Quantitative analysis of bariatric procedure trends 2001–13 in South Australia: implications for equity in access and public healthcare expenditure

Objectives. The aims of the present study were to: (1) identify trends in bariatric surgery in South Australia (SA) from 2001 to 2013" and (2) compare public and private hospitals, and so discuss the implications of these trends as they relate to equity in access to bariatric procedures and public system healthcare expenditure.

Methods. An analysis of retrospective data of all bariatric procedures in public and private hospitals in SA was conducted using all SA public and private hospital administrative records between 2001 and 2013.

Results. Of all procedures conducted in SA, 22.6% were revisions or reversals. The number of revisions or reversals conducted in SA has increased at a rate higher than weight loss procedures (6.4- vs 3.8-fold increase). An increasing proportion of public surgeries are revisions or reversals of weight loss procedures that occurred outside of the SA public system (interstate or in the private system).

Conclusion. Further investigation is necessary to identify the pathways patients navigate to access bariatric surgery, the utilisation of public services following private procedures and why rates of revisions or reversals of bariatric procedures are increasing in SA.