Visceral fat is associated with high-grade complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive partial

Kelan Nesbitt1, Pranav Sharma1

  • 1Department of Urology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.

Current Urology
|June 4, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Visceral obesity, a measure of abdominal fat, independently predicts high-grade complications after partial nephrectomy for small renal masses. This finding highlights the importance of considering visceral adiposity in surgical risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Obesity Medicine

Background:

  • Minimally invasive partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for small renal masses.
  • Patient obesity is a growing concern in surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between subcutaneous and visceral obesity and high-grade postoperative complications.
  • To identify predictors of complications following minimally invasive partial nephrectomy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 98 patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (2014-2017).
  • Stratification based on high-grade (Clavien ≥ IIIa) 30-day postoperative complications.
  • Multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine independent predictors.

Main Results:

  • 5.1% of patients experienced high-grade 30-day postoperative complications.
  • Mean visceral fat index was an independent predictor of high-grade complications (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.002-1.03; P=0.027).
  • Tumor characteristics included mean nephrometry score of 6.7 and 84.7% clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusions:

  • Visceral obesity is a significant prognostic indicator for outcomes in patients with small renal masses.
  • Consideration of visceral fat may improve preoperative risk stratification and patient counseling.