Bariatric surgery performed by trainees resulted in similar 30-day postoperative complication rates compared to fully trained surgeons (3.3% vs 5.3%), despite significantly longer operative times.
Cohort (n=1,232)
No
Does trainee involvement in bariatric surgery increase postoperative complications compared to non-trainees?
Under structured supervision, bariatric surgery performed by trainees is safe and yields perioperative outcomes comparable to those of fully trained surgeons, despite longer operative times.
Tasa de eventos absoluta: 3.3% vs 5.3%
valor p: p=0.087
The involvement of surgical trainees in bariatric surgery remains controversial due to concerns about prolonged operative time and increased complication rates. This study evaluated the impact of trainee participation on postoperative outcomes in a Swiss regional hospital. All bariatric procedures performed between 2014 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Procedures were stratified according to surgeon training level (trainee vs. non-trainee). Operative time, 30-day postoperative complications graded by Clavien–Dindo classification, and length of hospital stay were assessed. Factors associated with postoperative complications were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 1,232 procedures were included, of which 518 (42%) were performed by trainees. Median operative time was longer in the trainee group (91 vs. 79 min; p < 0.001). Overall postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo grade II–V) occurred in 4.5% of procedures and did not differ between groups (p = 0.211). In multivariate analysis, trainee involvement was not associated with postoperative complications. Procedures requiring an open approach were strongly associated with postoperative complications. Under structured supervision and adequate case volume, bariatric surgery performed by trainees is safe and yields perioperative outcomes comparable to those of fully trained surgeons, despite longer operative times.
Soll et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Obesity (n=1,232). Bariatric surgery performed by trainees vs. Bariatric surgery performed by non-trainees was evaluated on 30-day postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II-V) (p=0.087). Bariatric surgery performed by trainees resulted in similar 30-day postoperative complication rates compared to fully trained surgeons (3.3% vs 5.3%), despite significantly longer operative times.