Obesity Does Not Affect Major Outcomes in Robotic Coronary Surgery

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted coronary surgery is gaining attraction as an alternative to traditional open-heart procedures, offering potential benefits such as decreased mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and reduced complications. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of robotic-assisted coronary surgery, focusing particularly on the impact of obesity. METHODS: A total of 210 consecutive patients underwent robotic-assisted coronary surgery over an eight-year period at a single institution. Patients were categorized based on body mass index (BMI), distinguishing between obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m2) groups. The analysis encompassed preoperative characteristics, operative factors, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Comparisons between obese and non-obese patients revealed similar preoperative comorbidities. However, the operation time was prolonged in the obese group (p = 0.03). Major cardiac and cerebrovascular events, along with overall complications, displayed no significant disparities between the groups. Notably, superficial wound infections were more prevalent among obese patients (p = 0.03). Importantly, intensive care unit and hospital stay times were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted coronary surgery demonstrates its potential as a viable alternative to conventional open-heart procedures, offering benefits such as reduced mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and minimized perioperative complications. This study's findings underscore the feasibility and safety of this approach, with outcomes comparable between obese and non-obese patients.