March 21, 2016

According to recent data published by Estonian Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (ESBMS) the total number of bariatric surgeries in Estonia was 681 in last – 2015 year. There was a moderate increase compared to 2014, when number bariatric procedures totaled 629. The president of ESBMS  Ilmar Kaur, MD noted, that bariatric surgery in Estonia has been 100% laparoscopic in last years and 90 day perioperative mortality was zero in 2015. Emergency reoperations due to serious postoperative complications were required in  5 patients (0,7%). The figure being 1,7% in 2014 for Estonia and 2,17% for Sweden (according to Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry). The most prevalent surgical methods in Estonia was laparoscopic gastric bypass (62%) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (36%). Bariatric surgeries were performed in 7 Estonian hospitals. Among them the highest number – 268 – surgeries were performed by Bariatric Services surgeons Doc Kaur and Doc Miidla.

The safety and efficacy of the bariatric surgery in Estonia demonstrates the fact that 524 operations per one million of population were performed last year. The figure being higher only in few countries in the world: Belgium (800), Sweden (708), USA (600), France (600) and Norway (570).  In Finland and Denmark  only 160 bariatric surgeries per million population were performed last year.
 

Author profile

Bariatric Services in Tallinn, Estonia is the region's largest bariatric surgery centre. Staffed by a highly experienced surgical team, a specialist bariatric nurse and an English-speaking programme co-ordinator, the clinic provides affordable access to laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy, gastric balloon, revision bariatric surgery and a range of post-bariatric plastic surgery options.