Evidence Summary
What is an Evidence Summary?
Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisAbdominal laparoscopic surgery reduces surgical infections by 70-80% compared with open surgery in obese patients
Shabanzadeh DM, Sorensen LT. Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2012;256:934-45.
Review question
What is the effect of laparoscopic surgery on surgical infections in obese patients?
Background
Laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery uses a lighted tube (laparoscope) with a tiny camera and specialized tools. The tube is inserted via small incisions (cuts) in the abdomen. Incisions are between 0.5 and 1.5 cm.
Traditional or open surgery uses larger incisions.
In general surgery, obesity increases the chances for surgical site infection.
For non-obese patients, laparoscopic surgery has fewer post-surgery complications and a shorter hospital stay than open surgery.
How the review was done
This summary is based on a systematic review of 8 randomized controlled trials and 36 observational studies of bariatric (weight-loss) and non-bariatric surgery.
RCTs included 615 obese patients. 7 studied weight-loss surgery and 1 appendix removal. They were published between 1999 and 2011.
Observational studies involved 58,755 patients. They included various surgeries: bariatric, hernia, gall bladder, appendix, colon and large bowel, and general. They were published between 1992 and 2011.
What the researchers found
Results from randomized controlled trials
- Laparoscopic surgery reduced surgical site infections by about 80%.
Results from observational studies
- Laparoscopic surgery reduced surgical site infections by about 70%.
Quality of evidence
- All trials were high quality. However, none was designed expressly to assess differences in surgical site infections between laparoscopic and open surgery.
- There was a large variation of treatment effects in the observational studies. The most typical flaw was a risk of selection bias.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic surgery in obese patients reduces infections in the surgical area by 70-80% compared with open surgery for general abdominal surgical procedures.
Glossary
Studies where the treatment that each person receives is beyond the control of the researcher.
Studies where people are assigned to one of the treatments purely by chance.
Possibility of errors in choosing individuals or groups to take part in a research study.
A comprehensive evaluation of the available research evidence on a particular topic.
Related Evidence Summaries
-
Discharge planning from hospital
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016) -
Physical activity-based interventions using electronic feedback may be ineffective in reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2017) -
Communication-skills training for healthcare professionals is promising for improving end-of-life care in acute-care hospitals
Palliative & Supportive Care (2015)
Related Web Resources
-
Dementia in long-term care
Canadian Institute for Health InformationOlder adults with dementia may need to move into long-term care homes if they can no longer stay at home. These people have higher risk of getting physically restrained or given antipsychotic medication. Changes to policy and education have made these things happen less often. -
Patient education: Delirium (Beyond the Basics)
UpToDate - patient informationDelirium is the result of brain changes that lead to confusion, lack of focus and memory problems. There is no specific treatment for delirium - it is best to avoid risks, treat underlying illnesses and receive supportive care. Sedatives and physical restraints should be avoided. -
During the COVID-19 pandemic, should I or my family member go to live with family or stay in the long-term care or nursing home?
OHRICOVID-19 poses significant health risks for seniors and those with compromised immune systems. For those living in long term care homes and nursing homes, the decision to move back home with friends and family can be difficult to make. It’s important to ensure that you will have proper care if you decide to move out. Use this decision aid to help you consider your options.
Register for free access to all Professional content
RegisterOur Content
About
Support for the Portal is largely provided by the Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative. AGE-WELL is a contributing partner. Help us to continue to provide direct and easy access to evidence-based information on health and social conditions to help you stay healthy, active and engaged as you grow older. .
