Obesity does not adversely affect outcomes after laparoscopic splenectomy

Abstract Background Obesity is still considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). Methods All patients undergoing LS at our institution were classified as obese or nonobese (group A, body mass index [BMI] >30; group B, BMI Results Three hundred seventy patients who underwent LS were included. Baseline characteristics were similar in groups A (n = 127; mean BMI, 36.2 ± 6.9 kg/m 2 ) and B (n = 243; mean BMI, 24.6 ± 2.9 kg/m 2 ). Conversion rates and overall morbidity were similar in both groups (9% vs 11% for conversion to open procedures, P = .621; 16% vs 16% for morbidity rates, P = .940). Length of hospital stay and EBL were also comparable ( P = .643 and P = .544, respectively). Mean operative time was significantly increased in the obese group on multivariate analysis (170 vs 151 minutes, P = .021). Conclusions Obesity does not adversely affect outcomes after LS. The laparoscopic approach is the optimal technique for splenectomy regardless of the patient's weight.