AB079. SOH24AB_208a. Postoperative complications following bariatric tourism and their burden on the Health Service Executive: a two-year retrospective review of cases in a tertiary centre

Background: Obesity is a complex disease with global implications for public health and economic costs. Bariatric surgery is recognized as an effective and cost-efficient treatment for severe obesity. Some individuals may turn to medical tourism if they cannot access bariatric surgery domestically. However, this presents challenges for clinicians when patients return with postoperative complications.

Methods: A retrospective single-centre cohort study was conducted over a two-year period (2021–2023). Patients with postoperative complications following bariatric surgery abroad were identified from the ‘surgical sign out’ and ‘EndoRaad’ software system.

Results: A total of 26 patients were identified. Among them, 46.1% visited the emergency department, while 53.8% were referred for further investigation. The most common surgery performed was sleeve gastrectomy (57.6%), followed by gastric balloon (23%), gastric band (15.3%), and gastric bypass (3.8%). The average age of the patients was 40, with a majority being female (80.7%). Turkey was the most common country where the procedures were done (61.5%). Patients presented with symptoms such as reflux, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, dysphagia, pus discharge, skin abscess, increased surgical drain output, decreased appetite, hematemesis, and melena. Complications included intra-abdominal collections, staple line leaks, pyloric spasm, staple line hematoma, midbody stricture, wound infection, and continued drain output. Treatment varied, from conservative management and to surgical or radiological interventions. Around 38.4% were admitted to the hospital, with stays ranging from 3 to 67 days.

Conclusions: The study provides insights into the postoperative complications experienced by individuals who had bariatric surgery abroad and the burden placing on the healthcare system.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; weight loss surgery; complications of bariatric surgery; postoperative complications; bariatric tourism