In for a Penny, in for a Pound: Obesity weighs heavily on both cost and outcome in trauma

Abstract

Background: The current literature offers mixed conclusions regarding the effect of increased body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after trauma laparotomy. This study evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes and cost for patients undergoing trauma laparotomy at a level 1 trauma center.

Study design: Data on patients requiring trauma laparotomy in 2016 were prospectively collected and patients were stratified by BMI. Statistical analyses were used to determine variables significantly associated with patient morbidity and length of stay.

Results: 313 patients underwent trauma laparotomy: 225 non-obese, 69 obese, and 19 morbidly obese. Obese and morbidly obese patients had longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay (LOS), more ventilator days, larger hospital costs, and higher morbidity compared to non-obese patients. Obesity was an independent predictor for patient morbidity, ICU, and hospital LOS.

Conclusions: Morbidity and length of stay increased with worsening obesity after trauma laparotomy, contributing to rising hospital costs.

Keywords: Obesity; Trauma laparotomy.