Panniculectomy adjuvant to obesity surgery.

BACKGROUND

Many patients who qualify for obesity surgery have a moderate to large panniculus (grade 1-5). They can benefit from panniculectomy done concurrently with gastric bypass (GBP) or subsequently after significant weight reduction, usually 18 months after the GBP.

METHODS

Over the last 8 years, 2,231 bariatric operations were performed at the Center. 577 panniculectomies were done, with 428 (74.2%) concurrent with the GBP and 149 (25.8%) subsequent to the GBP.

RESULTS

The redundant pannus weighed from 5 to 54.5 kg. Wound problems occured in 15.1% of panniculectomies. Transfusion was necessary in 1.9%. Hospital stay was 4 to 5 days, and was no greater than in patients that underwent the GBP alone. Those with grades 3-5 suffer more back-pain and problems of hygiene resulting from panniculitis.

CONCLUSIONS

A very redundant panniculus compounds the patient's physical, social and emotional problems. Where cardiopulmonary and other medical status are satisfactory, a panniculectomy may be offered to patients with a symptomatic panniculus at the time of bariatric surgery, as a physically beneficial and cost-effective adjuvant.