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Obesity increases rate of complications after pelvic and acetabular fractures
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Increase in complications after operative pelvic fixation of acetabular and pelvic fractures are correlated with obesity and morbid obesity, according to study results.
Researchers retrospectively collected data for 5 years of 95 patients with isolated pelvic fractures, 118 with isolated acetabular fractures and 31 patients had a combination of both fracture types. Patients were found in the Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons data base and researchers collected data which included demographics, Injury Severity Score, mechanical ventilation duration, hospital length of stay, and complications.
Initial trauma admission history and physical examinations were used to calculate the BMI. In hospital complications were the primary outcome variable. The rate of operative complications were determined with subgroup analysis of patients who underwent treatment for pelvic or acetabular fractures.
Results showed the mean Injury Severity Score was 12.8 with motor vehicle collisions as the most common injury mechanism followed by falls from heights greater than standing and other. BMI on average was 27.4 kg/m². No difference was observed between nonobese patients and obese patients with regard to operative interventions. Patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more compared with nonobese patients had a significantly longer length of hospital stay.
There were 19 patients who developed complications. Complication rates were statistically significant among patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m², 30 to 39 kg/m², 40 kg/m² or greater. Complication rates were not different in fractures treated operatively compared with those not operated on. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, a significant independent risk factor for complications after an injury was obesity when adjusted to age and the Injury Severity Score. Obese patients vs. nonobese patients had a significantly greater rate of complications, according to subgroup analysis.‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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