Pulmonary complications after outpatient surgery linked to BMI

Editor's Note

Obese Class II and III were associated with an independent risk of pulmonary complications after outpatient surgery in this study.

Of 444,532 patients included in this analysis, there were 996 all cause pulmonary complications. Binary logistic regression identified body mass index (BMI) as an independent predictor of a pulmonary complication.

Adjusted odds of a pulmonary complication with a BMI of 35 to 39.99 kg/m2 (Class II) was 1.44, and 40 to 49.99 kg.m2 (Class III) was 1.68, compared with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.99 kg/m2 (not obese).

The risk associated with obesity was low, however, compared with advanced age, prolonged length of surgery, and comorbidities, the researchers conclude.

The current literature is controversial regarding the importance of obese body mass index (BMI) classifications as a risk factor for pulmonary complications following outpatient surgery. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate predictors of pulmonary outcomes following outpatient surgery and to assess the importance of BMI weight classifications in risk assessment.