Is staple line oversewing in patients on chronic anticoagulation during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy necessary? Propensity score matching analysis using the 2015–2018 MBSAQIP

Background: There is an increased incidence of post-operative bleeding in patients on chronic anticoagulation (CAC). This incited some surgeons to oversew the sleeve staple line as a potentially preventive measure for post-operative bleeding. However, there is no clear evidence to assess the effectiveness of staple line oversewing during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with CAC. Methods: Using the 2015–2018 metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation and quality improvement program database, patients between ages 18 and 65 who underwent LSG were included. To investigate the role of CAC, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) between the CAC and non-CAC patients. Then, to explore the impact of oversewing, we focused on the CAC patients and divided them into 2 subgroups: oversewing versus non-oversewing. PSM was also performed to compare both subgroups. To avoid confounders, both PSM analyses were performed using 22 preoperative characteristics. 30-day postoperative outcomes including bleeding and blood transfusion requirement were assessed. Results: 402,826 patients underwent LSG. 9148 patients (2.3%) were on CAC. In the CAC cohort (8843 matched cases), the anticoagulated patients showed significant increase in postoperative bleeding (1.2% vs. 0.5%; P < 0.001), blood transfusion requirements (1.7% vs. 0.7%; P < 0.001), unplanned ICU admissions (2.0% vs. 1.3%; P = 0.001), interventions (2.0% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.015), and readmissions (6.2% vs. 4.7%; P < 0.001). 1939 (21.2%) patients on CAC underwent oversewing during the LSG. The operative time was significantly longer in these patients (87.11 ± 40 vs. 76.19 ± 37; P < 0.001). Patients who underwent oversewing showed similar results in 30-day outcomes as those who did not, with no statistical difference, including postoperative bleeding (1.0% vs. 0.9%; P = 0.8) and blood transfusion requirements (1.4% vs. 1.8%; P = 0.9). Conclusion: Incidences of post-operative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements are higher in patients on CAC during the LSG. Oversewing the sleeve staple line leads to longer operative times without additional benefit in 30-day outcomes.