Background

Readmission rates after bariatric surgery can increase hospital costs and negatively impact quality metrics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for 30-day readmission following bariatric surgery at a single Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Project (MBSAQIP) accredited center.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of the prospectively maintained MBSAQIP database at a single center between January 2020 and June 2022.

Results

482 patients underwent bariatric procedures during the 30-month study period. 42 patients were readmitted within 30 days of surgery (8.7%). 86.3% of patients were female (N = 416), and 13.7% were male (N = 66); 60.6% were White (N= 292), 33.2% were Black (N=160), and 6.2% were other/unknown. 6.4% identified as Hispanic (N= 31). Most patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (51.5%). Length of stay (LOS) was the strongest risk factor for any 30-day readmission following bariatric surgery (p =0.0001). Patients with LOS >1 were almost 3 times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of their procedure. There was no statistical difference in LOS = 2 or LOS >3. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.004-1.056, p= 0.023) and Black race (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.21-3.22, p=0.007) were associated with LOS >1 day.

Conclusions

Increased length of stay greater than 1 day is a risk factor for hospital readmission within 30 days following bariatric surgery, even in the absence of postoperative complications.