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Radiocast: Reduced Complications for Bariatric
Surgery
Rand: This is Healthcare 411: Information for better health. Risks
associated with weight loss surgery, called bariatric surgery, have decreased in
recent years. AHRQ research shows surgical complications are down 21 percent and
post-surgical infections have declined 58 percent. AHRQ Senior Economist Dr.
Didem Bernard explains:
Dr. Bernard: We’re seeing reduced complications in bariatric surgery due
to a combination of factors. First, there has been an increased use of
laparoscopy, which is a technique that allows physicians to operate through
smaller incisions, making it less risky for the patient. Second, we’ve seen an
increased use of less invasive procedures. For instance, surgeons are more
likely to put a band around the stomach rather than to cut it. Third, surgeons
are becoming more experienced in performing bariatric surgery.
Rand: Healthcare 411 is produced by AHRQ, the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
I’m Rand Gardner for Healthcare 411.
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