WHO Guidelines to prevent surgical site infections

Furthermore, results from a 2015 large randomised controlled trial showed no difference in rates of surgical site infection with varying FiO2 concentrations.4 This randomised controlled trial was not included in the WHO meta-analysis.1 The WHO authors do recognise that in low-income and middle-income countries, "oxygen availability is low" and that "oxygen and high-flow masks are an additional cost for the health-care facility or patient";1 but more importantly, it is impractical even in high income countries to maintain 80% FiO2 in postoperative extubated patients for 2-6 hours.