Influence of obesity on the patient’s recovery after laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

The influence of obesity on the recovery of patients after laparoscopic surgery is multi-faceted and complex, presenting both challenges and advantages brought by laparoscopic technology. This study assessed clinicopathologic differences and 1-year outcomes following elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with obesity and gallstone disease. Generally, obesity increases the difficulty of laparoscopic surgery and the risk of postoperative complications, thereby having a negative impact on the recovery process. However, compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has greatly reduced the surgical trauma and promoted their postoperative recovery. Despite these preoperative differences, obesity did not adversely affect short-term surgical outcomes after elective LC. However, LC can reduce incision-related complications in obese patients and help lower the risk of pulmonary complications. Patients can move around earlier, which is crucial for preventing thrombosis. Laparoscopic surgery has brought more recovery advantages to obese patients. Through meticulous preoperative assessment, precise intraoperative operation and good postoperative management, the negative impact of obesity factors on patients can be reduced.

Keywords: Obesity; Laparoscopic surgery; Postoperative period; Outcome assessment; Recovery

Core Tip: Laparoscopic surgery is significantly superior to open surgery in terms of safety, efficacy, and recovery, making it well-suited to the physiological characteristics of obese patients. Although it demands greater technical skill, it offers the better benefits to this patient population.