From Bands to Bypasses: Navigating Safety of Band Conversions to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Revisional bariatric surgery is associated with higher perioperative complications over primary procedures. Adjustable gastric bands (AGB) continue to be the most frequently converted bariatric configuration. This study examines trends in current clinical indication and safety profile of the most frequently pursued AGB conversions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MBSAQIP data from 2020 to 2022 was retrospectively analyzed in a cohort study examining 30-day postoperative outcomes after AGB conversion to sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), or single anastomosis duodenoileostomy (SADI). Descriptive statistics were used, including multivariable and 21 nearest neighbor matching analysis. RESULTS: This study included 19,335 AGB conversions, of which most were to SG (n = 11,736) followed by RYGB (n = 7442) and SADI (n = 157). While a majority were completed for weight loss, there were differences in distribution of primary indication for each conversion cohort, such as higher proportion of RYGB conversion for gastroesophageal reflux disease (18.7%) compared to SG (7.92%) and SADI (5.10%). Multivariable analysis demonstrates conversion to RYGB has significantly higher odds of 30-day major complications (OR 1.75, p < 0.001), reoperation (OR 2.08; p = 0.001), readmission (OR 1.69; p = 0.001), and emergency department visits (OR 1.50; p = 0.001) over SG. These risks and odds of reintervention (OR 1.75; p < 0.001) remained significantly higher after conversion to RYGB versus SG on matched analysis. None of these risks is significantly different between conversions to SADI versus SG in either multivariable or matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to AGB conversion to SG, single-stage conversion to RYGB had increased odds of perioperative complications while risks of conversion to SADI were not significantly different.