Laparoscopy decreases complications for obese patients undergoing elective rectal surgery.

Introduction: While there are many reported advantages to laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery, the impact of a laparoscopic approach on postoperative morbidity in obese patients undergoing rectal surgery has not been studied. Our goal was to determine whether obese patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal surgery experienced the same benefits as non-obese patients.

Methods: We identified patients undergoing rectal resections using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Participant Use Data File.