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High BMI significantly increased complication rates during THA
Complication rates were high among patients with a body mass index of 50 kg/m2 or greater who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty, and weight loss should be considered prior to surgery to reduce this rate, according to study results.
Researchers reviewed 42 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) among super-obese patients — those with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 kg/m2 or greater — and compared them with a control group of 84 THAs in patients with a BMI less than 50 kg/m2 at surgery.
Compared with the control group, study results showed significantly lower mean preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Scores in patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater. However, the researchers found both groups improved significantly from their mean preoperative score after surgery.
Postoperatively, the number of patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater who did not rely on gait aids for ambulation increased from 24% to 39%. Ninety percent of patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater reported only slight or no hip pain postoperatively vs. 89% of controls, according to the researchers.
Overall, when compared with control-group patients, those with a BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater had significantly increased risk of severe complications, including wound complication or any kind of complication.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.