The increased utilization of operating room time in patients with increased BMI during primary total hip arthroplasty.

While obesity is associated with increased need for total hip arthroplasty (THA), the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and operative duration is unknown. We reviewed a series of 425 primary THAs implanted by one surgeon from 2004 to 2010. Patients were grouped by BMI based on the World Health Organization's categorization. Intraoperative time measurements (Total Room Time, Anesthesia Induction Time, Surgery Time) were compared across groups. Mean times were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with post-hoc least squares difference test. Operating time increased progressively with increasing BMI category. Significant differences were found between normal weight patients and all 3 obesity groups in total room and surgery times. Obese patients spend more time in the OR during THA, reflecting the burden obesity poses to surgeons and hospitals.