Continuous monitoring after laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass: a pathway to ambulatory care surgery – a pilot study

Same-day discharge (SDD) after Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB) faces resistance due to possible undetected postoperative complications. These present with changes in vital signs, which continuous remote monitoring devices can detect. This study compared continuous vital signs monitoring using the Isansys Patient Status Engine™ with standard nursing vital signs measurements to assess the device’s reliability in postoperative surveillance of patients undergoing LRYGB. We conducted a pilot study including patients who underwent LRYGB. During their hospital stay, patients were continuously monitored using the Isansys Patient Status Engine™ with Lifetouch™, Lifetemp™, and Nonin Pulse Oximeter™ sensors. The heart rate (HR), body temperature, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) collected by the device were compared with standard nursing assessments. Thirteen patients with a mean body mass index of 41.5 ± 4.4 kg/m² were included. No major complications occurred. The median HR assessed by standard and continuous monitoring did not significantly differ (75.5 [69–88] vs. 77 [66–91] bpm, p = 0.995), nor did the mean values of SpO₂ (94.7 ± 2.0 vs. 93.7 ± 1.8%, p = 0,057). A significant difference was observed in median body temperature between the nursing staff and the monitoring device (36.3 [36.1–36.7] vs. 36.1 [34.5–36.6] degrees Celsius, p = 0.012), with a tendency for lower temperature measurements by the device. In conclusion, this is the first study on continuous postoperative surveillance using the Isansys Patient Status Engine™ monitoring device for LRYGB patients. Our results introduce a novel tool for more efficient surgery. Prospective randomized experimental studies are warranted to evaluate this method’s efficacy and safety.