THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAPAROSCOPIC BARIATRIC SURGERY IN BRAZIL

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15952925150815

• Palavras-chave: Bariatric Surgery; COVID-19; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Laparoscopy.

• Keywords: Bariatric Surgery; COVID-19; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Laparoscopy.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS) are global public health problems, with increasing prevalence in Brazil. Bariatric surgery, especially by laparoscopy, has established itself as an effective strategy for controlling obesity and its associated factors, promoting significant clinical improvement and reduced mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has posed challenges to the maintenance of elective procedures, directly affecting access to this type of intervention. Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of laparoscopic bariatric surgeries in Brazil, based on national public data. Methodology: This is a quantitative, retrospective epidemiological study with data extracted from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) between December 2017 and December 2024. All records of hospitalizations for laparoscopic bariatric surgery during the period were included. The variables analyzed were the number of annual procedures and their variation over time. As this is public domain data, the study is exempt from submission to the Ethics Committee, according to CNS Resolution No. 510/2016. Results: A progressive increase in the number of surgeries was observed until 2019. In 2020, there was a 33.7% drop compared to the previous year, coinciding with the peak of the pandemic. Starting in 2021, procedures resumed at an accelerated pace, reaching 5,419 surgeries in 2024, the highest number recorded in the period analyzed. Conclusion: The pandemic negatively impacted the performance of bariatric surgeries in 2020, but the resumption in the following years indicates both an operational recovery and an increase in demand, possibly driven by a greater perception of obesity as a risk factor for COVID-19 complications. It is essential to strengthen public policies to expand access to this treatment.