[Effects of increased body mass index on immediate clinical efficacy of radical gastrectomy].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of increased body mass index (BMI) on immediate clinical efficacy of radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: The data of 258 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy were collected retrospectively from January 2009 to January 2013. They were grouped by BMI into obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², n = 118) and non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m², n = 140) groups. And their intra and post-operative findings and survivals were compared between two groups. Follow-ups until January 2014 were conducted by outpatient visits, mail and telephone. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: For obese and non-obese groups, operative durations were (208.6 ± 60.9), (178.1 ± 62.5) min and number of lymph node dissection (23.4 ± 8.3), (29.8 ± 12.2) pieces respectively. And the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). And blood loss, overall incidence of postoperative complications, the number of metastatic lymph node dissection were (272.4 ± 128.8) ml, 30.5% (36/118), (7.9 ± 8.8) pieces and (260.8 ± 160.4) ml, 24.3% (34/140), (8.6 ± 10.2) pieces respectively. And the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The median follow-up period was 23 months. And the difference of cumulative survival was not statistically significant (χ² = 1.199, P = 0.274). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is not an independent prognostic foactor for gastric cancer. But its related complications should be actively handled preoperatively. Intraoperative procedures are strictly performed. And postoperative nutritional supports are needed to lower the incidence of complications and imporve the prognosis.