Outcomes the Ontario Bariatric Network: a cohort study.

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
• Surgical Quality Improvement
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Bariatric surgery centers of excellence in Canada are recent, with Ontario initiating them in 2009.
• This study examines the initial 3-year outcomes of Canada's largest bariatric collaborative in Ontario.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the short-term outcomes of bariatric surgery within Ontario's collaborative centers.
• To identify risk factors associated with complications and compare outcomes across centers.

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study of 5007 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy procedures (2009-2012).
• Data sourced from Canadian Institute for Health Information databases.
• Analysis included complication rates, reoperation, leak, mortality, and risk factor identification using logistic regression and median odds ratios.

Main Results:

• Overall complication rate was 11.7%, with a leak rate of 0.84%, reoperation rate of 4.6%, and mortality of 0.16%.
• Male sex, chronic kidney disease, and osteoarthritis were significant risk factors for complications.
• Risk-adjusted complication rates varied across centers, indicated by median ORs of 1.76 for complications and 1.49 for reoperations.

Conclusions:

• Short-term bariatric surgery outcomes in Ontario align with international benchmarks.
• Variability in outcomes among centers highlights the need for enhanced program quality improvement initiatives.