Effects of obesity on elective spinal surgery

Abstract

Background: Obesity (Body Mass Index > 30 kg/m2) is currently a public health problem with increasing incidence. Obesity increases the challenges and complications of surgery in all surgical branches. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the intraoperative and perioperative complications of obesity encountered in spinal surgery.Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing elective spinal surgery in one orthopedic surgery practice between 2017 and 2018 were included in this study. Patient demographics, body mass index (BMI), preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, volume of blood transfused, incision lengths, number of surgical levels, operational time, and amount of bleeding were retrospectively identified. Patients were divided into two groups according to BMI levels (Group A, < 30kg/m2; Group B > 30 kg/m2), and statistical analyses were performed using the Student’s t and Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: Seventy-seven patients with a mean age of 57.8 years (range, 19–72) were included in this study. Their mean BMI was 29.3 kg/m2 (19.9–39 kg/m2). The mean BMI of Group A was 25.7 kg/m2 and that of Group B was 34.6 kg/m2. The amount of bleeding, number of surgical levels, and skin-incision length were statistically significantly different between the two groups. The mean values of all of these parameters were higher in Group B.Conclusion: Although numerous factors play roles in operational success, we believe that identifying obesity in a patient is important for pre- and postoperative surgical preparation by the operation team.