Experiencing Complications After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeries is a Risk Factor for Postoperative Emergency Department Admissions: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Emergency department admissions significantly burden hospital staff and countries' health system. Studies are encouraged for effective and correct utilization of emergency departments. Rational management of obesity-related medical problems and postoperative complications may reduce emergency department visits. This study aimed to determine the rates, characteristics, and antecedents of emergency room admissions after metabolic and bariatric surgeries (MBSs) performed in our hospital. According to our hypothesis, experiencing postoperative complications is the most common reason for emergency department admissions.

The study was designed as a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Metabolic and bariatric surgeries performed in our hospital between June 2021 and June 2023 were evaluated. Clavien Dindo Classification was used to classify complications. The reasons for emergency department admissions, re-hospitalization and surgical requirements, time relationships, and possible antecedents were examined in stages.

A total of 153 patients were evaluated in the study. The average follow-up period was found to be 609.63 ± 222.89. The emergency department admission rate following MBSs was found to be 31%, and the admission rate within the first month was 7.8%. The major complication rate following MBSs was 4.6%. Experiencing complications was the most important antecedent for admissions 1 month postoperatively.

In patients with complications after MBS, the discharge decision should be provided with stricter controls, and outpatient clinic controls should be planned more frequently. Providing training to patients on managing complications should be considered as a strategy that may reduce the number of emergency department visits.

ACTRN12624000810516.