Obese patients face higher readmission rates after laparoscopic colectomy, influencing surgical decisions.

• Obese patients had longer surgeries (median 175 vs. 164 min, p=0.004) and higher 30-day readmission (11.8% vs. 8.8%, p=0.04).
• No significant differences in major complications, reoperation, or mortality between obese and non-obese patients.

Consider the increased readmission risk when selecting candidates for surgery, even in skilled hands.

• Increased BMI correlates with anastomotic leak risk, but not with other major complications or conversion rates.