title: Does Certification as Bariatric Surgery Center and Volume Influence the Outcome in RYGB-Data Analysis of German Bariatric Surgery Registry.
abstract: To examine the association between the certification as bariatric surgery center and volume and patient outcome, data collected in the German Bariatric Surgery Registry were evaluated. All data were registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgery at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.
  
  
  
  Data collection began in 2005 for all bariatric procedures in an online database. Participation in the quality assurance study is required for all certified bariatric surgery centers in Germany. Descriptive evaluation and matched pairs analysis were performed. Patients were matched via propensity score taking into account BMI, age, and incidence of comorbidities.
  
  
  
  During the period from 2005 to 2013, 3083 male and 10,639 female patients were operated on with the RYGB primary approach. In Centers of Competence (77.2 %) and non-accredited hospitals (76.3 %), the proportion of female patients was significantly lower than in Centers of Reference/Excellence (78.7 %; p = 0.002). The mean age in Centers of Reference/Excellence (41.2 years) was significantly lower than in Centers of Competence (43.2 years; p < 0.05). Propensity score analysis was performed to compare matched patients with regard to BMI, age, and incidence of comorbidities. The rate of general and surgical postoperative complications and mortality rate was significantly lower in certified Centers of Reference/Excellence compared to Centers of Competence with 29 and non-certified hospitals.
  
  
  
  There is evidence of improved patient outcome in certified bariatric surgery centers with higher volume. The study supports the concept of certification. There are different factors which can and cannot be preoperatively modified and influence the perioperative outcome.
authors: Department of General, Abdominal and Pediatric Surgery, SRH Municipal Hospital Gera, Strasse des Friedens 122, D-07548, Gera, Germany. Christine.Stroh@wkg.srh.de.|Institute for Quality Assurance in Surgical Medicine at the University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany. Christine.Stroh@wkg.srh.de.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Stroh
authors: Vivantes Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Köckerling
authors: Vivantes Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Lange
authors: University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wolff
authors: StatConsult, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Knoll
authors: University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bruns
authors: Department of General, Abdominal and Pediatric Surgery, SRH Municipal Hospital Gera, Strasse des Friedens 122, D-07548, Gera, Germany.|Institute for Quality Assurance in Surgical Medicine at the University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors: Th
authors: T
authors: Manger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012042:Registries
keywords: Complication rates; German bariatric surgery registry; Hospital volume; Mortality rate; RYGB