(506) Tracheotomy Outcomes in Super-super Obese Patients, Are They Worse?

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to explore the presence of trends in postoperative complications and/or mortality between Super-super obese patients, BMI>60, Super obese patients, BMI 50-59.99, and obese patients, BMI 30-49.99.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients treated at a single tertiary care center who underwent tracheotomy from January 1, 2010 through January 1, 2023. Inclusion criteria for patients included age>18 years and BMI>30 at time of tracheotomy. Medical records were reviewed and patient characteristics (BMI, race/ethnicity, sex, age, comorbidities), history of previous tracheotomy, length of time for ventilator dependence, post-operative complications (pneumothorax, bleeding, fistula formation), and 30-day mortality rates were extracted.

Results: The three groups consisted of 1) BMI>60 2) BMI 50-59.99 3) BMI 30-49.99. Primary outcomes consisted of presence post operative complications, including pneumothorax, bleeding, development of tracheal vascular fistulas (p>0.99), and 30-day mortality (p=0.50) which were both calculated amongst the 3 groups using chi-squared analysis. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay (p=0.33) and amount of perioperative blood loss (p=0.82) which were both calculated amongst the 3 groups using ANOVA analysis.

Conclusions: No increased risk for postoperative complications were observed in Super-super obese patients when compared to Super obese patients and obese patients. Therefore, no evidence from this study can be used to support special considerations for management for this upper threshold subset of the obese population.