To examine how the COVID-19 pandemic altered the racial and ethnic composition of adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery and the 30-day postoperative complication rates compared to the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019).
Approach:
Key Findings:
Severe obesity prevalence in adolescents is approximately 21%, with significant health risks.
Bariatric surgery is underutilized, with less than 0.1% of eligible adolescents receiving it.
Racial and ethnic disparities exist, with Black and Hispanic adolescents undergoing surgery at lower rates than White adolescents, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Postoperative outcomes are comparable across racial groups, indicating access disparities rather than quality of care differences.
Interpretation:
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery, potentially affecting referral patterns and access to bariatric surgery, particularly for historically underserved populations, highlighting the need for systemic changes.
Limitations:
The study relies on a retrospective cohort analysis, which may limit causal inferences and introduce biases.
Data on the impact of telemedicine on access to care during the pandemic is not fully explored.
Conclusion:
The study aims to provide insights into how systemic factors contribute to disparities in surgical care during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
