Obesity is a negative predictor of success after surgery for complex anal fistula
2011

Obesity Affects Surgery Success for Anal Fistulas

Sample size: 220 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Oliver Schwandner

Primary Institution: Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brueder Regensburg

Hypothesis

Does obesity predict the success of surgery for complex anal fistulas?

Conclusion

Obese patients are at higher risk for failure after surgery for complex anal fistula.

Supporting Evidence

  • Obesity was identified as an independent predictive factor of surgical success or failure.
  • The primary healing rate for the whole group was 82%.
  • Recurrence rates were significantly lower in non-obese patients compared to obese patients.

Takeaway

If you're overweight and need surgery for an anal fistula, it might not work as well for you as it would for someone who isn't overweight.

Methodology

Patients with complex anal fistulas who underwent surgery were recorded and analyzed based on their BMI.

Potential Biases

No financial support was received, but the study was self-funded.

Limitations

The study had a short follow-up period and potential reporting bias.

Participant Demographics

55% of patients were female, mean age was 39 years, with 69% non-obese and 31% obese.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-230X-11-61

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