GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Tied to Delayed Surgical Wound Healing

THURSDAY, April 2, 2026 (HealthDay News) -- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA) use is associated with delayed wound healing in patients undergoing abdominal panniculectomy, according to a study published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.Zachary Andrew Koenig, M.D., from West Virginia University in Morgantown, and colleagues retrospectively assessed postoperative complications and GLP-1 RA-associated adverse effects in patients not undergoing bariatric surgery. The analysis included 373 patients undergoing panniculectomy (81 GLP-1 RA users and 292 nonusers).The researchers found that GLP-1 RA users had higher rates of type 2 diabetes (55.6 percent versus 29.5 percent), hypertension (69.1 percent versus 52.7 percent), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.3 percent versus 6.5 percent). There was a greater incidence of delayed wound healing (18.5 versus 7.5 percent) but lower seroma rates (4.9 versus 14.0 percent) among GLP-1 RA users. These differences persisted even when controlling for other variables. There were no significant differences observed in infection, fat necrosis, hematoma, or GLP-1 RA-related gastrointestinal side effects."As GLP-1 receptor agonist medications become increasingly integrated into the care of patients undergoing body contouring, our findings suggest that these drugs may have subtle effects on wound healing, even if they don't increase overall surgical risks," Koenig said in a statement.Abstract/Full Text.Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Tied to Delayed Surgical Wound Healing

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