Robotic-assisted vertical sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents: Do BMI limits apply?

Background: Robotic-assisted vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in adolescent patients has been shown to have comparable outcomes to laparoscopic VSG. Recent data suggests that metabolic and bariatric surgery (performed using robotic and laparoscopic techniques) in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m have a higher risk of adverse events compared to those with BMI < 50 kg/m. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted VSG in adolescents with a BMI above and below 50 kg/m.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all adolescents undergoing robotic-assisted VSG between January 2014 and December 2020. Subjects were categorized based on preoperative BMI; Group 1 (BMI < 50 kg/m) or Group 2 (BMI ≥ 50 kg/m). Data collection included patient demographics, preoperative BMI, total operative time, access time (i.e., total time for port-placement), 30 day complications, and 30 day hospital readmissions. Analysis was performed using chi-square, Fisher's Exact, and student t-test.

Results: Total of 115 subjects (Group 1 N = 64 and Group 2 N = 51) were included. No differences in age or ethnicity were detected; however, Group 2 had a higher percentage of male patients (27.5% vs. 4.7%, respectively, p = 0.001). Mean operative times (Group 1 = 122.2 min vs. Group 2 = 121.6 min) and access times (Group 1 = 19.1 min vs. Group 2 = 19.7 min) were similar between groups. Thirty day complication rates were similar between groups (p = 0.133); however, there was a higher rate of hospital readmission in Group 1.

Conclusion: While recent data demonstrate an increased likelihood of adverse events occurring among patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m undergoing robotic surgery, we observed no differences in intraoperative or early postoperative outcomes based on BMI in this robotic-assisted pediatric cohort.