Comparing Outcomes of Hiatal Hernia Repair on the Basis of BMI

The goal of this study is to evaluate whether patients with body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 who undergo hiatal hernia repair are at an increased risk of recurrence and postoperative complications when compared to their counterparts with a BMI less than 35. This retrospective study evaluated patients who underwent elective hiatal hernia repair between 2017 and 2022 at a tertiary care center. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on BMI: those 35 or greater (BMI-H) and those less than 35 (BMIL). Propensity score matching was performed. BMI-H had 103 patients and BMI-L had 200 patients. The rates of recurrence at 1, 3, and 5 years postoperatively were not significant between the groups nor were the secondary outcomes. We should not exclude patients with a BMI equal to or greater than 35 from undergoing hiatal hernia repair on the basis of BMI alone.