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Published on: February 10, 2023
Characterization and Risk Factors for Early Biliary Complications Following Elective Bariatric Surgery: an Mbsaqip
Kevin Verhoeff1, Valentin Mocanu2, Jerry Dang2
1Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Dvorkin Lounge Mailroom 2G2 Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, 8440112 ST NW, T6G 2B7, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. verhoeff@ualberta.ca.
Introduction:
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery are at risk of postoperative biliary complications. This study aims to characterize biliary complications occurring within 30 days of bariatric surgery and to determine factors associated with their occurrence.
Methods And Procedures:
The 2015-2019 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database was analyzed comparing patients with early biliary complications to those without. Early biliary complications were defined by any reoperation, reintervention, or readmission due to gallstones within 30 days of surgery. Patients undergoing elective sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were included; patients with prior surgery were excluded. Bivariate analysis compared groups using chi-squared for categorical data and ANOVA for continuous data was performed. Multivariable modeling was performed to determine factors independently associated with early biliary complications.
Results:
We evaluated 750,498 patients with 691 (0.1%) experiencing early biliary complications. Patients with early biliary complications were more often female (87.7% vs 79.6%, p < 0.001). Patients with early biliary complications required significantly more reoperations (86.0% vs 1.1%, p < 0.001), readmissions (82.5% vs 3.6%, p < 0.001), and reinterventions (15.8% vs 1.2%, p < 0.001). Female gender (OR 1.89; CI 1.47-2.44; p < 0.001), postoperative weight loss (OR 1.08; CI 1.06-1.09, p < 0.001), and LRYGB (OR 1.51, CI 1.27-1.79; p < 0.001) were substantial independent predictors of early biliary complications.
Conclusions:
Early post-bariatric surgery biliary complications occur uncommonly but confer substantial morbidity. Female gender, postoperative weight loss, and RYGB are the greatest predictors for early biliary complications. Evaluation of preventative measures in these high-risk groups is needed.
