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.
Igwe
D
D
Tri-City Regional Medical Center, Hawaiian Gardens, CA, USA. info@cstobesity.com
Stanczyk
M
M
Lee
H
H
Felahy
B
B
Tambi
J
J
Fobi
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications