Supplemental postoperative oxygen and tissue oxygen tension in morbidly obese patients.

Background Subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension (PsqO2) is a major predictor for wound healing and the occurrence of wound infections. Perioperative subcutaneous wound and tissue oxygen tension is significantly reduced in morbidly obese patients. Even during intraoperative supplemental oxygen administration, PsqO2 remains low. Tissue hypoxia is pronounced during surgery and might explain the substantial increase in infection risk in obese patients. It remains unknown whether long-term supplemental postoperative oxygen augments tissue oxygen tension. Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that 80% inspired oxygen administration during 12–18 postoperative hours significantly increases PsqO2 compared to 30% inspired oxygen fraction.