Prior Bariatric Surgery is Associated with Improved Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes in Patients Who Have Obesity: A National Cohort Study with 6 Years of Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA). While total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed to reduce pain and improve function associated with OA, obesity has been associated with an increased risk of complications after THA. Although bariatric surgery may also be utilized to reduce weight, the impact of bariatric surgery on THA outcomes remains inadequately understood. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis utilized multicenter electronic medical record data ranging from 2003 to 2023. Patients who have obesity who underwent THA were stratified based on prior bariatric surgery. The final bariatric cohort comprised 451 patients after propensity score matching. Complication rates and revision risks were compared between cohorts at six, 24, and 72 months. Additional analysis stratified patients by interval between bariatric surgery and THA. RESULTS: At six-month follow-up, the bariatric cohort had significantly lower risks of surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). At 24 months, the bariatric cohort had a lower risk of DVT. At 72 month follow-up, the bariatric cohort had reduced rates of revision, mortality, cardiac morbidity, and Clavien-Dindo grade IV complications. CONCLUSION: Obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery prior to THA experienced reduced medical complications at all time points and reduced rates of revision at 72 months relative to a matched cohort who did not undergo bariatric surgery.

The impact of Pfannenstiel scars on TRAM flap complications.

For the past two decades, the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been a mainstay of postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Because the flap depends on musculocutaneous perforating vessels from the rectus muscle for survival, some authors have raised concerns about increased risks of TRAM flap loss in patients with scars from previous abdominal surgeries, particularly those with Pfannenstiel scars. To assess the effects of Pfannenstiel scars on complication rates, we retrospectively evaluated the inpatient and outpatient records of 241 patients undergoing TRAM reconstruction in a single institution over an 11-year period. Of these patients, 51 had previous Pfannenstiel scars. while 190 did not. Controlling for potential confounding variables (body mass index and timing of reconstruction), logistic regressions found no significant differences between the Pfannenstiel and nonPfannenstiel cohorts in the rate of flap loss (15.7% and 20%, respectively; P = 0.376) or in the incidence of postoperative abdominal donor site laxity (17.6% and 12.1%, respectively; P= 0.361). Within the Pfannenstiel group, the type of TRAM reconstruction (ie, pedicle versus free flaps) did not have a significant effect on complication rates. We conclude that previous concerns over the impact of preexisting Pfannenstiel scars on TRAM flap complications are unfounded.