Preoperative factors predictive of complicated postoperative management after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

Introduction: This study was undertaken to determine preoperative predictive factors of complicated postoperative management after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for morbid obesity.

Methods: Between January 1999 and January 2002, 158 patients who underwent a RYGB received a standardized preoperative evaluation and data were collected prospectively. Complicated postoperative management was defined as patients requiring postoperative ICU admission for > or =48 h, or those needing transfer from the floor to the ICU. Patients with complicated management were compared with those in whom ICU admission was not necessary.

Results: Twenty-three patients (14.5%) required prolonged ICU admission (mean stay of 6.3 +/- 1.7 days). After multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI) >50 kg/m2, forced expiratory volume (FEV1) <80% predicted, previous abdominal surgeries, and abnormal EKG were found to be independently associated with an increased likelihood of complicated postoperative care.

Conclusion: BMI >50 kg/m2, FEV1 <80% predicted, previous abdominal surgeries, and abnormal EKG increase the likelihood of complicated postoperative management after RYGB for morbid obesity.