The Impact of Obesity on Intraoperative Complications in Rectal Cancer

Obesity leads to a higher risk of intraoperative complications in rectal cancer surgery, increased conversion rates, and greater ICU resource utilisation. These findings highlight the technical challenges of rectal surgery in obese patients and emphasize the need for tailored preoperative planning, prehabilitation, and intraoperative strategies. Despite these intraoperative difficulties, structured postoperative care appears to mitigate differences in postoperative outcomes. Further research should explore preoperative interventions, such as weight optimization programs, to improve surgical outcomes in this high-risk population.