Clinical Report: Global Insights on Patient Demographics, Procedures, and Mortality in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery

Overview

The eighth IFSO Global Registry report aggregates data from 24 countries and 2 regional registries, covering over 500,000 metabolic bariatric surgeries (MBS) performed primarily in 2021–2022. It highlights patient demographics, procedure types, and perioperative safety indicators, providing a comprehensive global perspective on MBS practice and outcomes.

Background

Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is an established effective treatment for obesity and related comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While randomized controlled trials have demonstrated its efficacy, real-world global data on MBS uptake, practice patterns, and safety remain limited. Registries collecting uniform observational data enable evaluation of patient characteristics, procedure types, and outcomes. The International Federation for Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) established a Global Registry to consolidate data from national and regional registries worldwide, aiming to provide credible, aggregated insights while complying with data protection regulations.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Data from 24 countries and 2 regional registries included 502,150 MBS procedures, predominantly primary surgeries (89.6%).
• Revisional procedures accounted for 10.4% of cases, with Australia showing the highest revisional surgery rates.
• Several registries demonstrated near-complete case ascertainment, enhancing data reliability.
• Aggregated data reporting was adopted to comply with GDPR, reducing privacy risks and selection bias.
• Data collection focused on demographics, procedure types, and perioperative safety indicators; outcome data was excluded due to inconsistent global collection.

Clinical Implications

This comprehensive global dataset provides clinicians with a clearer understanding of current MBS practice patterns and safety profiles worldwide. The predominance of primary procedures and the variability in revisional surgery rates highlight areas for focused clinical attention and quality improvement. The use of aggregated registry data supports benchmarking and international collaboration while respecting patient privacy.

Conclusion

The eighth IFSO Global Registry report offers valuable aggregated insights into the demographics, surgical practices, and safety of metabolic bariatric surgery across diverse global populations. Continued registry collaboration and data standardization are essential to further enhance understanding and optimize patient outcomes.

References

1. IFSO Global Registry Committee 2023 -- Eighth Global Registry Report on Metabolic Bariatric Surgery
2. Bristol University Collaboration -- Core Data Items for MBS Registries