Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42195417›Full record

ReviewLife (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Infectious Complications in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Management.

Marcello Agosta, Egle Augello, Carlo Maria Bellanca, Andrea Marino, Cristiana Rossitto, Giuseppe Nunnari, Maria Sofia, Saverio Latteri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Marcello AgostaDepartment of General Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, via Messina 829, 95126 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4398-1262
Egle AugelloPostgraduate Residency Program in Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0009-0006-9899-4040
Carlo Maria BellancaDepartment of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2646-7808
Andrea MarinoDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5650-6911
Cristiana RossittoDepartment of General Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, via Messina 829, 95126 Catania, Italy.
Giuseppe NunnariDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8113-8452
Maria SofiaDepartment of General Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, via Messina 829, 95126 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5680-9939
Saverio LatteriDepartment of General Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, via Messina 829, 95126 Catania, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2759-4430

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMetabolic and bariatric surgery is an established therapeutic option for severe obesity and obesity-related medical problems. Although minimally invasive techniques and enhanced recovery pathways have reduced postoperative morbidity, infectious complications remain clinically relevant because they may lead to readmission, reoperation, prolonged antimicrobial therapy, and mortality.

methodsWe conducted a narrative review of the literature on infectious complications after metabolic and bariatric surgery. Evidence was synthesized across five clinically relevant domains: host-related pathophysiology, microbial epidemiology, preoperative optimization, antimicrobial prophylaxis and pharmacokinetic considerations, and diagnosis and management of postoperative infectious complications.

resultsPatients with obesity present specific infection-related vulnerabilities, including chronic low-grade inflammation, altered immune responses, impaired tissue oxygenation, obesity-related medical problems, and procedure-specific risks. Contemporary prevention relies on multidisciplinary preoperative optimization, appropriate skin antisepsis, weight-based antimicrobial prophylaxis, intraoperative redosing when indicated, and adherence to enhanced recovery principles. Anastomotic leaks and intra-abdominal abscesses represent the most severe organ/space infections and require early recognition, source control, antimicrobial therapy, nutritional support, and coordinated surgical, radiological, and endoscopic management.

conclusionsInfectious complications after metabolic and bariatric surgery result from the interaction between host physiology, microbial factors, pharmacological considerations, and surgical technique. A structured approach integrating prevention, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management may improve outcomes. Further bariatric-specific studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base for several preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

anastomotic leakantibiotic prophylaxisbariatric surgerymetabolic surgerymeta-inflammationobesitypostoperative managementsurgical site infection

Identifiers

PMID42195417
PMCPMC13208354

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.