Safety of bariatric surgery in patients older than 65 years

The increase in life expectancy along with the obesity epidemic has led to an increase in the number of older patients undergoing bariatric surgery. There is conflicting evidence regarding the safety of performing bariatric procedures on older patients.

The purpose of this study was to compare the safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for older patients (>65 yr).

Nationwide analysis of accredited centers.

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program 2015 to 2017 database was used to identify nonrevisional laparoscopic RYGB and SG procedures. Comparisons were made based on patient age. Clinical outcomes included postoperative events and mortality.

There was a total 13,422 and 5395 matched pairs for SG and RYGB in comparing patients aged 18 years to those aged 65 and >65 years, respectively, and 5395 matched RYGB and SG procedures performed in patients >65 years. The complication rate was higher in older patients undergoing RYGB compared with SG (risk difference = 2.39%, 95% confidence interval: 1.57%-3.21%, P < .0001). When comparing older to younger patients, the older group had a higher complication rate for SG but not for RYGB (SG: risk difference = 1.01%, 95% confidence interval: .59%-1.43%, P < .0001, RYGB: risk difference = .59%, 95% confidence interval: -.29% to 1.47%, P = .2003).

Overall complication rates of bariatric surgery are low in patients >65 years. SG appears to have a favorable safety profile in this patient population compared with RYGB. The overall complication rate for RYGB is not significantly different between the older and younger groups.