S160 Exploring the Role of Acute Pancreatitis on 30-Day Readmission Rates After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: A National Readmission Database Study

Introduction: Rising obesity rates are accompanied by an increase in acute pancreatitis (AP), likely driven by the heightened risk of gallstone formation in obese individuals. Bariatric surgery continues to be a safe and effective long-term treatment for morbid obesity. The 30-day readmission rate after bariatric surgery is commonly used as a benchmark for surgical quality and patient care. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of coexistent AP on 30-day readmissions following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Methods: Using the national readmission database 2021, we used ICD-10 procedure codes to identify patients who underwent VSG. Patients were tracked for 30-day readmission. The primary outcome was to analyze the effect of co-existent AP on 30-day readmissions after VSG. Secondary outcomes were readmission mortality rate and healthcare resource utilization, including length of hospital stay and total hospitalization charges. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 117,219 patients underwent VSG. The 30-day readmission rate was 2.6%. Readmitted patients had an increased length of stay (mean: 4.7 vs 1.5 days, P < 0.01) and higher hospitalization charges ($65,997 vs $58,085, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant change in the number of patients who died between the readmission and the index admission (24 vs 22 patients). Co-existent AP was associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission (Hazard ratio: 2.09, P < 0.01) after adjusting for other independent predictors using multivariate Cox regression analysis. The 5 most common reasons for readmissions were dehydration, unspecified; nausea with vomiting, unspecified; sepsis, unspecified organism; acute kidney failure, unspecified; and infection due to another bariatric procedure. Conclusion: Readmissions after VSG are associated with higher healthcare burdens, including longer hospital stays and increased hospitalization charges. Our findings demonstrate that a coexistent history of AP significantly increases the likelihood of 30-day readmission following VSG. These results highlight the importance of recognizing AP as a potential risk factor for readmission in patients undergoing VSG. Identifying and managing high-risk patients prior to surgery may help reduce postoperative readmissions and optimize resource utilization.