Weight loss, weight regain, and conversions to Roux en Y gastric bypass: 10 year results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
BACKGROUND With promising short term results, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the second most frequently performed bariatric procedure worldwide. Aside from a growing number of reports covering up to 10 years of follow up, only limited data have been published so far on long term results. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to present a 10 year follow up for SG. SETTING University hospital setting, Austria. METHODS We present the first complete 10 year follow up of 53 consecutive patients who underwent SG before 2006. In this multicenter study, weight loss success, weight regain, and revisional surgery were analyzed beside Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) scores. RESULTS A mean maximum percent excess weight loss of 71+ 25% (percent total weight loss: 28+ 15% was reached at a median of 12 (range 12 120) months after SG. At 10 years, a mean percent excess weight loss of 53+ 25% was achieved by 32 patients, corresponding to a percent total weight loss of 26.3+ 13.4% Nineteen of the 53 patients (36% were converted to Roux en Y gastric bypass (n 18) or duodenal switch (n 1) due to significant weight regain (n 11) reflux (n 6) or acute revision (n 2) at a median of 36 months. Two patients died at 3 and 101 months postoperatively, unrelated to SG. A total of 31 patients (59% suffered from weight regain of 10 kg or more, among them 24 patients (45% with 15 kg or more, 16 patients (30% with 20 kg or more, and 7 patients (13% with 25 kg or more weight regain from nadir. Mean BAROS score was 2.4+ 2.2 at 10 years follow up, classifying SG as "fairly efficient." CONCLUSION Within a long term follow up of 10 years or more after SG, a high incidence of both significant weight regain and intractable reflux was observed, leading to conversion, most commonly to Roux en Y gastric bypass.
Surgery for obesity and related diseases official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery