Efficacy of laparoscopic greater curvature plication for weight loss and type 2 diabetes: 1-year follow-up

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) has gained popularity within the last 2 years because it is a restrictive procedure that reduces gastric volume without the need for stomach resection.

Methods: A prospective study was performed in which 55 morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes (44 female, 11 male) underwent LGCP. The patients had a mean age of 38.5 years (22-55 years), mean BMI of 43.5 kg/m(2) (35-52 kg/m(2)), and mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.9 % (6-10 %).

Results: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean operative time was 55 min (40-80 min), and the mean hospital stay was 1.8 days (1.5-5 days). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported apart from three cases of resistant nausea and vomiting and one case of intraluminal bleeding. The mean excess weight loss (EWL%) was 35 % (30-65 %) after 12 months with a mean BMI of 38 kg/m(2) after 12 months. A total of 23 % of patients stopped losing weight 6 months after the procedure, and 11 % began regaining about 14 % (12-20 %) of their EWL 9 months after the procedure. The mean HbA1c was 7.5 % (5.5-8 %) after 12 months.

Conclusions: LGCP is feasible and safe in the short term when applied to morbidly obese patients, but may be unsustainable. It is inferior as a restrictive procedure for resolution of type 2 diabetes. Longer follow-up and prospective comparative trials are needed to clarify whether it can be considered an effective single-stage procedure for treating morbidly obese diabetic patients and their comorbidities.