BODY MASS INDEX RECORDING RATES IN SURGICAL PATIENTS FROM A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Background: Current literature reports a global increase in body mass index (BMI), particularly in developed nations, which has been shown to increase the risk of peri-operative complications. We performed a retrospective assessment of BMI in patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery in a district general hospital and reviewed the current literature pertaining to the effects of BMI on peri-operative patient management. Methods: Demographic data, clinical parameters, operative intervention and post-operative outcomes were recorded for each patient over a 5-year period. The primary end-point was recording of BMI in clinical notes. Secondary end-point points were intra-operative complications and peri-operative morbidity and mortality rates. Results: 565 patients (M=345) were assessed, who underwent 353 and 212 elective and emergency procedures respectively, between January 2002 and December 2007. The mean age was 55 years (range 8-89). BMI recording was complete in 235 (41.5%) patients, which was subdivided into 200 (85.1%) and 35 (14.9%) elective and emergency procedures respectively (range 18.5-40.0kg/m 2 ). Overall there were 18 complications recorded out of the 565 patients (elective=10, emergency=8) where 8 (44.4%) patients had an increased BMI > 25 kg/m 2 . Conclusions: Following the identification of poor compliance for BMI recording in our unit, a newly implemented nurse-led pre-assessment clinic, supervised by a Consultant Anaesthetist, now records BMI as part of the operative workup. As a simplistic, easily measurable tool when estimating potential surgical risk, we would suggest that BMI recording should be considered in the patient care pathway.