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

Abstract

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.