To develop a consensus on the management of obese patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including specific definitions, BMI cut-offs, pre-operative optimization, intra-operative precautions, and post-operative protocols.
Key Findings:
9 out of 28 questions reached consensus on important surgical aspects for TKA in obese patients, indicating critical areas of agreement.
Consensus was achieved on pre-operative selection, intra-operative techniques, and post-operative considerations, which are essential for improving patient outcomes.
Interpretation:
The study provides essential guidelines for managing TKA in obese patients, addressing a significant gap in existing clinical pathways.
Limitations:
Only 9 out of 28 questions reached consensus, indicating areas of ongoing debate that may affect clinical decision-making.
The study's reliance on self-reported data from experienced surgeons may introduce bias, potentially impacting the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion:
This study is the first of its kind to generate consensus guidelines for TKA in obese patients, highlighting the need for standardized management protocols to improve surgical outcomes.
