A disparity exists in patients receiving panniculectomies. We evaluated this disparity and assessed if it persists once patients are integrated into the healthcare system through bariatric surgery.

All patients who received bariatric surgery (n = 2528), panniculectomies (n = 1333) and panniculectomies after bariatric surgery (n = 48) at the University of Pennsylvania between January 1, 2012 and March 1, 2017 were retrospectively identified. Demographic information and post-operative details were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

43% (n = 1087) of bariatric surgery patients were African-American compared to 25% (n = 339) of all panniculectomy patients and 52% (n = 25) of panniculectomy after bariatric surgery patients. The racial disparity among all patients receiving a panniculectomy was not present in patients receiving bariatric surgery beforehand (p < 0.001). The average income of patients receiving a panniculectomy for any etiology ($89,000) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than patients receiving a panniculectomy after bariatric surgery ($71,000). After multivariate analysis, race remained associated with the disparity (p = 0.046).

The disparity seen in patients receiving panniculectomies is not present when patients are integrated into the healthcare system through bariatric surgery.

A racial disparity exists among all patients receiving panniculectomies, but this disparity is not observed in patients that receive bariatric surgery prior to receiving a panniculectomy. Exploring this sub-population of patients receiving panniculectomies may be the key to improving the overall disparity.