Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcomes in Robotic Gastric Cancer Surgery

ABSTRACT Background This study aimed to explore the effect of BMI on intraoperative conditions and postoperative complications (POCs) in robotic GC surgery. Methods This is a retrospective analysis conducted on 60 patients who have GC and received robotic radical gastrectomy (RG) in our hospital. The patients were allocated into normal (18.5 kg/m 2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m 2 ) and high‐BMI groups (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ). The effect of BMI on intraoperative conditions and POCs was examined. Results The results revealed no statistical differences between both groups in terms of surgical procedure ( p = 0.669), time of first postoperative flatus ( p = 0.172), in‐hospital stay ( p = 0.454), Retrieved LNs (Lymph nodes) number ( p = 1.000) and POCs ( p < 0.05). However, the high BMI group had greater intraoperative bleeding ( p = 0.018) and longer operating time ( p = 0.016). Conclusions To conclude, BMI may not affect the safety of RG for GC. Nevertheless, high BMI was associated with increased blood loss and prolonged operative time.