Study shows low complication rates for Michigan bariatric surgeries

Only 7.3 percent of bariatric surgery cases in Michigan result in complications, most of which are minor, according to a University of Michigan Health System and Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative study.

Hospitals and surgeons performing higher volumes of the procedures showed lower complication rates, the study published in the July 27 Journal of the American Medical Association showed.

The study analyzed outcomes for 15,275 patients who had bariatric surgery at one of the 25 hospitals in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative between 2006 and 2009. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network fund the collaborative as part of its Value Partnerships Collaborative Quality Improvement programs.

Most complications were wound infections and other minor problems. Serious complications were most common after gastric bypass, in 3.6 percent of patients studied. Serious complications occurred in 2.2 percent of sleeve gastrectomy patients and 0.9 percent of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band patients.

Mortality rates were even lower, at 0.14 percent of gastric bypass patients, 0.04 percent of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band patients and no sleeve gastrectomy patients.

 “The study confirms that when caregivers share the challenges of self-assessment and improvement, they can achieve excellent outcomes by using accurate clinical data to guide learning about best practices,” said Dr. David Share, Blues executive director for Health Care Quality. Share is also a University of Michigan adjunct clinical faculty member who participated on the study team.

Share said the bariatric study is a good example of what Blues CQI projects aim to achieve, with surgeons, hospitals and insurers actively collaborating on common goals.