Update: 10 Years of Sleeve Gastrectomy-the First 103 Patients

Abstract

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been the most frequently performed bariatric procedure worldwide since 2014. Therefore, it is vital to look at its outcomes in a long-term follow-up based on a large patient collective. Main points of discussion are weight regain, reflux, and patients' quality of life at 10+ years after the procedure.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present an update of data that have been published recently and, thus, achieve more conclusive results. The number of patients has been doubled, and the length of the follow-up is still 10+ years.

Setting: Multi-center study, medical university clinic, Austria METHODS: This study includes all patients who had SG before December 2006 at the participating bariatric centers. At 10+ years, non-converted patients (67%) were examined using gastroscopy, manometry, 24-hour pH-metry, and questionnaires. Patients' history of weight, comorbidities, and reflux were established through interviews.

Results: At 10+ years after SG, the authors found a conversion rate of 33%, an %EWL in non-converted patients of 50.0 ± 22.5, reflux in 57%, and Barrett's metaplasia in 14% of non-converted patients. Gastroscopies revealed that patients with reflux were significantly more likely to have de-novo hiatal hernia. A significantly lower quality of life was detected through GIQLI and BAROS in patients with reflux.

Conclusion: The authors recommend gastroscopies at 5-year intervals after SG to detect the possible sequelae of reflux at an early stage. Conversion to Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) works well to cure patients from reflux but may not be as efficient at treating weight regain.

Keywords: Comorbidities; Conversion; Long-term follow-up; Quality of life; Reflux; Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass; Sleeve gastrectomy; Weight regain.