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Anthropometric measurements and their value in predicting complications following reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty.

Lahiri A, Duff CG, Brown TL, Griffiths RW

University Hospitals Birmingham, Selly Oak Hospital, UK. anindyalahiri@hotmail.com

Body mass index (BMI) is the traditional way of assessing patients for body contouring surgery and has been shown to have a predictive value for surgical complications. In recent years, there have been discussions about accuracy of BMI as an indicator of obesity, and other obesity indices have been developed. This study aimed to measure and compare different anthropometric variables and examine their association with surgical morbidity. Prospective measurements of height, weight, waist, and percentage body fat were obtained preoperatively in 60 patients undergoing body contouring surgery. Demographics, patient characteristics, operative details, and postoperative complications were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using chi, ANOVA, or Spearman rank correlations as appropriate. We found that BMI, percentage of body fat, weight, height-to-weight ratio, and waist circumference all correlate well as indicators of obesity and showed similar trends in their association with surgical complications.

Published 1 March 2006 in Ann Plast Surg, 56(3): 248-50.
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