Background

As robotic surgery is increasing in popularity in bariatric surgery, this study seeks to determine if there is a difference in complications between Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) versus Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 927 patients at a single urban academic center between June 2021 and August 2023. 575 patients underwent RSG and 352 underwent LSG.

Results

The average BMI of the cohort was 43kg/m2 (RSG 43, LSG 42.9, p=0.806), average age 39.8 (RSG 39.8, LSG 40.7, p= 0.084) and 74% were females (RSG 77%, LSG 70%). Additionally, 40% of the patients were ASA class II (RSG 41%, LSG 39%) and 58% were ASA class III (RSG 59%, LSG 59%). The median, mean length of stay for RSG was 1.21, 1.4 days versus 1.17, 1.3 days for LSG (p=0.0084) and the median, mean operative time (minutes) was 73, 76.4 for RSG and 66, 74.6 for LSG (p=0.0021).32 patients (3.45%) had a complication (RSG 3.48%, LSG 3.41%, p=0.955). The most common complications were PO intolerance (n=7; RSG 0.87%, LSG 0.54%), nausea/vomiting and nutritional deficiencies (n=6, RSG 0.52%, LSG 0.81%), vein thrombosis (n=4, RSG 0.35%, LSG 0.54%); and urinary tract infection (n=4, RSG 0.35%, LSG 0.54%).

Conclusions

The study confirms that RSG is as safe as LSG, with comparable post-operative risks.