AI Article Synopsis

  • Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERPs) were shown to reduce postoperative length of stay (LOS) for both Black and White patients undergoing bariatric surgery, with a decrease from 2 days to 1 day after implementation.
  • A study involving 764 patients found that although LOS decreased for both racial groups, Black patients consistently experienced longer estimated LOS than White patients, even post-ERP.
  • The findings highlight the need for further investigation into the underlying causes of these racial disparities in LOS to ensure equitable healthcare outcomes.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERPs) mitigate racial disparities in postoperative length of stay (LOS) for colorectal populations. It is unclear, however, if these effects exist in the bariatric surgery population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the racial disparities in LOS before and after implementation of bariatric surgery ERP.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from a single institution. Patients undergoing minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 2017 to 2019 (pre-ERP) or 2020-2022 (ERP) were included. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and analysis of variance were used to compare groups, and estimated LOS (eLOS) was assessed via multivariable regression.

Results: Seven hundred sixty four patients were identified, including 363 pre-ERPs and 401 ERPs. Pre-ERP and ERP cohorts were similar in age (median 44.3 years versus 43.8 years, P = 0.80), race (53.4% Black versus 56.4% Black, P = 0.42), and preoperative body mass index (median 48.3 versus 49.4, P = 0.14). Overall median LOS following bariatric surgery decreased from 2 days pre-ERP to 1 day following ERP (P < 0.001). Average LOS for Black and White patients decreased by 0.5 and 0.48 days, respectively. However, overall eLOS remained greater for Black patients compared with White patients despite ERP implementation (eLOS 0.21 days, P = 0.01).

Conclusions: Implementation of a bariatric surgery ERP was associated with decreased LOS for both Black and White patients. However, Black patients did have slightly longer LOS than White patients in both pre-ERP and ERP eras. More work is needed to understand the driving mechanism(s) of these disparities to eliminate them.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.03.001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

bariatric surgery
12
length stay
8
implementation bariatric
8
enhanced recovery
8
racial disparities
8
racial disparity
4
disparity length
4
stay implementation
4
bariatric
4
bariatric enhanced
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!