PHILADELPHIA, June 5 Obesity may contribute to a greater likelihood of post-operative complications for patients having pancreatic surgery, U.S. researchers found.
The study of 202 pancreatic surgeries from 2000 to 2005 indicates obese patients had an increased time on the operating table, blood loss, length of hospital stay and rate of serious complications compared to normal weight individuals, according to Dr. Adam Berger, of Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
In addition, 27 percent of obese patients had an increased rate of serious complications, compared with 18 percent of normal weight patients and 15 percent of overweight patients.
"A rise in a patient's Body Mass Index is one of the most important health issues facing healthcare professionals today," Berger said in a statement. "Higher BMI can lead to a greater risk of a patient developing diabetes and heart disease, as well as esophageal and pancreatic cancers."
Copyright 2007 by UPI
