Research shows obese individuals require additional surgery time

A new study explains that surgeons have a much more difficult time when conducting knee replacement surgeries on individuals who are overweight or obese when compared to patients with a normal body weight.

The research analyzed various aspects involving the surgery, including staff scheduling, the use of operating rooms, and even staffing availability. Additionally, the study raised the idea that surgeries may want to bill based on the amount of time the surgery took to complete as well.

Until now, the weight or body mass index of an individual was not taken into account when scheduling a surgery.

General scheduling principles mean a surgeon will have upwards of five replacement surgeries to conduct in a single day, and if each of the procedures requires additional time due to the weight of the patient, overtime must be paid.

Experts explain that obesity itself may require knee surgeries at some point due to the added strain on the joints.

The study concluded that obese individuals often require as much as 20 percent additional time to conduct a surgery.