Comparing Anastomotic Leak Rate Between Robotic and Laparoscopic Bariatric Procedures: A Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Database Study.

In this MBSAQIP database study of over 560,000 bariatric procedures, the overall incidence of anastomotic leaks was 0.21%. Robotic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was associated with a significantly higher leak rate compared to the laparoscopic approach. No significant differences in leak rates were observed between robotic and laparoscopic techniques for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or duodenal switch. Prior foregut surgery and intraoperative drain placement were independently associated with increased risk of leak across all procedures.