Impact of obesity on complications after resection for rectal cancer. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bokey, L.; Chapuis, P. H.; Dent, O. F.
• Is Part Of: Colorectal disease. Volume 16:Number 11(2014)
• Page Start: 896
• Page End: 906
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Colon (Anatomy) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Rectum -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.34
• DOI: 10.1111/codi.12726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-8910

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="codi12726-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="codi12726-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The prevalence of obesity in Australia is high and increasing, with associated serious negative effects on health. The technical complexity of rectal cancer surgery is exacerbated in obese patients, which may compromise outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between obesity and complications after resection of rectal cancer.</p> </sec> <sec id="codi12726-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Data were drawn from a comprehensive prospective registry of rectal cancer resections performed from 2007 to 2011 by members of the colorectal surgical unit in a tertiary referral hospital and in a single private hospital with which they were affiliated.</p> </sec> <sec id="codi12726-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of 255 patients who had a resection for rectal cancer during the study period, 95 (37%) were classified as obese on the basis of a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. Among 24 postoperative complications the only significant differences for obese patients were higher rates of wound complications (16% <italic>vs</italic> 8%, <italic>P </italic>= 0.038), small bowel obstruction (4% <italic>vs</italic> 0%, <italic>P</italic> = 0.019) and prolonged ileus (18% <italic>vs</italic> 8%, <italic>P </italic>= 0.011). The total number of complications did not differ significantly between obese and nonobese patients, and there was no difference between obese and nonobese patients in the rates of reoperation and postoperative death.</p> </sec> <sec id="codi12726-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This study did not support an association between obesity and early postoperative complications after resection of rectal cancer.</p> </sec> </abstract>