Effects of the morbid obesity and skin incision choices on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on surgical outcomes in patients who underwent gynecologic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, we evaluated 132 patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with or without salpingo-oophorectomy for benign gynecologic procedures at our tertiary referral gynaecology clinic. RESULTS: The non-morbid obese group [body mass index (BMI) <40 kg/m(2)] included 94 patients, and the morbid obese group (BMI ≥40 kg/m(2)) included 38 patients. The perioperative outcomes of the groups were compared. The mean operative time was significantly longer for morbid obese patients than non-morbid obese patients (p<0.05). Estimated blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, postoperative hemoglobin values, and the need for an intraabdominal drain were similar between the groups. Early and late postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the morbid obese group than the other group (p<0.05, for each). Early postoperative complications in patients who underwent vertical skin incision were significantly more frequent than in patients who underwent pfannenstiel incision (p<0.05). Late complications were comparable between the two types of skin incision. CONCLUSION: Morbid obesity significantly increases the mean operative times and the postoperative complication rates of abdominal hysterectomy operations.