Abstract Aim Patients with a high Body Mass Index (BMI≥35) undergoing benign biliary surgery are often perceived to be at greater risk for postoperative complications and prolonged post-operative length of stay. This study aims to compare postoperative complication rates between obese and non-obese patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of all consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by two biliary surgeons over two years. Patients were divided into two groups based on their BMI (group-1 BMI≤35.0, group-2 BMI35.0) and the outcomes compared. Results 245 patients were identified, 193 patient in group 1 and 52 were in group 2. Median BMI in group-1 was 29 and 39 in group-2. Table below compares the data in both groups. Group 1 (BMI≤35.0) n=193Group 2 (BMI35.0) n=52P valueMedian Age56 years (IQR 44-67)45 years (IQR 37-58)0.005Female117 (60.6%)40 (46.9%)0.030Emergency Cases80 (41.5%)16 (30.8%)0.161Nassar Cholecystectomy Grade 4 & 573 (37.8%)16 (30.8%)0.348Intra-operative cholangiogram89 (46.1%)22 (42.3%)0.625Bile duct exploration59 (30.6%)16 (30.7%)0.978Median post-operative length of stay1 day (IQR 0-2)1 (day IQR 0-2)0.349Readmission within 30 days11 (5.7%)2 (3.8%)0.597Complications:Clavien-Dindo 1-210 (5.2%)1 (1.9%)0.314Clavien-Dindo 3-46 (3.1%)00.198 Discussion This study shows that postoperative outcomes in obese patients undergoing benign biliary surgery are comparable to those in non-obese patients. Surgeons should be encouraged to operate on obese patients to prevent complications associated with gallstone disease.
Tan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.