Prediction of Airflow Obstruction and the Risk of Complications in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Turk, Y.; Sin, H.K.; Huisstede, A. van; Birnie, E.; Biter, U.; Hiemstra, P.S.; Braunstahl, G.J. (2019)

Article / Letter to editor

Morbidly obese subjects with airflow obstruction who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery appear to have the greatest risk to develop complications. In a retrospective cohort study, we identified a waist circumference >= 120 cm, smoking history >= 5PY and history of obstructive lung disease as statistically significant predictors of airflow obstruction. The resulting algorithm, aimed to identify subjects with airflow obstruction before bariatric surgery, was validated in a prospective study. The algorithm was found to be effective in identifying patients with low risk of airflow obstruction (negative predictive value 94.7%). Airflow obstruction, however, was not associated with post-operative complications as we expected. In contrast, inspiratory capacity and the Epworth Sleepiness scale were more promising predictors for post-operative complications in subjects undergoing bariatric surgery.

• Obesity
• Lung function
• Bariatric surgery
• Complications

• All authors: Turk, Y.; Sin, H.K.; Huisstede, A. van; Birnie, E.; Biter, U.; Hiemstra, P.S.; Braunstahl, G.J.
• Date: 2019-09-01
• Journal: Obesity Surgery
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 3076 - 3080
• DOI: doi:10.1007/s11695-019-03941-1