Bariatric and metabolic surgery is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for obesity and related conditions. However, there is significant variation in preoperative practices between healthcare professionals and countries.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery surveyed 634 bariatric healthcare professionals from 25 countries in order to better understand global variations in preoperative practices. The survey asked about a wide range of topics, including preoperative screening and counseling, nutritional support, and postoperative care.
Generally, there was good agreement among respondents on the importance of preoperative screening and counseling, with the vast majority believing that these are essential components of bariatric and metabolic surgery. However, there was significant variation in the actual practices used. For example, while all respondents believed that preoperative counseling should include information on the risks and benefits of surgery, only 60% said that they always provide this information.
There was also substantial variation in the use of preoperative nutritional support, with some healthcare professionals recommending it for all patients and others only recommending it for those at risk for malnutrition. Postoperative care was also variable, with some respondents providing comprehensive care and others only offering support on an as-needed basis.
Overall, this survey highlights the significant variation in preoperative practices for bariatric and metabolic surgery among healthcare professionals across the globe. While there is general agreement on the importance of certain aspects of care, there is much room for improvement in terms of standardization. This is especially important given the potential risks and complications associated with this type of surgery.
Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) is a growing field with an increasing number of procedures being performed each year. However, there is large variation in preoperative care and surgical practices worldwide. The Preoperative Assessment of Clinical Trials (PACT) study was conducted to evaluate the current state of preoperative care and surgical practices for patients seeking BMS.
634 bariatric healthcare professionals (BHPs) from 81 countries were surveyed. The results showed that there is wide variation in preoperative care and surgical practices. The most common preoperative tests were laboratory tests (82%), followed by radiological tests (74%). The most common surgical procedures performed were sleeve gastrectomy (58%), gastric bypass (57%), and gastric banding (29%).
There was significant variation in the type and frequency of preoperative tests and surgical procedures performed. This highlights the need for further standardization of preoperative care and surgical practices to improve outcomes for patients undergoing BMS.
