, by local institutional review boards, scientific journal reviewers, scientific societies and government agencies can play an important role in preserving the 'pact of trust' between authors, professionals and ultimately the relationship between doctors and patients.

Fraction of Inspired Oxygen During General Anesthesia for Non-Cardiac Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Controversy exists regarding the effects of a high versus a low intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) in adults undergoing general anesthesia. This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated the effect of a high versus a low FiO₂ on postoperative outcomes.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched on March 22, 2022 for randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of different FiO₂ levels in adults undergoing general anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery. Two investigators independently reviewed studies for relevance, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Meta‐analyses were performed for relevant outcomes, and potential effect measure modification was assessed in subgroup analyses and meta‐regression. The evidence certainty was evaluated using GRADE.

Results

This review included 25 original trials investigating the effect of a high (mostly 80%) versus a low (mostly 30%) FiO₂. Risk of bias was intermediate for all trials. A high FiO₂ did not result in a significant reduction in surgical site infections (OR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.81–1.02 [p = .10]). No effect was found for all other included outcomes, including mortality (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.90–1.79 [p = .18]) and hospital length of stay (mean difference = 0.03 days, 95% CI −0.25 to 0.30 [p = .84). Results from subgroup analyses and meta‐regression did not identify any clear effect modifiers across outcomes. The certainty of evidence (GRADE) was rated as low for most outcomes.

Conclusions

In adults undergoing general anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery, a high FiO₂ did not improve outcomes including surgical site infections, length of stay, or mortality. However, the certainty of the evidence was assessed as low.

Efectividad de la oxigenación suplementaria para prevenir la infección del sitio quirúrgico: revisión sistemática con metaanálisis

Resumen Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la oxigenación suplementaria con FiO2 elevada en comparación con la FiO2 convencional para prevenir la infección del sitio quirúrgico. Método: revisión sistemática de eficacia con metaanálisis en cinco bases de datos y portales internacionales. La investigación se guio por la pregunta: ¿Qué tan eficaz es la oxigenación suplementaria con FiO2 alta (más del 80%) en comparación con la FiO2 convencional (del 30 al 35%) para prevenir la infección del sitio quirúrgico en adultos? Resultados: se incluyeron quince ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Aunque todos los subgrupos mostraron un efecto general a favor de la intervención, en las cirugías colorrectales esa relación tenía significancia estadística (I2=10%; X²=4,42; p=0,352). Conclusión: una fracción inspirada de oxígeno superior al 80% durante el perioperatorio en cirugías colorrectales ha demostrado ser eficaz en la prevención de la infección del sitio quirúrgico, reduciendo su incidencia hasta en un 27% (p=0,006). Se sugiere realizar más estudios en grupos de pacientes sometidos a cirugías en otras especialidades, como cardiaca y vascular. Registro PROSPERO: 178453.

Dangers of hyperoxia

Oxygen (O2) toxicity remains a concern, particularly to the lung. This is mainly related to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Supplemental O2, i.e. inspiratory O2 concentrations (FIO2) > 0.21 may cause hyperoxaemia (i.e. arterial (a) PO2 > 100 mmHg) and, subsequently, hyperoxia (increased tissue O2 concentration), thereby enhancing ROS formation. Here, we review the pathophysiology of O2 toxicity and the potential harms of supplemental O2 in various ICU conditions. The current evidence base suggests that PaO2 > 300 mmHg (40 kPa) should be avoided, but it remains uncertain whether there is an "optimal level" which may vary for given clinical conditions. Since even moderately supra-physiological PaO2 may be associated with deleterious side effects, it seems advisable at present to titrate O2 to maintain PaO2 within the normal range, avoiding both hypoxaemia and excess hyperoxaemia.

Intraoperative Fractions of Inspiratory Oxygen Are Associated With Recurrence-Free Survival After Elective Cancer Surgery

Background: Choice of the fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO₂) is controversial. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate whether intraoperative FiO₂ was associated with recurrence-free survival after elective cancer surgery.

Methods and Analysis: In this single-center, retrospective study, we analyzed 1,084 patients undergoing elective resection of pancreatic (n = 652), colorectal (n = 405), or hepatic cancer (n = 27) at Heidelberg University Hospital between 2009 and 2016. Intraoperative mean FiO₂ values were calculated. For unstratified analyses, the study cohort was equally divided into a low- and a high-FiO₂ group. For cancer-stratified analyses, this division was done within cancer-strata. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival until the last known follow-up. Groups were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis. A stratified log rank test was used to control for different FiO₂ levels and survival times between the cancer strata. Cox-regression analyses were used to control for covariates. Sepsis, reoperations, surgical-site infections, and cardiovascular events during hospital stay and overall survival were secondary outcomes.

Results: Median FiO₂ was 40.9% (Q1–Q3, 38.3–42.9) in the low vs. 50.4% (Q1–Q3, 47.4–54.7) in the high-FiO₂ group. Median follow-up was 3.28 (Q1–Q3, 1.68–4.97) years. Recurrence-free survival was considerable higher in the high-FiO₂ group (p < 0.001). This effect was also confirmed when stratified for the different tumor entities (p = 0.007). In colorectal cancer surgery, increased FiO₂ was independently associated with increased recurrence-free survival. The hazard for the primary outcome decreased by 3.5% with every 1% increase in FiO₂. The effect was not seen in pancreatic cancer surgery and we did not find differences in any of the secondary endpoints.

Conclusions: Until definite evidence from large-scale trials is available and in the absence of relevant clinical conditions warranting specific FiO₂ values, perioperative care givers should aim for an intraoperative FiO₂ of 50% in abdominal cancer surgery as this might benefit oncological outcomes.

Evidence-based Prevention of Surgical Site Infection

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains an important complication of surgery. SSI is estimated to affect 2% to 5% of all surgical patients. Local and national efforts have resulted in significant improvements in the incidence of SSI. Familiarity with evidence surrounding high-quality SSI-reduction strategies is desirable. There exists strong evidence for mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation in colorectal surgery, smoking cessation before elective surgery, prophylactic antibiotics, chlorhexidine-based skin antisepsis, and maintenance of normothermia throughout the perioperative period to reduce SSI. Use of other practices should be determined by the operating surgeon and/or local hospital policy.

Revisited Hyperoxia Pathophysiology in the Perioperative Setting: A Narrative Review

The widespread use of high-dose oxygen, to avoid perioperative hypoxemia along with WHO-recommended intraoperative hyperoxia to reduce surgical site infections, is an established clinical practice. However, growing pathophysiological evidence has demonstrated that hyperoxia exerts deleterious effects on many organs, mainly mediated by reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this narrative review was to present the pathophysiology of perioperative hyperoxia on surgical wound healing, on systemic macro and microcirculation, on the lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, gut, coagulation, and infections. We reported here that a high systemic oxygen supply could induce oxidative stress with inflammation, vasoconstriction, impaired microcirculation, activation of hemostasis, acute and chronic lung injury, coronary blood flow disturbances, cerebral ischemia, surgical anastomosis impairment, gut dysbiosis, and altered antibiotics susceptibility. Clinical studies have provided rather conflicting results on the definitions and outcomes of hyperoxic patients, often not speculating on the biological basis of their results, while this review highlighted what happens when supranormal PaO₂ values are reached in the surgical setting. Based on the assumptions analyzed in this study, we may suggest that the maintenance of PaO₂ within physiological ranges, avoiding unnecessary oxygen administration, may be the basis for good clinical practice.

Effects of high versus low inspiratory oxygen fraction on postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether high perioperative inspired oxygen fraction (FiO₂) compared with low FiO₂ has more deleterious postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing non-thoracic surgery under general anesthesia.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

Operating room, postoperative recovery room and surgical ward.

PATIENTS

Surgical patients under general anesthesia.

INTERVENTION

High perioperative FiO₂ (≥0.8) vs. low FiO₂ (≤0.5).

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was mortality within 30 days. Secondary outcomes were pulmonary outcomes (atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, postoperative pulmonary complications [PPCs], and postoperative oxygen parameters), intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and length of hospital stay. A subgroup analysis was performed to explore the treatment effect by body mass index (BMI).

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-six trials with a total 4991 patients were studied. The mortality in the high FiO₂ group did not differ from that in the low FiO₂ group (risk ratio [RR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-1.97, P = 0.810). Nor were there any significant differences between the groups in such outcomes as pneumonia (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.74-1.92, P = 0.470), respiratory failure (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.82-2.04, P = 0.270), PPCs (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.69-1.59, P = 0.830), ICU admission (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.55-1.60, P = 0.810), and length of hospital stay (mean difference [MD] 0.27 d, 95% CI -0.28-0.81, P = 0.340). The high FiO₂ was associated with postoperative atelectasis more often (risk ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.00-1.62, P = 0.050), and lower postoperative arterial partial oxygen pressure (MD -5.03 mmHg, 95% CI -7.90- -2.16, P < 0.001)_. In subgroup analysis of BMI >30 kg/m², these parameters were similarly affected between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of high FiO₂ compared to low FiO₂ did not affect the short-term mortality, although it may increase the incidence of atelectasis in adult, non-thoracic patients undergoing surgical procedures. Nor were there any significant differences in other secondary outcomes.

Study design for a randomized crossover study investigating myocardial strain analysis in patients with coronary artery disease at hyperoxia and normoxemia prior to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (StrECHO-O2)

BACKGROUND

Supplemental oxygen (O₂) is used routinely during anesthesia. In the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, it has been established that hyperoxia is to be avoided, whereas information on benefit and risk of hyperoxia in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) remain scarce, especially in the setting of general anesthesia. This study will compare the immediate effects of normoxemia and hyperoxia on cardiac function, with a primary focus on changes in peak longitudinal left-ventricular strain, in anesthetized stable chronic CAD patients using peri-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

METHODS

A single-center randomized cross-over clinical trial will be conducted, enrolling 106 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. After the induction of anesthesia and prior to the start of surgery, cardiac function will be assessed by 2D and 3D TEE. Images will be acquired at two different oxygen states for each patient in randomized order. The fraction of inspired oxygen (F_IO₂) will be titrated to a normoxemic state (oxygen saturation of 95-98%) and adjusted to a hyperoxic state (F_IO₂ = 0.8). TEE images will be analyzed in a blinded manner for standard cardiac function and strain parameters.

CONCLUSION

By using myocardial strain assessed by TEE, early and subtle signs of biventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction can be promptly measured intraoperatively prior to the onset of severe signs of ischemia. The results may help anesthesiologists to better understand the effects of F_IO₂ on cardiac function and potentially tailor oxygen therapy to patients with CAD undergoing general anesthesia.

Exploring Hyperoxia Effects in Cancer-From Perioperative Clinical Data to Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Increased inspiratory oxygen concentration is constantly used during the perioperative period of cancer patients to prevent the potential development of hypoxemia and to provide an adequate oxygen transport to the organs, tissues and cells. Although the primary tumours are surgically removed, the effects of perioperative hyperoxia exposure on distal micro-metastases and on circulating cancer cells can potentially play a role in cancer progression or recurrence. In clinical trials, hyperoxia seems to increase the rate of postoperative complications and, by delaying postoperative recovery, it can alter the return to intended oncological treatment. The effects of supplemental oxygen on the long-term mortality of surgical cancer patients offer, at this point, conflicting results. In experimental studies, hyperoxia effects on cancer biology were explored following multiple pathways. In cancer cell cultures and animal models, hyperoxia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the oxidative stress. These can be followed by the induction of the expression of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other molecules involved in angiogenesis and by the promotion of various degrees of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Oxygen therapy for critically Ill and post-operative patients

Nearly all patients receiving treatment in a peri-operative or intensive care setting receive supplemental oxygen therapy. It is biologically plausible that the dose of oxygen used might affect important patient outcomes. Most peri-operative research has focussed on oxygen regimens that target higher than normal blood oxygen levels. Whereas, intensive care research has mostly focussed on conservative oxygen regimens which assiduously avoid exposure to higher than normal blood oxygen levels. While such conservative oxygen therapy is preferred for spontaneously breathing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the optimal oxygen regimen in other patient groups is not clear. Some data suggest that conservative oxygen therapy might be preferred for patients with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. However, unless oxygen supplies are constrained, routinely aggressively down-titrating oxygen in either the peri-operative or intensive care setting is not necessary based on available data. Targeting higher than normal levels of oxygen might reduce surgical site infections in the perioperative setting and/or improve outcomes for intensive care patients with sepsis but further research is required and available data are not sufficiently strong to warrant routine implementation of such oxygen strategies.

Intraoperative Oxygen Concentration and Postoperative Delirium After Laparoscopic Gastric and Colorectal Malignancies Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Purpose

Postoperative delirium (POD) is common in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal malignancies. POD may be affected by different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different FiO₂ on POD.

Patients and Methods

A randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed in Qingdao Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University. A total of 662 patients aged 65 to 85 years old underwent isolated laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, radical resection of colon cancer, or radical resection of rectal cancer only. A random number table method was used to divide the patients into two groups: 40% FiO₂ (group A) and 80% FiO₂ (group B). The primary endpoint was the incidence of POD, which was assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) twice daily during the first 7 postoperative days, and POD severity was measured by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). The secondary endpoints were the intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂), Bispectral (BIS) index, invasive arterial blood pressure (IABP), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (P_ETCO₂), the number of atelectasis cases and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores on days 1-7 after surgery.

Results

The incidence of POD was 19.37% (122/630), including 20.38% (64/314) in group A and 18.35% (58/316) in group B. No statistical significance was found in the incidence of POD between the two groups (P > 0.05); compared with group B, SpO₂, rSO₂ and PaO₂ decreased at T₂ to T₄ time point (P < 0.01), and the incidence of postoperative atelectasis decreased (P < 0.05) in group A.

Conclusion

The incidence of POD was not significantly affected by different FiO₂ and the incidence of postoperative atelectasis was decreased at low FiO₂.

Target arterial PO2 according to the underlying pathology: a mini-review of the available data in mechanically ventilated patients

There is an ongoing discussion whether hyperoxia, i.e. ventilation with high inspiratory O2 concentrations (FIO2), and the consecutive hyperoxaemia, i.e. supraphysiological arterial O2 tensions (PaO2), have a place during the acute management of circulatory shock. This concept is based on experimental evidence that hyperoxaemia may contribute to the compensation of the imbalance between O2 supply and requirements. However, despite still being common practice, its use is limited due to possible oxygen toxicity resulting from the increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) limits, especially under conditions of ischaemia/reperfusion. Several studies have reported that there is a U-shaped relation between PaO2 and mortality/morbidity in ICU patients. Interestingly, these mostly retrospective studies found that the lowest mortality coincided with PaO2 ~ 150 mmHg during the first 24 h of ICU stay, i.e. supraphysiological PaO2 levels. Most of the recent large-scale retrospective analyses studied general ICU populations, but there are major differences according to the underlying pathology studied as well as whether medical or surgical patients are concerned. Therefore, as far as possible from the data reported, we focus on the need of mechanical ventilation as well as the distinction between the absence or presence of circulatory shock. There seems to be no ideal target PaO2 except for avoiding prolonged exposure (> 24 h) to either hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 55-60 mmHg) or supraphysiological (PaO2 > 100 mmHg). Moreover, the need for mechanical ventilation, absence or presence of circulatory shock and/or the aetiology of tissue dysoxia, i.e. whether it is mainly due to impaired macro- and/or microcirculatory O2 transport and/or disturbed cellular O2 utilization, may determine whether any degree of hyperoxaemia causes deleterious side effects.

Intraoperative Oxygen Concentration and Neurocognition after Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence suggesting detrimental effects of perioperative hyperoxia, hyperoxygenation remains commonplace in cardiac surgery. Hyperoxygenation may increase oxidative damage and neuronal injury leading to potential differences in postoperative neurocognition. Therefore, this study tested the primary hypothesis that intraoperative normoxia, as compared to hyperoxia, reduces postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older patients having cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A randomized double-blind trial was conducted in patients aged 65 yr or older having coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. A total of 100 patients were randomized to one of two intraoperative oxygen delivery strategies. Normoxic patients (n = 50) received a minimum fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.35 to maintain a Pao2 above 70 mmHg before and after cardiopulmonary bypass and between 100 and 150 mmHg during cardiopulmonary bypass. Hyperoxic patients (n = 50) received a fraction of inspired oxygen of 1.0 throughout surgery, irrespective of Pao2 levels. The primary outcome was neurocognitive function measured on postoperative day 2 using the Telephonic Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Secondary outcomes included neurocognitive function at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as postoperative delirium, mortality, and durations of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The median age was 71 yr (interquartile range, 68 to 75), and the median baseline neurocognitive score was 17 (16 to 19). The median intraoperative Pao2 was 309 (285 to 352) mmHg in the hyperoxia group and 153 (133 to 168) mmHg in the normoxia group (P < 0.001). The median Telephonic Montreal Cognitive Assessment score on postoperative day 2 was 18 (16 to 20) in the hyperoxia group and 18 (14 to 20) in the normoxia group (P = 0.42). Neurocognitive function at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as secondary outcomes, were not statistically different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized controlled trial, intraoperative normoxia did not reduce postoperative cognitive dysfunction when compared to intraoperative hyperoxia in older patients having cardiac surgery. Although the optimal intraoperative oxygenation strategy remains uncertain, the results indicate that intraoperative hyperoxia does not worsen postoperative cognition after cardiac surgery.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Increased inspired oxygen concentration does not adversely affect oxidative stress and the resolution of inflammation during reperfusion in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery

The level of inspired oxygen during surgery may modify free radical release, and reperfusion injury. This controlled trial examined the effect of inspired oxygen on F₂-isoprostanes (F₂-IsoPs), isofurans (IsoFs), and specialized mediators of inflammation resolution (SPM) during knee replacement surgery. Patients received either 30% O₂ (control n = 21), 50% O₂ (n = 20), or 80% O₂ (n = 19) O₂, in a parallel design. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured throughout the surgery and F₂-IsoPs, IsoFs and SPM were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The effect of O₂ on F₂-IsoPs and IsoFs was examined during tourniquet inflation and after tourniquet release. SPM were measured at baseline and the end of surgery. There was a significant interaction between O₂ and Hb concentrations with plasma IsoFs during tourniquet inflation. An increase in plasma IsoFs over time was attenuated in the 80% O₂ group (p=.012) compared with the 30% O₂ group after adjusting for Hb concentration. After tourniquet release, plasma F₂-IsoPs were significantly lower in the 50% and 80% O₂ groups (p=.009 and p=.001, respectively) compared with the 30% O₂ group after adjustment for Hb concentration. The SPM RvD2 and RvE2 were increased with 50% and 80% O₂ (RvD2, p=.014 and p=.002, respectively; RvE2, p=.032 with 50% O₂) compared with the 30% O₂ group, in analyses that corrected for Hb concentration. We have shown for the first time that higher O₂ levels may be beneficial in reducing oxidative stress and increasing resolution of inflammation during surgery that involves reperfusion after application of a tourniquet.

Perioperative Lung Protection: Clinical Implications

In the past, it was common practice to use a high tidal volume (VT) during intraoperative ventilation, because this reduced the need for high oxygen fractions to compensate for the ventilation-perfusion mismatches due to atelectasis in a time when it was uncommon to use positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the operating room. Convincing and increasing evidence for harm induced by ventilation with a high VT has emerged over recent decades, also in the operating room, and by now intraoperative ventilation with a low VT is a well-adopted approach. There is less certainty about the level of PEEP during intraoperative ventilation. Evidence for benefit and harm of higher PEEP during intraoperative ventilation is at least contradicting. While some PEEP may prevent lung injury through reduction of atelectasis, higher PEEP is undeniably associated with an increased risk of intraoperative hypotension that frequently requires administration of vasoactive drugs. The optimal level of inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) during surgery is even more uncertain. The suggestion that hyperoxemia prevents against surgical site infections has not been confirmed in recent research. In addition, gas absorption-induced atelectasis and its association with adverse outcomes like postoperative pulmonary complications actually makes use of a high FIO2 less attractive. Based on the available evidence, we recommend the use of a low VT of 6-8 mL/kg predicted body weight in all surgery patients, and to restrict use of a high PEEP and high FIO2 during intraoperative ventilation to cases in which hypoxemia develops. Here, we prefer to first increase FIO2 before using high PEEP.

O2 No Longer the Go2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Effects of Giving Perioperative Oxygen Therapy of 30% FiO2 to 80% FiO2 on Surgical Site Infection and Mortality

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of perioperative high (80%) versus low (30%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) on surgical site infection (SSI) and mortality in adult surgical patients.

BACKGROUND

The routine use of high fraction perioperative oxygen in patients is "standard of care" and recommended by the World Health Organisation; however, whether there is truly any benefit to this therapy has been challenged by some authors. Questions have also been raised about the possibility of harm from oxygen therapy.

METHOD

Randomised control trials comparing high-to-low FiO₂ were located by searching MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL and Web of Science. The primary outcomes were SSI up to 15 days and up to any time point postoperatively and mortality up to 30 days. The data were analysed using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve studies involving 10,212 participants were included. At 15 days postoperatively, and at the longest point of post-operative follow-up, there was no statistically significant reduction in the risk of SSI when comparing patients who received a perioperative FiO₂ of 30% to those with an FiO₂ of 80% (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.00-2.01, p 0.05 and RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.00-1.51, p 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the 30% FiO₂ and the 80% FiO₂ groups (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.56-2.22, p 0.76).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in post-operative SSI or mortality when comparing patients receiving an FiO₂ of 80% to those receiving an FiO₂ of 30%.