Low mortality in bariatric surgery 1995 through 2005 in Sweden, in spite of a shift to more complex procedures.

Background: Bariatric surgery is expanding worldwide. In a previous study, we found a threefold increase in the annual incidence in Sweden between 1987 and 1996. The aim of the present study was to describe the nationwide practice of bariatric surgery until 2005 and determine the perioperative mortality.

Methods: All bariatric procedures were identified through linkage to the Swedish Inpatient Registry, kept by the National Board of Health and Welfare. Mortality data were obtained from the Swedish National Death Registry

Results: A total of 8,129 bariatric procedures were identified. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were women and the mean age was 40.3 years. Hospital stay averaged 6 days. There was a 27% increase in the number of procedures performed in 2005 compared to 1995. After a decline in the beginning of the century, an increase of 119% is noted from 2001 to 2005. In the beginning of the study period, simple gastric restrictive procedures dominated (79%), but these procedures declined gradually. Gastric bypass has had the opposite development and reached 79% of all performed bariatric procedures in 2005. Laparoscopy has been introduced under the study period and in 2005, 42% of all gastric bypasses were performed by laparoscopy. The 30-day mortality was 0.16%.

Conclusion: In spite of the shift to more complex procedures, the operative mortality was low.