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In a series of 2,819 patients undergoing elective operation for duodenal ulcer, 124 were considered obese, being 15.8 kg (35 lb) or more above the desirable weight for age and height. The frequency of diabetes and hypertension was increased in the obese patients, and, postoperatively, they were more likely to develop atelectasis, thrombophlebitis, or wound infection. Postoperative mortality was 6.6% for the obese patients and 2.7% for those not obese.
R.W. Postlethwait (1972) studied this question.