Racial Disparities in Postoperative Minor Complications After Bariatric Surgery

Recent research presented at the 2025 ASMBS Annual Scientific Meeting highlights significant racial disparities in minor postoperative complications following metabolic and bariatric surgery. The study, conducted by Yale School of Medicine researchers, found that Black patients experience higher rates of minor complications, such as dehydration, infections, and increased emergency department visits, compared to White patients. Over a seven-year period, these complications grew from 10.2% to 15% among Black patients, while remaining lower in White patients, increasing from 7.6% to 12.1%. Additionally, postoperative visits to the emergency department that did not require hospital admission rose from 6.1% to 9.1%, and intravenous treatments for hydration increased from 3.7% to 4.6%. However, severe complications, including mortality, remained rare and comparable between groups.

Researchers reviewed data from over 1.1 million patients who underwent procedures like laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between 2016 and 2023. Despite the overall safety of bariatric surgery, the persistent disparities suggest a need for targeted measures. Experts, including ASMBS President Dr. Ann M. Rogers, emphasized that identifying patients at higher risk for minor complications and improving discharge education—particularly around postoperative hydration—could help mitigate these disparities.

The findings underscore the importance of addressing racial disparities in healthcare and refining postoperative care protocols to enhance patient outcomes across all racial groups. The study also ties into broader concerns about obesity prevalence, which affects over 40% of adults in the U.S., and its links to weakened immune systems, chronic inflammation, and chronic disease risk.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-black-patients-higher-minor-complications.html