Factors that predict 30-day readmission after bariatric surgery: experience of a publicly funded Canadian centre.

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmissions after bariatric surgery can significantly increase health care costs. Rates of readmission after bariatric surgery have ranged from 0.6% to 11.3%, but the rate of complications and the factors that predict readmission have not been well characterized in Canada. The objective of this study was to characterize readmission rates and the factors that predict 30-day readmission in a Canadian centre.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on all patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2010 and 2015 in a single Canadian centre. Procedures included laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Prospectively collected data were extracted from an administrative database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which factors predict 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 1468 patients had bariatric surgery (51.0% LRYGB, 40.5% LSG, 8.6% LAGB) during the 6-year study period, with an overall 30-day readmission rate of 7.5%. LRYGB was associated with a higher readmission rate (11.4%) than LSG (3.7%) or LAGB (1.6%). Common reasons for readmission were infection (24.8%), pain (17.4%) and nausea or vomiting (10.1%). Multivariable analysis identified 3 factors that independently predicted readmission: length of stay greater than 4 days (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.63, p = 0.042), LRYGB (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.19-22.73, p = 0.028) and acute renal failure (OR 14.10, 95% CI 1.07-186.29, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Readmissions after bariatric surgery were most commonly caused by potentially preventable factors, such as pain, nausea or vomiting. Strategies to identify and address factors associated with readmission may reduce readmissions and health care costs after bariatric surgery in a publicly funded health care system.