Association Between Obesity and Postoperative Complications in Surgical Patients

¹Dr Muharram Ali, ²Dr Suhail Ahmed Channa, ³Muhammad Kamran Khan, ⁴Dr. Saadullah Afridi, ⁵Dr Ihsanullah khan, ⁶Dr Abid Ali

Submission: 31 January 2026 | Acceptance: 27 February 2026 | Publication: 05 April 2026

¹Associate Professor surgery,SMBBMU larkana

²Surgical unit 1 CMC Teaching Hospital Larkana

³Assistant professor of Surgery Dawadmi college of medicine, Shaqra University, KSA

⁴Professor of Public Health Director Saihad Institute of Health Sciences,Peshawar.

⁵Assistant Professor Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre Hayatabad Peshawar

⁶Incharge ENT opd sir ganga ram hospital Lahore

Correspondence Author: Dr Abid Ali, Incharge ENT opd sir ganga ram hospital Lahore.

Abstract

Background:
Obesity has become a major global health concern and is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for adverse surgical outcomes. It is associated with multiple comorbidities and physiological changes that may increase the risk of postoperative complications. This study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and postoperative complications in surgical patients.

Methods:
A quantitative observational analytical study was conducted on 200 adult patients undergoing surgical procedures in a tertiary care hospital over a period of six months. Patients were categorized into non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m²) and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) groups based on World Health Organization criteria. Data regarding demographic characteristics, comorbidities, type and duration of surgery, and postoperative complications were collected using a structured proforma. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. The chi-square test and independent t-test were applied where appropriate, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of postoperative complications. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Out of 200 patients, 110 (55%) were non-obese and 90 (45%) were obese. Postoperative complications were significantly higher in obese patients (57.8%) compared to non-obese patients (25.4%) (p <0.001). Surgical site infections (30% vs 11.8%), respiratory complications (22.2% vs 8.2%), and wound dehiscence (14.4% vs 5.4%) were more frequent in the obese group. Obese patients also had longer operative times (120 ± 25 minutes vs 95 ± 20 minutes) and extended hospital stays (7.5 ± 2.3 days vs 5.2 ± 1.8 days). Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity was an independent predictor of postoperative complications (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6–4.9, p <0.001).

Conclusion:
Obesity is significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and adversely affects surgical outcomes. It also contributes to prolonged operative time and hospital stay. Effective perioperative management and targeted preventive strategies are essential to reduce complications in obese surgical patients.

Keywords:
Obesity, Postoperative Complications, Surgical Site Infection, BMI, Surgical Outcomes, Risk Factors