From Database to Practice: The MBSAQIP in the Surgical Literature

Background The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) has been a game changer for metabolic and bariatric (MBS) surgeons, with continuous improvements in safety and outcomes throughout the years of its usage. It allows in-depth evaluations of MBS procedures, presenting practitioners and researchers with unparalleled opportunities for quality assessment, research and clinical advancement. Objective To offer an updated overview of MBSAQIP-related publications. Setting United States. Methods PubMed was queried using keywords “MBSAQIP” and “Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program”. Letters to editors, duplicates, commentaries, and retracted articles were excluded. Studies that mentioned MBSAQIP but did not use the data within were also excluded. Results A total of 400 search items were returned as of August 2023. After exclusions, 289 studies were reviewed. Articles were published in a total of 28 unique journals, the majority of which were featured in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, with 114 articles (39.4%). 61 articles were focused on creating predictive models or risk calculators, 58 on investigating the safety of procedures and 52 on exploring complications. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and gastric bypass (RYGB) were the two most commonly discussed procedures, at 80.3% and 80% respectively. 43 studies included patients who underwent robotic-assisted MBS. Conclusions The MBSAQIP is a valuable resource that has generated a wealth of studies in the literature. It has allowed for intense analysis of clinical issues and fostered a culture of safety and quality improvement. Participating surgeons must pledge commitment to extended follow-up periods to maximize its effectiveness.