Robotic platform for gastric bypass is associated with more resource utilization: an analysis of MBSAQIP dataset

Background: The current literature comparing robot-assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RA-RYGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is limited to single center retrospective series.

Objectives: This study aims to compare perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent RA-RYGB with those who underwent LRYGB.

Setting: National database.

Methods: Data on patients who underwent RA-RYGB and LRYGB were extracted from the 2015 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program participant use file. A 1:8 propensity score matching (RA-RYGB:LRYGB) was performed, and the 30-day outcomes of the propensity-matched cohorts were compared.

Results: In total, 36,158 patients met inclusion criteria, including 2660 RA-RYGB (7.4%) cases, which were propensity matched (1:8) with 21,280 LRYGB cases having similar preoperative characteristics. RA-RYGB was associated with longer median operative time (136 versus 107 min; P<.001) and a higher 30-day readmission rate (7.3% versus 6.2%; P = .03). There were no statistical differences between the RA-RYGB and LRYGB cohorts with respect to all-cause morbidity (10.6% versus 10.7%; P = .8), serious morbidity (1.2% versus 1.7%; P = .07), mortality (0.1% versus .2%; P = .2), unplanned intensive care unit admission (1.1% versus 1.3%; P = .3), reoperation (2.4% versus 2.4%; P = .97), or reintervention (3.0% versus 2.5%; P = .2) within 30 days after surgery.

Conclusion: Based on available national data, RA-RYGB appears safe compared with a conventional laparoscopic approach for gastric bypass. However, RA-RYGB was associated with longer operative time and higher readmission rate, indicating greater resource use. Further studies are needed to better delineate the role of robotic platforms in bariatric surgery.