Nursing care in patients with surgical wound infection after bariatric surgery: a systematic review

Authors

Keywords:

Bariatric surgery, nursing care, surgical wound infection, interventions

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a significant complication in bariatric surgery, with direct repercussions on patient prognosis and quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe nursing care strategies aimed at preventing and treating these infections. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using international and regional databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, ScienceDirect, and Scielo. MeSH terms and Boolean operators were applied, with critical appraisal performed through the CASPe tool and a narrative synthesis of findings. Out of 932 initially identified articles, 7 studies were included, addressing various nursing interventions. These comprised the implementation of nursing care bundles, specific guidelines, modifications in wound management during the intraoperative period, such as the use of wound protectors, plastic drapes, and local heat application, as well as surgical techniques with circular staplers and a compendium of nursing actions tailored for bariatric patients. Six studies reported a significant reduction in SSI incidence. In conclusion, structured and guideline-based interventions proved effective in preventing and controlling infections; however, the available evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for further research from a nursing perspective to strengthen care strategies in this field.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abd, G., & Ali, E.-N. (2019). Effects of Nursing Guidelines on Postoperative Complications and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgeries. Tanta Scientific Nursing Journal, 17(2), 99–122. https://doi.org/10.21608/TSNJ.2019.71536

Aktas, A., Kayaalp, C., Gunes, O., Kirkil, C., Tardu, A., Aydin, M. C., Bag, Y. M., Cayci, H. M., Arslan, U., Sumer, F., & Aygen, E. (2021). Surgical Site Infections after Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: Is Routine Antibiotic Prophylaxis Required? Surgical Infections, 22(7), 705–712. https://doi.org/10.1089/SUR.2020.426

Almottowa, H., Othman, M., Zainab, O., Danah, A., & Fatmah, M. (2025). View of Surgical site infection prevention: best practices and new approaches. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 12(2), 974–981. https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/13656/8131

Bandeira, Á., Vasconcelos, C., Santa, F., Aquino, M., Buenos, V., & Siqueira, L. (2019). Infecção de sítio cirúrgico após cirurgia bariátrica: resultados de uma abordagem com pacote de cuidados. Revista Do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões, 46(4), e2252-2263. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-6991E-20192252

CASPe. (2024). Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español. Instrumentos Para La Lectura Crítica. https://redcaspe.org/materiales/

Cunha, T., Miguel, S., Maciel, J., Zagalo, C., & Alves, P. (2025). Surgical site infection prevention care bundles in colorectal surgery: a scoping review. The Journal of Hospital Infection, 155, 221–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHIN.2024.10.010

Da Silva, A. F., Mendes, K. D. S., Ribeiro, V. D. S., & Galvão, C. M. (2023). Risk factors for the development of surgical site infection in bariatric surgery: an integrative review of literature. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 31, e3798. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.6309.3798

Fayyaz, M., Akram, F., Muneer, B., Naeem, U., Islam, B., Shahzadi, M., & Shahzadi, U. (2023). Implementation of Peri-Operative Strategies for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: Peri-Operative Strategies for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 4(03), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i03.584

García, A., Romero, G., Pereira, X., Vazzana, J., & Camacho, D. (2022). Decreasing Surgical Site Infection Associated with the Use of Circular Staplers During Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass. JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, 26(4), 22–36. https://doi.org/10.4293/JSLS.2022.00056

Gomaa El-Dawoody, H., Yaseen Taha, O., Abed, G., Ali, E.-N., Sahra, &, & Azer, Z. (2016). Effect of Nursing Guidelines on Minimizing Postoperative Complications for Patients with Abdominal Bariatric Surgeries. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal, 4(8), 152–163. https://doi.org/10.21608/ASNJ.2016.60388

Habtie, T. E., Feleke, S. F., Terefe, A. B., Alamaw, A. W., & Abate, M. D. (2025a). Nurses’ knowledge and its determinants in surgical site infection prevention: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0317887

Hill, B., Lamichhane, G., & Wamburu, A. (2024). Infection prevention and control: critical strategies for nursing practice. British Journal of Nursing, 33(17), 804–811. https://doi.org/10.12968/BJON.2024.0286

Liu, H., Xing, H., Zhang, G., Wei, A., & Chang, Z. (2025). Risk factors for surgical site infections after orthopaedic surgery: A meta‐analysis and systematic review. International Wound Journal, 22(5), e70068. https://doi.org/10.1111/IWJ.70068

Mangram, A., Horan, T., Pearson, L., & Silver, C. (1999). Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 1999. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee - PubMed. Am J Infect Control, 27(2), 97–132. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10196487/

Mohammed, S. K., Shahin, M. A. H., Alamoudi, F. A., Morshed, M. M., Ali, W. G. M., & Shaaban, A. E. A. (2025). Pre- and Postoperative Care for Bariatric Surgery Patients: The Impact of a Designed Reference Guide on Nurses’ Awareness and Patient Satisfaction. Healthcare, 13(9), 1023. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13091023

Norman, G., Shi, C., Goh, E. L., Murphy, E. M. A., Reid, A., Chiverton, L., Stankiewicz, M., & Dumville, J. C. (2022). Negative pressure wound therapy for surgical wounds healing by primary closure. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009261.PUB7

Sahebally, S. M., McKevitt, K., Stephens, I., Fitzpatrick, F., Deasy, J., Burke, J. P., & McNamara, D. (2018). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Closed Laparotomy Incisions in General and Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Surgery, 153(11). https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMASURG.2018.3467

Schulz, K. (2010). CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomized Trials. Annals of Internal Medicine, 152(11), 726. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-152-11-201006010-00232

Seidelman, J. L., Mantyh, C. R., & Anderson, D. J. (2023). Surgical Site Infection Prevention: A Review. JAMA, 329(3), 244–252. https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMA.2022.24075

Selwyn, D. (2020). Impact of perioperative care on healthcare resource use. https://www.cpoc.org.uk/sites/cpoc/files/documents/2020-09/Impact%20of%20perioperative%20care%20-%20rapid%20review%20FINAL%20-%2009092020MW.pdf

Shen, P., Blackham, A. U., Lewis, S., Clark, C. J., Howerton, R., Mogal, H. D., Dodson, R. M., Russell, G. B., & Levine, E. A. (2017). Phase II Randomized Trial of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy to Decrease Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Laparotomy for Gastrointestinal, Pancreatic, and Peritoneal Surface Malignancies. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 224(4), 726–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAMCOLLSURG.2016.12.028

Shiomi, S., Gonoi, W., Sugawara, K., Taguchi, S., Hanaoka, S., Kurokawa, M., Akamatsu, N., Inui, S., Yagi, K., Kume, H., Abe, O., & Seto, Y. (2025). Association between sex-specific criteria for visceral obesity and surgical site infection after gastrectomy. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 29(2), 101919. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GASSUR.2024.101919

Steyer, N. H., Oliveira, M. C., Gouvêa, M. R. F., Echer, I. C., & Lucena, A. de F. (2016). Perfil clínico, diagnósticos e cuidados de enfermagem para pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica. Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem, 37(1), e5017. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.01.50170

STROBE Statement. (2023). STROBE Checklists. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. https://www.strobe-statement.org/checklists/

Sundaresan, A. (2024). Effective nursing care and management of bariatric surgery for obesity. International Journal of Clinical Medical Research, 2(6), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.61466/IJCMR2060001

Tomsic, I., Heinze, N. R., Chaberny, I. F., Krauth, C., Schock, B., & Von Lengerke, T. (2020). Implementation interventions in preventing surgical site infections in abdominal surgery: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S12913-020-4995-Z

Weber, C. E., Abbas, M., Bonner, G., Mustafa, R. R., Motamedi, S. M. K., & Khaitan, L. (2020). Is it the technique or wound protection that is key to reducing wound infections in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures? Surgical Endoscopy, 34(5), 2287–2294. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00464-019-07022-3/METRICS

Whitney, J. D., Dellinger, E. P., Weber, J., Swenson, R. E., Kent, C. D., Swanson, P. E., Harmon, K., & Perrin, M. (2015). The Effects of Local Warming on Surgical Site Infection. Surgical Infections, 16(5), 595–603. https://doi.org/10.1089/SUR.2013.096

World Health Organization. (2018). Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550475

Xuelei, P., & Yingming, S. (2025). Standardized operating room nursing care is effective in preventing the occurrence of surgical wound infections. American Journal of Translational Research, 17(2), 1125–1134. https://doi.org/10.62347/MLLI7876

Published

2025-10-01

How to Cite

Veintimilla-Verdezoto, V. F. (2025). Nursing care in patients with surgical wound infection after bariatric surgery: a systematic review. Revista UGC, 3(S3), 271–284. Retrieved from https://universidadugc.edu.mx/ojs/index.php/rugc/article/view/250