To describe the number and types of bariatric and metabolic procedures performed globally in 2020 and 2021, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective surgeries.
Key Findings:
Total bariatric and metabolic procedures increased from 507,806 in 2020 to 598,834 in 2021.
Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) remained the most performed bariatric procedure globally.
52% of societies had national protocols for bariatric procedures.
61.4% of societies utilized telemedicine for patient follow-up.
47.3% of societies collected mortality data after bariatric and metabolic surgeries.
Interpretation:
The survey indicates a recovery in the number of bariatric procedures post-COVID-19, with SG maintaining its dominance despite a slight decline in some regions, suggesting a need for targeted support in those areas.
Limitations:
Data collection was affected by the pandemic, leading to potential underreporting, particularly in regions with low participation.
Responses varied by region, with some countries not participating, impacting the overall data representation.
Conclusion:
The IFSO survey highlights ongoing trends in bariatric surgery, the impact of COVID-19, and the significant adaptation of telemedicine in patient care, which may influence future practices.
A long-term cohort study found that obesity was not associated with worse patient-reported outcomes or higher reoperation rates following total ankle replacement in optimized surgical candidates.
A retrospective database study found a low absolute incidence but higher relative hazard of ischemic optic neuropathy following semaglutide initiation.
