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Comparison of abdominal adipose tissue versus body mass index (BMI) as a predictor of complications and survival in liver transplantation

  • 0General Surgery, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (HUMV), Santander, Spain.
Cirugia Espanola +

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March 20, 2024

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March 20, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Obesity in liver transplant (LT) recipients does not increase postoperative complications but significantly lowers long-term survival. Body Mass Index (BMI) effectively predicts survival in these patients.

Area Of Science

  • Hepatology
  • Transplant Surgery
  • Obesity Medicine

Background

  • Rising obesity rates increase the number of obese patients on liver transplant waiting lists.
  • Obesity-related diseases may complicate liver transplantation (LT) and reduce patient survival.
  • Lack of established metrics hinders decision-making for obese LT candidates.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate obesity's impact on liver transplant outcomes.
  • To assess Body Mass Index (BMI) and CT-measured adipose tissue (AAT) as predictors of complications and survival.
  • To establish cut-off points for obesity parameters in LT recipients.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective single-center study of 164 adult LT recipients (2012-2019).
  • Utilized the 'piggyback' LT technique, preserving the recipient vena cava.
  • Calculated visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and BMI to correlate with outcomes.

Main Results

  • No significant association found between BMI, AAT/height, or VAT/height and postoperative complications.
  • Lower 5-year survival observed in LT recipients with BMI ≥30.45 (43.11 months) vs. <30.45 (58.97 months).
  • Significantly lower survival also seen with AAT/height ≥27.35 mm (46.34 months) vs. <27.35 mm (57.69 months).

Conclusions

  • Obesity, assessed by BMI and AAT, does not increase postoperative complications after liver transplantation.
  • Higher BMI (≥30.45) and AAT/height (≥27.35 mm) are linked to significantly reduced long-term survival.
  • BMI is a valid and predictive measure of obesity for assessing LT recipient survival.

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