Spectrum and risk factors of complications after gastric bypass.
OBJECTIVE
To study the spectrum of and risk factors for complications after gastric bypass (GBP).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral center.


METHODS
All morbidly obese patients who underwent open or laparoscopic GBP between January 2003 and December 2006.


METHODS
Complications were stratified by grade: grade I, only bedside procedure; grade II, therapeutic intervention but without lasting disability; grade III, irreversible deficits; and grade IV, death. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to identify independent risk factors of complications after GBP. Predictors investigated were age, race, sex, marital and insurance status, body mass index, obesity-associated comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class, operating room time, open or laparoscopic approach, and surgeon experience.


RESULTS
Of the 404 morbidly obese patients who underwent consecutive open (n = 72) or laparoscopic (n = 332) GBP, 74 (18.3%) experienced 107 complications. Grade I and II complications were more frequent after open GBP (grade I, 19.4% after open vs 3.9% after laparoscopic operations, P < .001; grade II, 20.8% after open vs 8.4% after laparoscopic operations, P < .001), and 55% were wound related. Grades III and IV complications occurred in only 4 patients (1%), and frequency was similar for open and laparoscopic cases. Three factors were independently predictive of complications: diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.3; P = .02), early surgeon experience (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.2; P = .001), and open approach (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.1-7.3; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Complications occurred in 18.3% of patients, but 95% were treated without leading to lasting disability. Presence of diabetes, early surgeon experience, and an open approach are risk factors of complications.
Campos
Guilherme M
GM
Department of Surgery, University of California, 521 Parnassus Ave, Room C-341, San Francisco, CA 94143-0790, USA. camposg@surgery.ucsf.edu
Ciovica
Ruxandra
R
Rogers
Stanley J
SJ
Posselt
Andrew M
AM
Vittinghoff
Eric
E
Takata
Mark
M
Cello
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss