Effects of obesity on the outcome of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer

A meta-analysis of the effect of different body mass index on surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery

We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of different body mass index on surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery. A systematic literature search up to November 2022 was performed and 2349 related studies were evaluated. The chosen studies comprised 15 595 colorectal surgery subjects participated in the selected studies' baseline trials; 4390 of them were obese according to the selected body mass index cut-off used to measure obesity in the selected studies, while 11 205 were nonobese. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of different body mass index on wound infection after colorectal surgery by the dichotomous methods with a random or fixed effect model. The body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 resulted in significantly higher surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.46-2.11, P < .001) compared with the body mass index <30 kg/m2 . The body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 resulted in significantly higher surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.40-1.92, P < .001) compared with the body mass index <25 kg/m2 . The subjects with higher body mass index had a significantly higher surgical wound infection after colorectal surgery compared with the subjects with normal body mass index.

Body composition index obtained by using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device can be a predictor of prolonged operative time in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery

PURPOSE

Obesity has been known to contribute to technical difficulties in surgery. Until now, body mass index (BMI) has been used to measure obesity. However, there are reports that BMI does not always correspond to the visceral fat. Recently, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used for body composition analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the body composition index obtained using a BIA device in predicting short-term postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent elective major colorectal surgery using minimally invasive techniques were reviewed retrospectively. Body composition status was recorded using a commercial BIA device the day before surgery. The relationship between BMI, body composition index, and short-term postoperative outcomes, including operative time, was analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were enrolled in this study. In the correlation analysis, positive correlation was observed between BMI and body composition index. BMI and body composition index were not associated with short-term postoperative outcomes. Percent body fat (odds ratio, 4.226; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.064-16.780; P=0.041) was found to be a statistically significant factor of prolonged operative time in the multivariate analysis. Correlation analysis showed that body fat mass was related to prolonged operative time (correlation coefficients, 0.245; P=0.048). In the area under curve analysis, body fat mass showed a statistically significant predictive probability for prolonged operative time (body fat mass: area, 0.662; 95% CI, 0.531-0.764; P=0.024).

CONCLUSION

The body composition index can be used as a predictive marker for prolonged operative time. Further studies are needed to determine its usefulness.

Relationship between body mass index and short-term postoperative prognosis in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a state in which excess heat is converted into excess fat, which accumulates in the body and may cause damage to multiple organs of the circulatory, endocrine, and digestive systems. Studies have shown that the accumulation of abdominal fat and mesenteric fat hypertrophy in patients with obesity makes laparoscopic surgery highly difficult, which is not conducive to operation and affects patient prognosis. However, there is still controversy regarding these conclusions.

AIM

To explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and short-term prognosis after surgery for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, CNKI, and China Biology Medicine Disc databases were searched to obtain relevant articles on this topic. After the articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the risk of literature bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the prognostic indicators were combined and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 16 articles were included for quantitative analysis, and 15588 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery were included in the study, including 3775 patients with obesity and 11813 patients without obesity. Among them, 12 articles used BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and 4 articles used BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² for the definition of obesity. Four patients underwent robotic colorectal surgery, whereas 12 underwent conventional laparoscopic colorectal resection. The quality of the literature was good. Meta-combined analysis showed that the overall complication rate of patients with obesity after surgery was higher than that of patients without obesity [OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.23-1.48, Z = 6.25, P < 0.0001]. The incidence of anastomotic leak after surgery in patients with obesity was not significantly different from that in patients without obesity [OR = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.70-1.41), Z = -0.06, P = 0.956]. The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after surgery in patients with obesity was higher than that in patients without obesity [OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.16-1.78, Z = 3.31, P < 0.001]. The incidence of reoperation in patients with obesity after surgery was higher than that in patients without obesity; however, the difference was not statistically significant [OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 0.92-1.45, Z = 1.23, P = 0.23]; Patients with obesity had lower mortality after surgery than patients without obesity; however, the difference was not statistically significant [OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.35-1.06, Z = -1.75, P = 0.08]. Subgroup analysis revealed that the geographical location of the institute was one of the sources of heterogeneity. Robot-assisted surgery was not significantly different from traditional laparoscopic resection in terms of the incidence of complications.

CONCLUSION

Obesity increases the overall complication and SSI rates of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery but has no influence on the incidence of anastomotic leak, reoperation rate, and short-term mortality rate.

Risk factors and predictors of 30-day complications and conversion to open surgery after repeat ileocolic resection of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Repeat ileocolic resection of Crohn's disease (CD) is a challenging procedure that can be followed by a high rate of complications. The present study aimed to identify the factors associated with complications and conversion to open surgery in patients undergoing repeat ileocolic resection for CD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of an IRB-approved prospective database of CD patients who underwent elective repeat ileocolic resection between 2011 and 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictive factors of postoperative complications and conversion to open surgery.

RESULTS

The present study included 65 patients (47.7% male) with a mean age of 52.5 years. 43.1% of patients developed short-term complications, most of which were of Clavien-Dindo class I-II. Longer operative time was found to be an independent predictor of complications (OR 1.016, p = 0.014). The preoperative use of biological therapy was an independent protective factor from complications (OR 0.243, p = 0.016). The only significant risk factor of a longer operation time was higher BMI (OR 3.11, p = 0.044). Overall, 28.1% of laparoscopic procedures were converted to laparotomy. According to bivariate analysis, previous ileocolic open resection (OR 190, p < 0.0001), longer operation time (OR 1.01; p = 0.036), and takedown of incidental fistula of incidental fistula (OR 3.78, p = 0.04) were associated with higher odds of conversion to open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Longer operation time was significantly associated with and predictive of complications after repeat ileocolic resection of CD. Preoperative biological therapy was predictive of a lower rate of complications. Previous ileocolic resection by laparotomy, longer operation time, and takedown of fistula were associated with a higher likelihood of conversion to open surgery.

Effect of body mass index on surgical site wound infection, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay in subjects undergoing possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of body mass index on surgical site wound infection, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay in subjects undergoing possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer. A systematic literature search up to March 2022 was performed and 2247 subjects with possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer at the baseline of the studies; 2889 of them were obese, and 9358 were non-obese. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of body mass index on surgical site wound infection, mortality, and postoperative hospital stay in subjects undergoing possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer using the dichotomous or contentious methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The obese subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection after colorectal surgery (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.62-2.15, P < .001), and higher mortality (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07-2.32, P = .02) in subjects with possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer compared with non-obese. However, obese did not show any significant difference in postoperative hospital stay (MD, 0.81; 95% CI, -0.030 to 1.92, P = .15) compared with non-obese in subjects with possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer. The obese subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection after colorectal surgery, higher mortality, and no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay compared with non-obese in subjects with possibly curative surgery for colorectal cancer. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low number of studies in certain comparisons.

A comparison of extracorporeal side to side or end to side anastomosis following a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether an extracorporeal side‐to‐side (SS) or end‐to‐side (ES) stapled anastomosis impacts short‐term and long‐term outcomes after an oncological laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data from two Victorian tertiary referral hospitals was performed. Patients who underwent oncological resection for colorectal cancer between February 2010 and September 2020 were selected from the colorectal neoplasia database. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the type of stapled anastomosis: Group 1 (functional end‐to‐end/side‐to‐side (SS)); and Group 2 (end‐to‐side (ES)). Primary outcomes were anastomotic leak, postoperative ileus, mortality and morbidity, length of stay post‐surgery, readmission to hospital, and 30‐day mortality.

Results

This large case series of 1040 patients (SS = 625, ES = 415) demonstrated that the type of stapling technique impacted operative duration and postoperative ileus rates. Patients in the SS group had a faster operation of 108 min rather than 130 min in the ES group (p < 0.001). The SS group were more likely to experience a post‐operative ileus (p < 0.001) with no impact on length of stay (SS, 7 days versus ES, 7 days; p = 0.14). There were no differences between the two groups with respect to lymph node yield, lymph node ratio, anastomotic leaks, return to theatre, 30‐day mortality and 5‐year overall survival.

Discussion

The type of extracorporeal stapled anastomosis following an oncological laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has minimal impact on morbidity and survival outcomes; however, a side‐to‐side stapled anastomosis is more likely to be a faster operation with a higher postoperative ileus rate.

Oncological safety of laparoscopic versus open colorectal cancer surgery in obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer resection in the obese (OB) patients can be technically challenging. With the increasing adoption of laparoscopic surgery, the benefits remain uncertain. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic compared to open colorectal cancer resection in the OB patients.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome measures were 5-year disease-free survival, overall survival, circumferential resection margin and local and distant recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies were included, with a total number of 6779 participants, of whom 1785 (26.3%) were OB and 4994 (73.7%) were non-obese (NOB) participants. The OB patients had higher R1 resection (OB 6.9% versus NOB 3.1%; P = 0.011) and lower mean number of lymph nodes harvested, with standard mean difference of -0.29; P = 0.023, favouring the NOB patients. However, there was no statistical difference for local (OB 2.8% versus NOB 3.4%) or distant recurrence (OB 12.9% versus NOB 15.2%) rate between the two cohorts. There was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival (OB 81% versus NOB 77.4%; odds ratio 1.25, P = 0.215) and overall survival (OB 89.4% versus NOB 87.9%; odds ratio 1.16, P = 0.572). Lastly, the OB group had higher mean total blood loss, total operative time and length of hospital stay when compared to NOB patients.

CONCLUSION

From a pooled non-randomized study, laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection is safe in OB patients with equivalent long-term outcomes compared to NOB patients. However, there is a higher morbidity rate with an increased demand on hospital resources for the OB cohort.

Complete mesocolic excision for colonic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Complete mesocolic excision for colonic cancer is similar in concept to total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. This review aims to provide the embryological and anatomical rationale behind CME, and to review the current literature on CME, relative to the feasibility via laparoscopy, the oncological adequacy and outcomes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A literature search was performed at the end of 2017 according the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Of 3980 articles found, we analyzed 96 articles. Of note, many case series had overlapping populations; there were five review articles, two consensus conference proceedings, six comparative but only one randomized trial.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The embryonic and anatomical rationale is well described. CME is feasible via laparoscopy, which may facilitate dissection and anatomic precision: no statistically significant differences were found when compared to open CME regarding overall survival. However, morbidity may be higher in the hands of non-expert laparoscopic surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncological adequacy can be obtained with laparoscopic CME, with increased lymph node retrieval. However, until now, there is no formal proof that CME improves local recurrence or survival.

Optimizing Patient Selection for Laparoscopic and Open Colorectal Cancer Resections: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program–Matched Analysis

The aim of this study was to identify patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) resection who might benefit specifically from either an open or laparoscopic approach. From the NSQIP database (2012–2013), patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy (LC) or open colectomy (OC) for CRC were identified. The two groups were matched and compared in terms of any, medical, and surgical complications. A wide range of patient characteristics were collected and analyzed. Interaction analysis was performed in a multivariable regression model to identify risk factors that may make LC or OC more beneficial in certain subgroups of patients. Overall, OC (n = 6593) was associated with a significantly higher risk of any [odds ratio (OR) 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.87–2.20], surgical (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.82–2.16), and medical (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.51–1.94) complications than LC (n = 6593). No subgroup of patients benefited from an open approach. Patients with obesity (BMI > 30) (P = 0.03) and older age (>65 years) (P = 0.01) benefited more than average from a laparoscopic approach. For obese patients, LC was associated with less overall complications (OC vs LC: OR 1.92 obese vs 1.21 nonobese patients). For elderly patients, LC was more preferable regarding the risk of medical complications (OC vs LC OR of 1.91 vs 1.34 for younger patients). No subgroup of CRC patients benefited specifically more from an open colorectal resection. This supports that the laparoscopic technique should be performed whenever feasible. For the obese and elderly patients, the benefits of the laparoscopic approach were more pronounced.

The relationship between body mass index and short term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the last few decades, and is a well-recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer. Surgical site infection is the most frequent complication following surgery for colorectal cancer, and the main cause of postoperative morbidity. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between increasing BMI and postoperative surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A systemic literature search was conducted using Medline, PubMed, Embase (Ovid) and Web of Science databases from inception to the end of August 2016. Studies examining the relationship between obesity and surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer were included. Analysis of the data was performed using Review Manager version 5.3(The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copen-hagen, Denmark,) RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, a total of 9535 patients from 16 studies were included. BMI <30 vs ≥30kg/m² was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection in patients from Western countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 100% (OR=2.13; 95% CI 1.66-2.72, p<0.001).BMI <25 vs ≥25kg/m² was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection from Asian countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 60% (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.29-2.06, p<0.001). There was little evidence of publication bias in the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

From this systematic review and meta-analysis there was good evidence that obesity was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer in both ethnic groups. The magnitude of the effect warrants further investigation.

Obesity as a surgical risk factor

In recent years, both the actual number of overweight/obese individuals and their proportion of the population have steadily been rising worldwide and obesity-related diseases have become major health concerns. In addition, as obesity is associated with an increased incidence of gastroenterological cancer, the number of obese patients has also been increasing in the field of gastroenterological surgery. While the influence of obesity on gastroenterological surgery has been widely studied, very few reports have focused on individual organs or surgical procedures, using a cross-sectional study design. In the present review, we aimed to summarize the impacts of obesity on surgeries for the esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver and pancreas. In general, obesity prolongs operative time. As to short-term postoperative outcomes, obesity might be a risk for certain complications, depending on the procedure carried out. In contrast, it is possible that obesity doesn't adversely impact long-term surgical outcomes. The influences of obesity on surgery are made even more complex by various categories of operative outcomes, surgical procedures, and differences in obesity among races. Therefore, it is important to appropriately evaluate perioperative risk factors, including obesity.

Association Between Obesity and Wound Infection Following Colorectal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this meta-analysis is to comprehensively review and quantify the excess risk of surgical site infections (SSI) in obese patients following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

A systematic electronic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases identified studies that investigated the association of obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI) with SSI among colorectal surgery patients.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in the final analysis. Patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m² were at 1.5 times (pooled OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.39, 1.63, p < 0.001) higher odds of developing SSI after colorectal surgery when compared to BMI <30 kg/m². Subgroup analysis of the eight studies that investigated only elective procedures showed that the odds of developing SSI when BMI ≥30 kg/m² is 1.6 times that of those with BMI <30 kg/m² (pooled OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.34, 1.86; p < 0.001). The odds of having SSI when BMI is 25-29.9 kg/m² are 1.2 times than those with BMI <25 kg/m² (pooled OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07, 1.28; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overweight and obese patients carry at least 20% and 50% higher odds of developing SSI after colorectal surgery compared to normal weight patients, respectively.

Risk factors for parastomal hernia after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

This study was designed to identity risk factors for parastomal hernia occurring after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.

METHODS

The study group was comprised of 158 patients with rectal cancer who underwent abdominoperineal resection in our department from January 1990 through December 2014. Twelve variables were studied as risk factors for parastomal hernia.

RESULTS

Parastomal hernia developed in 27 patients, including 19 patients who underwent colostomy creation via an intraperitoneal route and 8 patients who underwent colostomy creation via an extraperitoneal route. On univariate analysis, a BMI ≥25 kg/m² was significantly related to the development of parastomal hernia (P = 0. 018), and an ASA physical status ≥2 was slightly but not significantly related to parastomal hernia (P = 0. 076). Multivariate analysis showed that a BMI ≥25 kg/m² was an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 2.9698; P = 0. 016).

CONCLUSION

Patients with a BMI ≥25 kg/m² should be instructed about lifestyle modifications to control preoperative bodyweight and to reduce abdominal pressure.

BMI as a Predictor for Perioperative Outcome of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: a Pooled Analysis of Comparative Studies

BACKGROUND

There has been a long-lasting controversy about whether higher BMI is associated with worse perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Recently, a number of newly published investigations have made it possible to draw a quantitative conclusion.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted this comprehensive meta-analysis to clarify the exact effect that BMI imposes on perioperative outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify all relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION

Comparative studies in English that investigated perioperative outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for patients with different BMIs were included. Quality of studies was evaluated by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

INTERVENTION

The risk factor of interest was BMI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Effective sizes were pooled under a random-effects model to evaluate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 43 studies were included. We found that higher BMI was associated with significantly longer operative time (p < 0.001), greater blood loss (p = 0.01), and higher incidence of conversion to open surgery (p < 0.001). Moreover, BMI was a risk factor for overall complication rates (p < 0.001), especially for ileus (p = 0.02) and events of the urinary system (p = 0.03). Significant association was identified between higher BMI and risk of surgical site infection (p < 0.001) and anastomotic leakage (p = 0.02). Higher BMI might also led to a reduced number of harvest lymph nodes for patients with colorectal cancer (p = 0.02). The heterogeneity test identified no significant cross-study heterogeneity, and the results of cumulative meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and the publication bias test verified the reliability of our study.

LIMITATIONS

Most studies included were retrospectively designed.

CONCLUSIONS

Body mass index is a practical and valuable measurement for the prediction of the perioperative outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Higher BMI is associated with worse perioperative outcome. More accurate conclusions, with more precise cutoff values, can be achieved by future well-designed prospective investigations.

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections in the obese: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer operations in obese patients pose technical challenges that may negatively impact oncologic adequacy. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections in obese compared to non-obese patients. Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed secondarily.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted from inception until October 01, 2014. Studies that compared outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal malignant neoplasms in obese and non-obese patients were selected for meta-analysis. Studies that defined obesity as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² were included. Oncologic, operative, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed-effects models. For oncologic and survival outcomes, a subgroup analysis was conducted for rectal cancer and a secondary analysis was conducted for Asian studies that used a BMI cutoff of 25 kg/m².

RESULTS

Thirteen observational studies with a total of 4550 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Lymph node retrieval, distal, and circumferential margins, and 5-year disease-free and overall survival were similar in the obese and non-obese groups. Conversion rate (OR 2.11, 95 % CI 1.58-2.81), postoperative morbidity (OR 1.54, 95 % CI 1.21-1.97), wound infection (OR 2.43, 95 % CI 1.46-4.03), and anastomotic leak (OR 1.65, 95 % CI 1.01-2.71) were all significantly increased in the obese group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic colorectal cancer operations in obese patients pose an increased technical challenge as demonstrated by higher conversion rates and higher risk of postoperative complications compared to non-obese patients. Despite these challenges, oncologic adequacy of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections is comparable in both groups.

The influence of obesity and body mass index on the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a systematic literature review

AIM

The relationship between obesity, body mass index (BMI) and laparoscopic colorectal resection is unclear. Our object was to assess systematically the available evidence to establish the influence of obesity and BMI on the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal resection.

METHOD

A search of PubMed/Medline databases was performed in May 2015 to identify all studies investigating the impact of BMI and obesity on elective laparoscopic colorectal resection performed for benign or malignant bowel disease. Clinical end-points examined included operation time, conversion rate to open surgery, postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage, length of hospital stay, readmission rate, reoperation rate and mortality. For patients who underwent an operation for cancer, the harvested number of lymph nodes and long-term oncological data were also examined.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies were analysed, the majority of which were level IV with only four level III (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine 2011) case-controlled studies. Thirty comparative studies containing 23 649 patients including 17 895 non-obese and 5754 obese showed no significant differences between the two groups with respect to intra-operative blood loss, overall postoperative morbidity, anastomotic leakage, reoperation rate, mortality and the number of retrieved lymph nodes in patients operated on for malignancy. Most studies, including 15 non-comparative studies, reported a longer operation time in patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure with the BMI being an independent predictor in multivariate analyses for the operation time.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic colorectal resection is safe and technically and oncologically feasible in obese patients. These results, however, may vary outside of high volume centres of expertise.

Comparison of outcomes after single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy in relation to patient body mass index

Background and Objectives:

Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy may contribute to a paradigm shift in the field of laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery by providing patients with benefits beyond those observed after other surgical procedures. This study was designed to evaluate clinically meaningful differences in operative outcomes between obese and nonobese patients after single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

Data were collected retrospectively from 172 patients who had undergone single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by the same surgeon at a single medical center between January and December 2011. For the outcome analysis, patients were divided into nonobese and obese patient groups according to their body mass index (<25 kg/m² vs ≥25 kg/m²).

Results:

Demographic and clinical data did not differ significantly between obese patients (n = 65) and nonobese patients (n = 107). In addition, statistically significant differences pertaining to most measured surgical outcomes including postoperative hospital stay, bile spillage, additional port use, and open conversion were not detected between the groups. However, the two groups differed significantly regarding operative time such that nonobese patients had shorter operative times than obese patients (P < .05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed that operative time for single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the only difference between obese and nonobese patients. Given this result, body mass index may not be as relevant a factor in patient selection for single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy as previously thought.

Laparoscopic liver resection in obese patients

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been associated with worse postoperative outcomes than those for normal weight. Data on the short-term results of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) in patients with obesity are scarce. Furthermore, the long-term outcomes of LLR versus open liver resection (OLR) have not been adequately assessed. The aims of this study were to analyze the outcomes of obese patients undergoing LLR and to compare these to the outcomes of obese patients undergoing OLR.

METHODS

Data regarding the short-term results from 13 obese patients who underwent laparoscopic non-anatomical liver resection were retrospectively compared with the data from 69 obese patients who underwent open non-anatomical liver resection between 2002 and 2012. The long-term results of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were also compared.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients who underwent non-anatomical liver resection in our institution were included. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of preoperative patient characteristics. The intraoperative blood loss in the laparoscopic group was significantly less than that in the open group. There were no significant differences in the postoperative complications or postoperative mortality. The postoperative hospital stay of the laparoscopic group was significantly shorter than that of the open group.

CONCLUSIONS

LLR in obese patients results in decreased intraoperative blood loss and shorter postoperative hospital stays compared with OLR. When performed in selected patients, LLR may be a safe and feasible option for obese patients.