Postpanniculectomy Improvement in Low Back Pain: A Case Report.

While panniculectomy is traditionally considered a cosmetic surgery, there is growing interest in the potential role of panniculectomy for the treatment of low back pain. We present a case of a 69-year-old man with a history of over 10 years of significant low back pain with radiculopathy rated as 7 out of 10 and resistant to conservative measures as well as multiple spinal decompression surgeries. He had undergone bariatric surgery 14 years prior and maintained a stable body mass index. He presented with a large pannus desiring panniculectomy for aesthetic purposes. He underwent an uncomplicated panniculectomy. As an unintended benefit of his procedure on his 1-month post-op visit, he reported near resolution of his low back pain and radiculopathy. His reported pain had been reduced to 1-2 out of 10. More research needs to be done to assess the potential of panniculectomy as a treatment for low back pain in patients with massive weight loss.