Second-stage duodenal switch for sleeve gastrectomy failure: A matched controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the predominant bariatric surgery worldwide. However, the surgical management in case of failure is still debated.

Objectives: To evaluate the risks and benefits of converting SG to biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) for suboptimal outcome after SG.

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary care center.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent a laparoscopic second-stage duodenal switch (DS) for weight loss failure after SG and had a minimal follow-up of 2 years. Patients were matched 1:1 for age, sex, body mass index, and year of surgery with a group of patients who underwent a single-stage laparoscopic BPD-DS. Data were obtained from our prospective electronic database and are reported as the mean ± standard deviation, comparing 2- versus 1-stage BPD-DS.

Results: A total of 118 patients were included (59 in each group). There was no significant difference in initial body mass index (53.8 ± 9.7 versus 52.7 ± 7.8 kg/m², P = .4), age (44.0 ± 10.2 versus 43.4 ± 9.6 yr, P = .5), and sex ratio (37 female/22 male, P > .9) between the 2 groups. Mean follow-up was 59.9 ± 27 months, with an 85% (n = 100) follow-up rate. Patients were converted to BPD-DS after a mean 24.4 ± 10.2 months. There was no short- or long-term mortality. Major 90-days complications occurred in 2%, 5%, and 5% after SG, second-stage DS and single-stage BPD-DS, respectively (P > .05). At the time of conversion, the excess weight loss for SG was 39 ± 17% and total weight loss was 20 ± 9%. After DS or single-stage BPD-DS, the excess weight loss was 74.8 ± 18% versus 87.9 ± 18% at 1 year (n = 107, P = .00021), 80.2 ± 17% versus 92.3 ± 14% at 2 years (n = 100, P = .002), and 80.2 ± 18% versus 87.2 ± 16% at 3 years (n = 70, P = .6). Total weight loss was 38.7 ± 9% versus 44.5 ± 8% at 1 year (P = .0004), 41.2 ± 9% versus 46.8 ± 7% at 2 years (P = .001), and 42.3 ± 9% versus 45.1 ± 9% at 3 years (P = .2). The incidence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension before surgery were 61% versus 54% and 58% versus 47%. Remission rate for type 2 diabetes increased from 59% to 94% after second-stage DS (P = .001), which is identical to first-stage BPD-DS (94%). Remission of hypertension increased from 42% to 77% after second-stage DS (P = .03) and was 71% after first-stage BPD-DS (P = .8).

Conclusion: Second-stage DS is an effective option for the management of suboptimal outcomes of SG, with an additional 41% excess weight loss and 35% remission rate for type 2 diabetes. At 3 years, the global outcomes of staged approach did not significantly differ from single-stage BPD-DS; however, longer-term outcomes are still needed.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Duodenal switch; Revisional surgery; Sleeve gastrectomy.