Obesity and postoperative flap complications in maxillofacial reconstruction surgery.

[OBJECTIVES] This single-center retrospective observational study aimed to determine whether obesity is associated with postoperative flap complications following maxillofacial reconstruction. Obesity can increase the risk of postoperative flap complications during autologous breast reconstruction. Therefore, we hypothesized that obesity also affects maxillofacial reconstruction.

[STUDY DESIGN] A total of 338 patients (140 males and 198 females) who underwent maxillofacial reconstruction between January 2016 and December 2021 were included. The primary outcome variable was the occurrence of complications. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of complications at the recipient site, and risk factors were compared between the two groups. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between the predictors and outcomes.

[RESULTS] Twenty-five (7.40%) of the 338 patients experienced free-flap complications. Those with a greater body mass index (BMI > 25) had the highest complication incidences (13.33%). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a higher flap complication risk among patients with obesity than among those with a normal BMI (odds ratio, 3.178; 95% confidence interval: 1.073-9.415, P = .037).

[CONCLUSIONS] There was a clear association between BMIs > 25 and flap complication after maxillofacial reconstruction.