Trends in utilization of bariatric surgery, 2010-2014: sleeve gastrectomy dominates

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Furthermore, the proportion of various types of bariatric procedures has significantly changed over the last two decades. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been increasingly chosen as a primary bariatric procedure in recent years.

This study aimed to analyze the changing pattern of bariatric surgery utilization from 2010 to 2014.

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2014.

We identified patients aged≥18 years with a body mass index (BMI)≥35 kg/m² undergoing primary bariatric surgery. The trend of surgical procedures was analyzed from 2010 to 2014.

A total of 93,328 patients were included (age of 44.6±11.8 years and BMI of 46.2±7.9 kg/m²). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable gastric band, and SG comprised 58.4%, 28.8%, and 9.3% of the procedures in 2010 which changed to 37.6%, 3.1%, and 58.2% in 2014, respectively. Baseline BMI of SG patients decreased from 47.5 to 45.6 kg/m² (P< .001). The proportion of diabetic patients undergoing RYGB increased (30.4% to 33.2%, P<.001) but decreased among those having SG (26.6% to 22.8%, P = .001). The proportion of patients with hypertension having RYGB remained unchanged while decreased among SG patients (56.2% to 47.6%, P<.001). Female patients among the SG group increased from 73.2% to 77.7% (P< .001).

SG has been increasingly performed in the United States superseding adjustable gastric band and RYGB. The trend is in favor of females, lower BMI, and lower ratio of patients with diabetes and hypertension. More data are needed on outcomes of SG to assess its long-term effectiveness and credibility.