LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRIC SLEEVE. A TECHNIQUE FOR THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF MORBID OBESITY. EXPERIENCE IN 70 PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To present the effectiveness of laparoscopic gastric sleeve in the management of obesity, its influence in the % of excess weight-loss and body mass index (BMI) Patients and methods: We describe our experience in 70 patients to whom we performed a laparoscopic gastric sleeve at the Instituto Clínico La Florida, in Caracas, from June 2006 to December 2007 (18 months). It were analyzed demographic
records, surgical time, hospital staying, complications, weight-loss % and body mass index. Results: Seventy obese patients were submitted to laparoscopic gastric sleeve ( 49 female – 21 male ), mean age 43 years (18-65). Body mass index of 40,3 kg/m2 ( 32 – 55). Average surgical time of 106 minutes (75-120), and hospital staying of 2 days (1-9). Weight loss percentage in 3, 6, 9 12, 15 and 18 respectively were 43 %, 57 %, 65 %, 70 %, 73 % and 74 %. The body mass index for the same period were 35,2, 32,1, 30,5, 30,4 and 29,9. We observed 5 main complications (7,1 %): 2 pneumonies (2,85 %), 1 bleeding (1,42 %), 1 delirium (1,42 %), 1 gastric leakage (1,42 %). No mortality and no reintervention:
Conclusion: At this moment the laparoscopic gastric sleeve has been shown a safe and effective procedure in the management of morbid obesity. Nevertheless, as all new technique, we must evaluate its outcome as the time passes by.