Role of preoperative nutritional assessment on early postoperative wound infection

Objectives

To study the prevalence of malnutrition in surgical patients. To identify the patients at risk of early postoperative wound infection. To observe the pattern of wound healing in various groups of surgical patients based on their preoperative nutritional status.

Design

A descriptive study in the surgical department at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan.

Participants

One hundred patients presenting to surgical OPD since 1 January 2001.

Methods

Serum albumin levels and the BMI of these patients were evaluated and patients were assigned to a group according to their nutritional status.

Main outcome measures

Adding all patients in groups II, III, and IV and dividing by the total number of patients in the study determined the prevalence of malnutrition. Wounds of all patients were examined on the third postoperative day and the wound category was recorded. Wound infection was observed in various nutritional status groups.

Results

The prevalence of malnutrition in surgical patients is 70%. Wound infection was present in all groups of patients except group I. Patients in groups II and IV had more severe wound infection.

Conclusion

Malnutrition is common in surgical patients. Hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased risk of early postoperative wound infection. The BMI has no direct effect on early postoperative wound infection. Further studies are needed to explore the role of other parameters of nutritional assessment on early postoperative wound infection in patients with different demographic factors.