SP6.1.8 The Impact of Drain and Reinforcement on the Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Aimed to investigate the impact of reinforcement and abdominal drains on the outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods A prospective study included obese patients scheduled for LSG. Patients were assigned to receive drain, reinforcement, or both according to surgeon's preference and followed up for one month after surgery. Primary outcome was identification of the association between intraoperative drain/reinforcement and incidence of postoperative complications. Results 125 (20.3%) patients received intraoperative drains. The proportion of postoperative morbidity was comparable between the drain and non-drain groups (3.2% versus 1.6%; p = 0.25). Drain group had similar incidence of blood transfusion (2.4% versus 1.7% in non-drain group; p = 0.43) and postoperative leakage (0.8% versus 0.2% in non-drain group; p = 0.36). Incidences of blood transfusion (p = 0.56) and reoperation (p = 0.98) were comparable between the drain and non-drain groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the drain and non-drain groups regarding postoperative mortality and wound infection (p > 0.05). In contrast, 440 (71.3%) patients received reinforcement. The proportion of postoperative morbidity was comparable between reinforcement and non-reinforcement groups (1.6% versus 2.8%, p = 0.07). Patients in reinforcement group were less likely to develop postoperative bleeding (0.7% versus 4% in the non-reinforcement group; p = 0.004), while no significant difference was detected in terms of postoperative leakage (p = 0.33) and in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Abdominal drainage did not reduce the complications of LSG patients. Reinforcement has role in controlling the bleeding but not leaks. Both techniques did not significantly impact the mortality rate.