Effect of Obesity on Outcome of Hallux Valgus Surgery

Obesity is a global epidemic, but its effect on foot and ankle surgeries is not well defined. This study aimed to investigate the influence of obesity on functional outcome scores, incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI), and repeat surgery after hallux valgus (HV) corrective surgery.

Between January 2007 and December 2011, 452 patients who underwent HV corrective surgery at a tertiary hospital were evaluated. They were categorized into 2 groups based on their body mass index (BMI): (1) BMI less than 30 kg/m(2) (control); (2) BMI 30 kg/m(2) or more (obese). The patients were prospectively followed for 2 years.

Patients in the obese group were significantly older by 4 years (95% CI, 1-7 years) (P = .043). The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal (AOFAS Hallux MTP-IP) Scale and Physical Component Score were 6 points (95% CI, 1-11 points) and 3 points (95% CI, 1-6 points) poorer, respectively, in the obese group (P = .014 and P = .032, respectively). However, the Visual Analog Scale, AOFAS Hallux MTP-IP Scale, Physical Component Score, and Mental Component Score were comparable between the 2 groups at 6 months and 2 years of follow-up (all P > .05). Eleven patients (3%) in the control group and 1 patient in the obese group (2%) developed postoperative SSI (P = .777). Nine patients (2%) in the control group and 7 patients in the obese group (14%) required repeat surgery for complications (P < .001).

The authors conclude that while it is important to warn obese patients of the significantly higher risk of repeat surgery, these patients should not be excluded from undergoing HV surgery.

Level III, retrospective comparative series.