Faculty Collaboration Database

The impact of nausea on post-operative outcomes in bariatric surgery patients. Surg Endosc 2020 Jul;34(7):3085-3091

Date

08/08/2019

Pubmed ID

31388805

DOI

10.1007/s00464-019-07058-5

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85070329324 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   21 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation and treatment of post-operative nausea in bariatric surgery patients has not been standardized. In this patient population, nausea can have a significant impact on quality outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of nausea on post-operative outcomes in bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients who underwent a primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) between 2014 and 2017 at a single institution. Patients with post-operative nausea were identified. Post-operative nausea was defined as patients who had nausea that was documented by multiple providers, and which interfered with their oral intake. Demographic variables were identified for patients with and without documented nausea. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of post-operative nausea on patients' length of stay, readmissions, reoperations, and overall complications.

RESULTS: There were 449 primary bariatric surgery patients in the study period, 197 (43.9%) LRYGB and 252 (56.1%) LSG. Of these patients, 160 (35.6%) had documented post-operative nausea. Demographic factors that contributed to post-operative nausea included African-American race and undergoing a LSG (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively). Patients who underwent a LSG had a 2.0 times increased risk of post-operative nausea compared to LRYGB (p = 0.01). Patients with documented nausea had a statistically significant increased length of stay (2.4 ± 1.9 days vs. 1.6 ± 1.0 days; p ≤ 0.01). Documented nausea patients had an increased incidence of Emergency Department visits within 30 days post-operatively (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative nausea was more likely in patients who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy. Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients with documented nausea had an increased length of stay and Emergency Department visits. These results highlight the need for a metric to more accurately measure post-operative nausea, as well as a standardized anti-emetic treatment pathway to improve quality outcomes.

Author List

Suh S, Helm M, Kindel TL, Goldblatt MI, Gould JC, Higgins RM

Authors

Matthew I. Goldblatt MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jon Gould MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rana Higgins MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Tammy Lyn Kindel MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Bariatric Surgery
Female
Gastrectomy
Gastric Bypass
Humans
Incidence
Laparoscopy
Length of Stay
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity, Morbid
Patient Readmission
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome