Does obesity increase early postoperative complications after laparoscopic colorectal surgery? Results from a single center

Background Laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) has several advantages over open surgery, but LCRS has been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications (POCs) among obese patients [body mass index (BMI), ≥30 kg/m 2 ]. The prevalence of obesity in Chile is increasing, up to 25.1 % in 2010, suggesting that a higher percentage of patients undergoing LCRS will be obese. This study compared POC rates between obese and nonobese patients undergoing LCRS. Methods This study included case and control patients in a prospectively maintained LCRS database who underwent LCRS between July 2007 and June 2012 at Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Obese and nonobese (BMI