Obesity boosts Back Surgery Complications

Ed Smith

Contributor

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In a recent study from Thomas Jefferson University in Pittsburgh, 332 cases of thoraic and lumbar surgeries were reviewed for complication rates. Extrememely overweight and obese patients were much more likely to suffer complications such as wound infections, blood clots, heart problems and deep vein thrombosis. As the body mass index (BMI) increased over 30 the incidence of complications increased greatly.

Many spinal surgeons refuse to do back surgery if their patient is grossly overweight or obese.