BACKGROUND

One of the surgical options available for the super-obese patient is the sleeve gastrectomy. We present results of this operation in a series of 118 patients.

METHODS

The charts of all patients who have had the sleeve gastrectomy performed were reviewed for demographic data, complications, weight, and nutritional parameters.

RESULTS

Median age was 47 years (16-70). Median BMI was 55 kg/m(2) (37-108), with 73% of patients having a BMI>> or =50 kg/m(2). 41% of the patients were male. The operation was performed by laparotomy in all but three cases, which were performed laparoscopically. Median hospital stay was 6 days (3-59). There was one perioperative death (0.85%). 18 patients (15.3%) had postoperative complications. Median percent excess weight loss was 37.8% at 6 months, 49.4% at 12 months, and 47.3% at 24 months. Median follow-up was 13 months (1-66). At 1 year postoperatively, the percentage of patients with normal serum levels of albumin was 100%, hemoglobin 86.1%, and calcium 87.2%, compared to 98.1%, 85.6%, and 94.3% preoperatively. 6 patients requested conversion to a duodenal switch during the follow-up period; all left the hospital in 4-6 days without major complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the sleeve gastrectomy does not result in as much weight loss as the duodenal switch or gastric bypass, it can be used as a stand-alone operation or as a bridge to more complex procedures in the high-risk super-obese patient.