Abstract
Objective. We investigated whether higher body mass index (BMI) affects perioperative and postoperative outcomes after robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy. Methods. We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon between September 2010 and January 2015. Patients were grouped according to the World Health Organization's definition of obesity, with obese being defined as BMI >30.0 kg/m(2). Perioperative outcomes, including intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) and postoperative complication rates, were compared. Results. Over 53 months, 287 patients underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy, with 7 patients categorized as underweight, 94 patients categorized as normal weight, 106 patients categorized as overweight, and 80 patients categorized as obese. Because of the relatively low sample size, underweight patients were excluded from this study, leaving a total cohort of 280 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative complication rates, conversion rates, perioperative outcomes, or postoperative complication rates among the 3 groups, except for lower risk of prolonged air leaks 7 days and higher risk of pneumonia in patients with obesity. Conclusions. Patients with obesity do not have increased risk of intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for pneumonia, compared with normal weight and overweight patients. Robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is safe and effective for patients with high BMI.