Trends and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Between 2015 and 2018 in the USA and Canada

Background Given there are approximately 100,000 primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) procedures performed a year in North America, there is a need to evaluate recent trends in LSG. The objective of this study was to analyze the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) to identify trends in technical factors and patient outcomes over time. Methods The MBSAQIP prospectively collects data from 854 centers in the USA and Canada. Patients undergoing primary LSG were included. Statistical analysis was performed to characterize trends in patient factors, technical factors, and 30-day postoperative outcomes. Results A total of 434,030 patients underwent primary LSG. The mean age was 44.2 (SD 12.0) years and mean body mass index was 45.1 (SD 7.8) kg/m 2 . Baseline demographics did not vary appreciably by year. Operative time decreased from 2015 to 2018 (75.4 to 70.6 min, p < 0.001). Bougie size and stapling distance from the pylorus did not change by year. However, staple line reinforcement (66.8 to 63.2%, p < 0.001) and oversewing of the staple line (23.1 to 20.1%, p < 0.001) were less commonly performed. Postoperatively, from 2015 to 2018, there was a 45.8% relative reduction in leaks (0.48 to 0.26%, p < 0.001). There were also reductions in 30-day major complications (2.87 to 2.28%, p < 0.001), length of stay (1.72 to 1.44 days, p < 0.001), and readmissions (3.39 to 2.77%, p < 0.001). Conclusions From 2015 to 2018, there was a decrease in staple line reinforcement and oversewing. These changes correlated with reductions in operative time, length of stay, readmission, and major complications.