Background

Same day sleeve gastrectomy surgery (SDSG) is being performed in select patient populations with increased regularity. Despite a reported low incidence of complications, the impact on emergency department (ED) visits remains unclear.

Methods

Using a state-wide bariatric specific data registry, all patients undergoing SDSG between 2020 and 2023 were identified (n=984). Rates of 30-day ED visits and complications were compared between SDSG and a 2:1 propensity matched cohort with a 1-2 day length of stay (n=1,968).

Results

The mean age and body mass index of SDSG patients were 41.7 years and 45.9 kg/m2, respectively. When compared to the matched cohort, SDSG patients had higher rates of ED visits (9.2% vs. 6.2%, p=0.0029) as well as a higher proportion of ED visits not requiring hospital readmission (87.8% vs. 71.1%, p<0.0037), despite experiencing similar overall complication rates (4.7% vs. 3.7 %, p=0.2087). The most common reason for an ED visit after SDSG was nausea (58.9% vs. 66.9%, p=0.2294), and the most common day to present was Friday (20.0% vs. 20.7%, p=0.9061), which was similar between groups. SDSG patients were more likely to present to the ED sooner (10.3 days vs 12.9 days, p=0.0118) and also had higher rates of reoperation (0.7% vs 0.2%, p=0.0137).

Conclusions

SDSG patients had higher rates of ED visits despite similar overall complication rates as compared to matched non-SDSG patients. Programs interested in performing SDSG should consider protocols to mitigate the increased risk of unnecessary ED visits after surgery.