Obesity and Outcomes After Surgery for Thoracoabdominal and Abdominal Gunshot Injuries

This retrospective observational study evaluated whether obesity was associated with outcomes after surgery for thoracoabdominal or isolated abdominal gunshot injuries. Adult patients who underwent surgery for these injuries at a referral trauma center between 2020 and 2025 were included. Patients were grouped according to body mass index, with obesity defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or higher. Clinical characteristics, injury-related variables, perioperative findings, postoperative complications, need for reoperation, intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation, hospital stay, and mortality were evaluated. The study aimed to determine whether outcomes differed between patients with and without obesity and to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older. * Patients underwent surgery for a thoracoabdominal or isolated abdominal gunshot injury at the study center between 2020 and 2025. Exclusion Criteria: * Death in the emergency department before surgery. * Arrival without signs of life. * Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of 3 or greater in a body region other than the thoracoabdominal or abdominal region of interest. * Transfer from another hospital.