This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high body mass index (BMI) on the outcomes of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1729 patients with stage I to III gastric cancer who received open radical gastrectomy from February 2003 to August 2011. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI: a low BMI group (BMI < 18.5kg/m2), normal BMI group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25kg/m2), and high BMI group (BMI ≥ 25kg/m2). A total of 871 patients were included in the final analysis, of which the median BMI was 22.7kg/m2 (range 13.6-44.9kg/m2). A high BMI increased the risk of postoperative intestinal fistula but not the risk of a reduced number of examined lymph nodes or hospital death. Furthermore, a high BMI did not negatively affect the overall survival (OS) of gastric cancer patients. A high BMI increased the operative morbidity after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, a high BMI did not negatively affect the quality of lymphadenectomy or the OS of gastric cancer patients in experienced high-volume centers. A careful approach during operation and meticulous perioperative management are required for gastric cancer patients with a high BMI.
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