The results from a study led by the University of Michigan Health System revealed some shocking information about the safety of bariatric surgery and the quality of hospitals that perform the weight loss procedures.
The good news was the overall low rate of serious complications and general safety of bariatric surgery. What was surprising, however, was the finding that hospitals designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence did not determine greater safety for bariatric surgery.
The Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative study involved 25 hospitals, 62 surgeons, and 15,275 patients across Michigan between 2006 and 2009. The patients in the study underwent one of three common bariatric procedures: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
The study data showed:
- Overall, 7.3% of patients experienced perioperative complications, most of which were wound problems and other minor complications.
- By procedure, the rate of serious complications was 3.6% after gastric bypass, 2.2% after sleeve gastrectomy, and 0.9% after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
- Across hospitals, rates of serious complications varied from 1.6% to 3.5%.
- At hospital level, rates of complications based on annual procedure volume was 4.1% if less than 150 cases, 2.7% if between 150 – 299 cases, and 2.3% if more than 300 cases.
- At surgeon level, rates of complications based on annual procedure volume was 3.8% if less than 100 cases, 2.4% if between 100 – 249 cases, and 1.9% if more than 250 cases.
- Based on COE status, adjusted rates of serious complications were similar in COE and non-COE hospitals (COE, 2.7%; non-COE, 2.0%).
According to lead author Nancy Birkmeyer, Ph.D., “…patients should look for a high volume surgeon and hospital when considering where to have bariatric surgery…whether hospitals are designated as a bariatric Center of Excellence is not important.”
The University of Michigan study “Hospital Complication Rates With Bariatric Surgery in Michigan” was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA); Vol. 304 No. 4, July 28, 2010.
