Complication rates and resource utilization after total hip and knee arthroplasty stratified by body mass index

Over 295,000 patients from 2016 to 2018 in a national database were grouped into normal weight (BMI 18.5 to <25 kg/m²), overweight (25 to <30), type-1 obese (30 to <35), type-2 obese (35 to <40), and type-3 obese (40 or higher). Differences in resource utilization and complication rates across BMI categories were compared. In comparison to normal weight patients, overweight and obese patients undergoing TJA were at risk for increased resource utilization and various early complications. Patients undergoing TKA with a BMI up to 45 kg/m² are at similar risk for 30-day postoperative complications when compared to type-1 obese patients.