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J Reconstr Microsurg 2017; 33(02): 124-129
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1593769
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Extending the Limits of Microsurgical Reconstruction in Patients with Moderate to Very Severe Obesity: Single-Center 6-Year Experiences

Paul I. Heidekrueger
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM - Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching, Academic Teaching Hospital Technical University, Munich, Germany
,
Albrecht Heine-Geldern
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM - Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching, Academic Teaching Hospital Technical University, Munich, Germany
,
Milomir Ninkovic
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM - Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching, Academic Teaching Hospital Technical University, Munich, Germany
,
Frank Herter
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM - Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching, Academic Teaching Hospital Technical University, Munich, Germany
,
Camillo Mueller
2   Department for Plastic and Hand Surgery, CHUV Cenrte de la Main, Lausanne, Switzerland
,
P. Niclas Broer
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Hand, and Burn Surgery, StKM - Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching, Academic Teaching Hospital Technical University, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 June 2016

08 September 2016

Publication Date:
31 October 2016 (online)

Also available atMedOne
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Abstract

Background Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Given this epidemic change, surgical and medical care has become more complex as obesity is a known risk factor for complications. Consequently, one could expect a higher prevalence of medical and surgical complications in an obese patient collective in the setting of free tissue transfer. Goal of this study was to evaluate whether this assumption holds true.

Material and Methods Between January 2009 and June 2015, 838 patients underwent free tissue transfers at a single institution. The cases were divided into three groups using the World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) criteria into a nonobese (n = 751), a moderately obese (n = 59), and a severely to very severely obese group (n = 28). The series was retrospectively analyzed and the groups were compared regarding the potential influence of BMI in respect to surgical complications and outcomes.

Results Overall, there was no significant difference in morbidity between the groups of patients regarding the rate of surgical complications during our 3-month follow-up period.

Conclusion This study analyzed a large series of microsurgical reconstructions, with a focus on the impact of patient obesity on outcomes. Our findings suggest that despite higher rates of patient comorbidities, successful free tissue transfer can be achieved in this population with acceptable risk for complications.

Keywords

obesity - overweight - free flap reconstruction