The Effect of Body Mass Index on Patients' Outcomes Following Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy and Splenectomy

Background and objectives: Obesity has increased over the past decade, yet the correlation among body mass index (BMI), surgical outcomes, and the robotic platform are not well established. This study was undertaken to measure the impact of elevated BMI on outcomes after robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.

Methods: We prospectively followed patients who underwent robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Regression analysis was utilized to identify significant relationships with BMI. For illustrative purposes, the data are presented as median (mean ± SD). Significance was determined at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: A total of 122 patients underwent robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Median age was 68 (64 ± 13.3), 52% were women, and BMI was 28 (29 ± 6.1) kg/m². One patient was underweight (< 18.5 kg/m²), 31 had normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), 43 were overweight (25-29.9 kg/m²), and 47 were obese (≥ 30 kg/m²). BMI was inversely correlated with age (p = 0.05) but there was no correlation with sex (p = 0.72). There were no statistically significant relationships between BMI and operative duration (p = 0.36), estimated blood loss (p = 0.42), intraoperative complications (p = 0.64), and conversion to open approach (p = 0.74). Major morbidity (p = 0.47), clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (p = 0.45), length of stay (p = 0.71), lymph nodes harvested (p = 0.79), tumor size (p = 0.26), and 30-day mortality (p = 0.31) were related to BMI.

Conclusion: BMI has no significant effect on patients undergoing robotic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. BMI greater than 30 kg/m² should not defer proceeding with robotic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Limited empirical evidence exists in the literature regarding patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m², and thus any proposed operative intervention should invoke sufficient planning and preparation.