EP.TH.208The need for speed: Reduced operative time in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy may reduce length of hospital stay

Introduction Length of stay (LOS) in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is affected by multiple factors, including gender, BMI >50, comorbidities, socioeconomic status and increased operative time (OT). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduced OT on LOS. Methods Analysis was conducted using a prospective database in patients who underwent LSG by a single surgeon at a single institution from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients receiving other operations (e.g. adhesiolysis, cholecystectomy, para-oesophageal hiatal hernia repair or ventral hernia repair) during LSG were excluded. All the patients were divided into two groups: OT ≤ 60 minutes and OT > 60 minutes. Patient demographics and outcome variables, including LOS, 30-day readmission, unexpected return to operating theatre, complications and mortality, were collected and analysed. Results A total of 1412 patients were included. In OT ≤ 60 minutes group (N = 804), the average LOS was 1.37 days and the average operative time was 51.31 minutes. In OT > 60 minutes group (N = 608), the average LOS was 1.66 days and the average operative time was 77.95 minutes. OT ≤ 60 minutes group showed a statistically significant decrease in LOS compared to OT > 60 minutes group (P-value <0.0001). The 30-day readmission rate was 0.97%. Complications included one gastric leak (0.07%), one postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation (0.07%), three (0.21%) portal vein thrombosis, and no mortality. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that reduced OT (≤60 minutes) in LSG was associated with reduced LOS but without increase in complication rates and mortality. This has implications for economic considerations for both hospitals and patients, especially in self-funded payer models.