Assessing the effect of body mass index on perioperative outcomes and short-term recurrence after paraesophageal hernia repair

Previous assessments suggest that surgical results of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair were negatively impacted by increasing levels of obesity. A better understanding of the association of obesity on outcomes of PEH repair will support surgeons making evidence-based decisions on the surgical candidacy of individual patients. This single institution retrospective cohort study included 884 consecutive patients with giant PEH undergoing surgical repair between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2020. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) was documented at the time of surgery. Main outcomes included perioperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, major complications, early hernia recurrence, and mortality. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at surgery was 68.4 (11.1), and 645 (73.0%) were women. Among the 884 patients, 875 had a documented immediate preoperative BMI and were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) BMI was 29.24 (4.91) kg/m2. Increasing BMI was not associated with increased perioperative blood loss (coefficient, 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.01 to 0.02), prolonged length of stay (coefficient, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.01), increased incidence of recurrent hernia (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.95-1.10), or increased major complications (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.05). The 90-day mortality rate was 0.3%. Furthermore, when compared with the normal weight group, overweight and all levels of obesity were not related to unfavorable outcomes. No association was found between BMI and perioperative outcomes or short-term recurrence in patients undergoing PEH repair. Although preoperative weight loss is advisable, a higher BMI should not preclude or delay surgical management of giant PEH.