Surgical Complications Following Appendectomy in Obese Patients: A Single Tertiary Care Center Study

Background The escalating global prevalence of obesity raises concerns about its implications for health outcomes. While obesity is acknowledged as a major risk factor for various diseases, its impact on appendicitis and appendectomy outcomes remains less explored. Methods Data on overweight and obese adults aged 18 to 65 treated for appendicitis in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were collected retrospectively. The sample included 1,471 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between January 2015 and January 2022. The sample did not include patients who were outside the age range, underwent conservative or elective treatment, or were pregnant. Data were collected via the National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA's) BESTCare 2.0 system. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) software. Results The final cohort comprised 564 patients, predominantly male (63.65%) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.41. Comorbidities exhibited varying prevalence among BMI groups, with significant differences observed for diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Notably, 86.35% of the patients did not present with complicated appendicitis or encounter complications, irrespective of BMI. The study found comparable rates of diagnostic CT scan usage across BMI categories. Obese patients displayed a statistically significant trend of longer hospital stays, potentially linked to increased comorbidities and being diagnosed at a later age. Conclusion While obesity has been linked to adverse health outcomes, this study found that appendicitis and its surgical management were less influenced by obesity than previously thought. The findings advocate a nuanced approach, acknowledging the impact of obesity on hospitalization trends. This study challenges the assumption that the management of appendicitis in the obese population needs a more tailored intervention.