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

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

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