Intraoperative Blood Pressure Lability Is Associated with Postoperative Hemorrhage after Uncomplicated Bariatric Surgery.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hemorrhage is a rare complication in bariatric surgery. We aim to determine if differences in blood pressure or perioperative medication administration contribute to postoperative bleeding in patients who were hemodynamically stable intraoperatively. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study of all bariatric surgery patients from 2014 to 2017 at a high volume academic center. We identified controls based on age, gender, ethnicity, type of procedure, and pre-operative blood pressure. RESULTS: Patients with postoperative hemorrhage had a significantly lower MAP during the portion of the surgery in which the abdominal contents were inspected for leaks and bleeds. The timing of enoxaparin or ketorolac administration was not associated with bleeding. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure lability, but not enoxaparin or ketorolac administration, is associated with postoperative hemorrhage.