Robot-assisted Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Results from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program Data Registry

Abstract Background A stronger evidence base is needed in order to more fully understand the precise role that robot-assisted (RA) approaches may play in bariatrics. Objective To investigate the utilization and safety of RA- sleeve gastrectomy (RA-SG) and RA- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RA-RYGB) using data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) registry. Setting National Database Methods We queried the MBSAQIP 2015-16 registry for patients who underwent primary conventional laparoscopic or RA-SG and RA-RYGB. We compared pre- and peri-operative characteristics and 30-day outcomes using logistic regression where number of events met statistical guidelines. Results We included 126,987 cases: conventional laparoscopic SG (N=83,940), RA-SG (N=6,780), conventional laparoscopic RYGB (N=33,525), and RA-RYGB (N=2,742). The RA significantly lengthened operation time by 24 and 23 minutes, for SG and RYGB respectively. Mortality and serious adverse events were similar for the two techniques. RA-SG was associated with higher rates of 30-day intervention (1.3% vs. 0.8%, OR: 1.38, p 2 days (12.1% vs. 9.3%, OR: 1.30, p 2 days (15.7% vs. 17%, OR: 0.89, p Conclusion RA is as safe as the conventional laparoscopic approach in terms of mortality and serious adverse events.