VEGFA and diabetes mellitus: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with surgical site infections, hospital readmissions, decreased wound healing, poor vascularity, and reduced collagen density, which can lead to increased rates of wound dehiscence.1, 2, 3 Patients with DM are at higher risk of postoperative infections due to decreased fibroblast activity, decreased VEGF expression, increased matrix metalloproteinases and underlying vascular disease.1