Ant-waist surgery adversely affects lung function: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Body contouring surgery for the removal of the 11th and 12th ribs is undertaken for aesthetic appeal in female and transgender populations. The potential adverse effects of the surgery on lung function and respiratory muscle strength have not been previously studied. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of 'Ant-waist' surgery on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in individuals who had undergone surgery.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with two groups, an Anti-waist group who had undergone surgery and an age and gender matched control group. Participants performed lung function tests to determine measurements of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MIP, and MEP. Independent t-tests were performed to determine between-group differences in outcomes and Pearson's correlation coefficients determined the relationship between lung function and respiratory muscle strength, and number of years since surgery.

Results: There was a significant between-group difference in FEV1 (-0.83; 95%CI -1.30, -0.36; p<0.001), FEV1%pred. (-34.91; 95%CI -48.92, -20.90; p<0.001), FVC%pred. (-22.73; 95%CI -32.84, -12.62; p<0.001), PEF%pred. (-44.18; 95%CI -61.52, -26.84; p<0.001) and MEP (-68.27; -102.48, -34.07; p<0.001). There were significantly large, negative correlations (r>0.5) between the number of years after surgery and FEV1 (p=0.002), FEV1%pred. (p=0.0001); and PEF%pred. (p=0.032).

Conclusions: This study has identified that aesthetic surgery for the removal of ribs 11 and 12 had a significant adverse effect on lung function and respiratory muscle strength in Jordanian females. The potential adverse effects should be carefully explained by surgeons to patients considering the surgery.