Improvement in Racial Disparity Among Patients Undergoing Panniculectomy After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Background A disparity exists in patients receiving panniculectomies. We evaluated this disparity and assessed if it persists once patients are integrated into the healthcare system through bariatric surgery. Methods All patients who received bariatric surgery (n=2,528), panniculectomies (n=1,333) and panniculectomies after bariatric surgery (n=48) at the University of Pennsylvania between January 1, 2012 and March 1, 2017 were retrospectively identified. Demographic information and post-operative details were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results 43% (n=1,087) of bariatric surgery patients were African-American compared to 25% (n=339) of all panniculectomy patients and 52% (n=25) of panniculectomy after bariatric surgery patients. The racial disparity among all patients receiving a panniculectomy was not present in patients receiving bariatric surgery beforehand (p Conclusion The disparity seen in patients receiving panniculectomies is not present when patients are integrated into the healthcare system through bariatric surgery.