The Effect of Body Mass Index on Perioperative Outcomes After Major Surgery: Results from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP) 2005–2011

Abstract

The prevalence of BMI derangements in surgical patients is high. The effect of BMI on outcomes is procedure specific. Patients with BMI between 18.5 and 40-kg/m(2) at time of surgery fare equally well with regard to complications and mortality. However, morbidly obese patients are at-risk for postsurgical complications and targeted preoperative-optimization may improve outcomes and attenuate disparity in access-to-care.