Impact of obesity on the outcomes of panniculectomy and abdominoplasty: An ACS-NSQIP analysis.

[INTRODUCTION] Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for complications after surgical procedures. This study evaluated the association of obesity with complications after panniculectomy and abdominoplasty using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

[METHODS] A retrospective review of the NSQIP database from 2012 to 2022 was carried out in which adult patients who underwent panniculectomy with or without abdominoplasty were included. Procedures were categorized as panniculectomy alone or with abdominoplasty. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m. We made composite variables for 30-day outcomes including any complication, wound complications, and major complications. Regression analysis was used to identify the independent effect of obesity on the outcome.

[RESULTS] Overall, 18,891 patients were studied (mean age 46.3±12.0 years, 89.3% female); 7049 patients (37.3%) had panniculectomy with abdominoplasty. There were 2133 (11.3%) patients with any complication, 1329 (7.0%) with major complications, and 1342 (7.1%) with wound complications. Compared to patients without obesity, any complication was more common in the patients with obesity (15.2% vs. 7.3%). Obesity was an independent predictor of any complication, major complication, wound complication, unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, length of stay>2 days, and discharge to a facility vs. home. The higher BMI categories were associated with a higher odds ratios for complications.

[CONCLUSION] BMI≥30 kg/m is an independent predictor of complications after panniculectomy with or without abdominoplasty, and this risk increased in a stepwise fashion with BMI increased. Weight loss strategies in patients with obesity may improve the surgical outcomes of abdominal reconstructive procedures.