Safety and outcomes of performing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy at an ambulatory site of a tertiary care hospital in Ontario

Safety Outcomes in Same-Day Discharge Anastomotic Metabolic/Bariatric Surgery vs Regular Overnight Discharge Protocol: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Same-day discharge (SDD) protocols for anastomotic metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) have emerged as a strategy to optimise healthcare resources. However, concerns regarding safety, particularly related to mortality and postoperative complications, remain unresolved. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the safety of SDD with standard overnight hospitalisation (OH) in anastomotic MBS, focusing on early postoperative outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Four studies, including 19,849 patients (24.4% undergoing SDD), were analysed. Outcomes assessed included 30-day overall morbidity, mortality, readmission, reoperation rates and complications categorised by the Clavien-Dindo classification. A random-effects model was used for data pooling, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. SDD was associated with a significantly higher risk of 30-day mortality (OR 7.24; 95% CI 2.27-23.52; p = 0.001; I2 = 26%) and overall morbidity (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.29-2.76; p = 0.001; I2 = 4%) compared to OH. No significant differences were observed in readmission (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.61-2.22; p = 0.64; I2 = 79.1%) or reoperation rates (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.47-2.03; p = 0.96; I2 = 61%). Interestingly, SDD was associated with a significantly lower rate of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III/IV) compared to OH (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.44-0.91; p = 0.013; I2 = 9%). The observed increase in mortality and morbidity among SDD patients underscores the need for stringent patient selection, standardised discharge protocols and robust follow-up systems. Prospective studies are required to refine SDD protocols and ensure their safe implementation.

A Prospective Multicenter Standard of Care Study of Outpatient Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

A global shift is occurring as hospital procedures move to ambulatory surgical settings. Surgeons have performed outpatient sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in bariatric surgery since 2010. However, prospective trials are needed to ensure its safety before widespread adoption.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to present a comprehensive report on the prospective data collection of 30-day outcomes of outpatient primary laparoscopic SG (LSG). This trial seeks to assess whether outpatient LSG is non-inferior to hospital-based surgery in selected patients who meet the outpatient surgery criteria set by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is funded by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and has been approved by the Advarra Institutional Review Board (Pro00055990). Cognizant of the necessity for a prospective approach, data collection commenced after patients underwent primary LSG procedures, spanning from August 2021 to September 2022, at six medical centers across the USA. Data centralization was facilitated through ArborMetrix. Each center has its own enhanced recovery protocols, and no attempt was made to standardize the protocols.

RESULTS

The analysis included 365 patients with a mean preoperative BMI of 43.7 ± 5.7 kg/m2. Rates for 30-day complications, reoperations, readmissions, emergency department visits, and urgent care visits were low: 1.6%, .5%, .2%, .2%, and 0%, respectively. Two patients (0.5%) experienced grade IIIb complications. There were no mortalities or leaks reported.

CONCLUSION

The prospective cohort study suggests that same-day discharge following LSG seems safe in highly selected patients at experienced US centers.

Bariatric Surgery Performed at a Tertiary Care Hospital and an Ambulatory Hospital: A 5 Year Comparison of Outcomes, OR Efficiencies and Costs

PURPOSE

To explore change in 30-day post-operative complications, operative times, operating room (OR) efficiencies for bariatric surgery performed at a tertiary care hospital (TH) and an ambulatory hospital with overnight stay (AH) within one hospital network over 5 years; and to compare perioperative costs at the TH and AH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of existing data from a cohort of consecutive adult patients who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) between September 2016 and August 2021 at TH and AH.

RESULTS

A total of 805 patients (762 LRYGB, 43 LSG) had surgery at AH, while 109 (92 LRYGB, 17 LSG) at TH. OR times for LRYGB and LSG performed at AH were significantly shorter versus TH (150 ± 24 vs 178 ± 51 min; p < 0.01) and (123 ± 24 vs 147 ± 34 min; p = 0.01). OR turnovers (19.2 ± 6.0 min vs 28.1 ± 6.1 min; p < 0.01) and Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) times (2.4 ± 0.6 h vs 3.1 ± 1.5 h; p < 0.01) were significantly faster at AH versus TH. Proportion of patients requiring transfer for a complication from AH to TH remained constant over time (range 1.5-6.2%/year; p = 0.14). 30-day complication rates were similar between AH and TH (5.5-11% vs 0-15%; p = 0.12). LRYGB and LSG costs were similar between AH and TH (8,855 ± 1,328CAD vs 8,799 ± 2,729CAD; p = 0.91 and 8,763 ± 1,449CAD vs 7,857 ± 1,825CAD; p = 0.41).

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in 30-day post-operative complications for LRYGB and LSG performed at AH and TH. Performing bariatric surgery at AH has the benefit of improved OR efficiency without a significant difference in total perioperative costs.

Ambulatory surgery centres: a potential solution to a chronic problem

SummaryLong wait times for elective surgery in Canada have been a persistent problem for many years and the recent pandemic has made the situation substantially worse. Current evidence suggests that ambulatory surgery centres are more cost-effective and efficient in the delivery of ambulatory surgical services than larger institutions. We explore the merits of a network of publicly funded ambulatory surgery centres.

Self-withdrawal from scheduled bariatric surgery: Qualitative study exploring patient and healthcare provider perspectives

The objective of the study was to explore the experience of patients who self-withdrew from their scheduled bariatric surgery (BS) after completing the lengthy multidisciplinary assessment and optimization process, and to examine how these withdrawals affect healthcare providers (HCPs) in a Bariatric Centre of Excellence (BCoE). Interviews were conducted with patients who self-withdrew, within 1 month, from scheduled BS. Additionally, a focus group with HCPs from the same BCoE was completed. The data were analysed using an inductive, emergent thematic approach with open coding in NVivo 12, with comparative analysis to identify common themes between groups. Eleven patients and 14 HCPs participated. HCPs identified several behavioural and logistical red flags among patients who self-withdrew from scheduled BS. Patients and HCPs felt the decision was appropriate, owing to a patient's lack of mental preparedness for change, social supports, or fears of postoperative complications. HCPs reported frustration and described negative impacts on clinic efficiency. Additional mental health resources for patients contemplating self-withdrawal, such as peer support, were suggested. In conclusion, a patient's decision to self-withdraw from a scheduled BS is often sudden, definite, and associated with anxiety, fear of surgical risks and post-operative complications. Additional mental health resources at a BCoE may be beneficial to support patients at risk of self-withdrawal from scheduled BS.