Robotic-Assisted Bariatric Surgery Is Associated with Increased Postoperative Complications Compared to Laparoscopic: a Nationwide Readmissions Database Study.

Purpose: Robotic-assisted (RA) bariatric surgery has been increasingly used without consistent benefit over a laparoscopic approach (LA). We compared intra- and post-operative complications and 30- and 90-day all-cause readmissions between RA and LA using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD).

Materials And Methods: We identified hospitalizations with adult patients who underwent RA or LA bariatric surgery from 2010 to 2019. Primary outcomes included intra- and post-operative complications and 30- and 90-day all-cause readmissions. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital death, length of stay (LOS), cost, and cause-specific readmissions. Multivariable regression models were estimated; analyses accounted for the NRD sampling design.

Results: A total of 1,371,778 hospitalizations met inclusion criteria with 7.1% using RA. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were mostly similar between groups. Adjusted odds of complication were 13% higher for RA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.23 p = .008); aORs differed across bariatric procedures. The most common complications included nausea/vomiting, acute blood loss anemia, incisional hernia, and transfusion. Adjusted odds of 30- and 90-day readmission were 10% higher for RA (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.17, p = .001 and aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16, p <.001, respectively). LOS was similar (1.6 vs. 1.6 days, p = .253); although, hospital costs were 31.1% higher for RA ($15,806 vs. $12,056, p < .001).

Conclusion: RA bariatric surgery is associated with 13% higher odds of complication, 10% higher odds of readmission, and 31% hospital costs. Subsequent studies are required using databases that can include additional patient-, facility-, surgery-, and surgeon-specific characteristics.