One year after laparoscopic "tight" sleeve gastrectomy: technique and outcome

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently gaining ground as a new option for the treatment of morbid obesity. The main advantages of this procedure are less postoperative food restrictions, no vomiting, and absence of late complications due to the lack of foreign implants. The aim of this study is to present our experience with this new bariatric technique.

Methods: Ninety three obese patients (65 females and 28 males) who underwent LSG between September 2005 and September 2007 were studied in terms of postoperative complications and weight loss.

Results: Mean age was 38.37 +/- 10.81 years (range 19-69) and mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 139.12 +/- 24.03 kg (range 100-210) and 46.86 +/- 6.48 kg/m(2) (range 37-66), respectively. Mean follow-up was 12.51 +/- 4.15 months (range 3-24). There were no mortalities, but there were four major and four minor postoperative complications. The mean postoperative excess weight loss (EWL) was 58.32 +/- 16.54%, while mean BMI dropped to 32.98 +/- 6.54 kg/m(2). Mean EWL 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation was 31%, 53%, 67%, and 72%, respectively. Superobese patients (BMI > 50 kg/m(2)) lost less weight.

Conclusion: In the short term, LSG is a safe and highly effective bariatric operation more suitable for intermediate morbidly obese patients with BMI between 40 and 50 kg/m(2).