Readmission and reoperation rates after laparoscopic bariatric surgery in an Italian center of excellence

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze short-term outcomes focusing on readmissions after laparoscopic bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) in an Italian academic Bariatric Center of Excellence IFSO-European Chapter (EC). Methods: This is a retrospective study based on the analysis of a prospectively maintained institutional database. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years who underwent primary BMS and/or revisional BMS (RBMS) between 2012 and 2021 were included. Primary endpoint was to analyze the readmission rate at 30 postoperative days. The secondary endpoint involved assessing the causes of readmission within 30 days of discharge, the rates, and types of reoperations and/or additional procedures related to the first surgery, and the outcomes of readmitted patients. Results: A total of 2297 patients were included in the study. Among them, 2143 underwent primary surgery and 154 patients underwent RBMS. Eighty-two percent of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocol items were applied starting from 2016. Within 30 days after discharge, 48 patients (2.09%) were readmitted. Overall readmission rate following primary and revisional BMS was 2.15%, respectively 1.30%. Ten readmitted patients (20.8%) had complications graded IIIb or more (Clavien-Dindo classification) and needed additional procedures. Mortality rate was 4.17% among readmitted patients. Conclusions: Only 2.09% of patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery were readmitted. Of these, 20.8% required additional procedures. Standardization of surgical techniques and perioperative protocols in a bariatric center of excellence resulted in a low readmission rate even in RBMS.