Impact of Obesity on Operative Time, Blood Loss, and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Elective General Surgery Procedures

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association of obesity with operative time, intra-operative blood loss and postoperative results of patients undergoing elective general surgical procedures.

Study Design: A comparative observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the department of General surgery of Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal during January 2025 and June 2025.

Methods: 200 patients undergoing elective general surgical procedures were included and were classified into obese and non-obese groups according to the criteria of the BMI. Demographic and operative data, including estimated blood loss, postoperative complication data (wound infection, delayed healing, and hospital stay) and data regarding the hospital's location were collected. Appropriate test statistics were used for statistical analysis and a p value of < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results: The operative time and the amount of blood loss were significantly longer and greater, respectively, in obese patients than in non-obese patients. There were also more complications following surgery such as wound infection and a longer hospital stay in obese people.

Conclusion: Obesity has a negative correlation with the surgical difficulty, postoperative outcome, the length of operation and blood loss. Perioperative optimization of the obese patient is crucial to optimize surgical outcomes, and these steps must begin with preoperative optimization.