Influence of body habitus on feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic liver resections: a prospective study

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate whether the anthropometric measures of A Body Shape Index (ABSI, taking into account waist circumference adjusted for height and weight) affects feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic liver resections. MethodsOne hundred patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection were prospectively included in the study (2014-2015). Preoperative clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI) and ABSI were evaluated for associations with intraoperative outcome and postoperative results (morbidity, mortality and functional recovery). ResultsTwenty-two and 78 patients underwent major and minor hepatectomies, respectively. Conversion rate was 9%, mean blood loss was 210 115ml. Postoperative morbidity was 15% and mortality was nil. Mean length of stay was 4days. When considering the entire series, ABSI was not associated with intra and postoperative outcome. After stratification of patients according to difficulty score, Pearson's correlation demonstrated an association between ABSI and intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.03) and time for functional recovery (P = 0.05) in patients undergoing resections with high score of difficulty. ConclusionBody habitus has an influence on outcome of laparoscopic liver resections with high degree of difficulty, while feasibility and outcome of low difficulty resections seem not to be affected by anthropometric measures.