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. 2024 Apr;34(4):1075-1085.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-024-07118-3. Epub 2024 Mar 4.

IFSO Worldwide Survey 2020-2021: Current Trends for Bariatric and Metabolic Procedures

Luigi Angrisani  1 , Antonella Santonicola  2 , Paola Iovino  2 , Rossella Palma  3 , Lilian Kow  4 , Gerhard Prager  5 , Almino Ramos  6 , Scott Shikora  7 ; Collaborative Study Group for the IFSO Worldwide Survey
Collaborators, Affiliations

IFSO Worldwide Survey 2020-2021: Current Trends for Bariatric and Metabolic Procedures

Luigi Angrisani et al. Obes Surg. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: This IFSO survey aims to describe the current trends of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) reporting on the number and types of surgical and endoluminal procedures performed in 2020 and 2021, in the world and within each IFSO chapter.

Methods: All national societies belonging to IFSO were asked to complete the survey form. The number and types of procedures performed (surgical and endoluminal interventions) from 2020 to 2021 were documented. A special section focused on the impact of COVID-19, the existence of national protocols for MBS, the use of telemedicine, and any mortality related to MBS. A trend analysis of the data, both worldwide and within each IFSO chapter, was also performed for the period between 2018 and 2021.

Results: Fifty-seven of the 74 (77%) IFSO national societies submitted the survey. Twenty-four of the 57 (42.1%) reported data from their national registries. The total number of surgical and endoluminal procedures performed in 2020 was 507,806 and in 2021 was 598,834. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) remained the most performed bariatric procedure. Thirty national societies (52%) had regional protocols for MBS during COVID-19, 61.4% supported the use of telemedicine, and only 47.3% collected data on mortality after MBS in 2020. These percentages did not significantly change in 2021 (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The number of MBS markedly decreased worldwide during 2020. Although there was a positive trend in 2021, it did not reach the values obtained before the COVID-19 pandemic. SG continued to be the most performed operation. Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) continues to decrease worldwide.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; IFSO chapters; Metabolic and bariatric surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The IFSO survey form 2020–2021
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The worldwide trend from 2018 to 2021 of the main bariatric/metabolic procedures
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The trend in the percentage of the main surgical bariatric operations performed in the APC from 2018 to 2021
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The trend in the percentage of the main surgical bariatric operations performed in the EC from 2018 to 2021
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The trend in the percentage of the main surgical bariatric operations performed in the LAC from 2018 to 2021
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
The trend in the percentage of the main surgical bariatric operations performed in the MENAC from 2018 to 2021
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
The trend in the percentage of the main surgical bariatric operations performed in the NAC from 2018 to 2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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