An Analysis of 1-3-Year Follow-up Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: an Indian Perspective

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become very popular nowadays among bariatric surgeons because of its surgical simplicity and good postoperative results. We present our experience on LSG as a single stage primary bariatric procedure for morbid obesity and its 1-3-year follow-up results. Between March 2008 and March 2011, a total of 110 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Two patients were excluded from the study and thus the prospectively maintained data of 108 patients were retrospectively reviewed and outcomes were recorded. The mean patient age was 39.3 +/- 11.1 years, mean body mass index was 44.5 +/- 6.8, mean excess body weight was 54.1 +/- 16.3 kg, and the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3.1 +/- 0.57. The mean operative time for the LSG procedure was 64.8 +/- 10.6 min. The minimum follow-up duration was 6 months and maximum of 36 months. The mean postoperative percent excess body weight loss achieved was 67.5 +/- 13.0 at 1 year, 71.1 +/- 13.8 at 2 years, and 66.09 +/- 14.3 at 3 years. At the end of 3 years, there was 83.3% resolution in diabetes, 85.7% resolution in hypertension, and 85.71% resolution in dyslipidemia. There were no reports of postoperative hemorrhage, gastric leak, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, delayed gastric tube stricture, and operative mortality. LSG is a safe and effective bariatric procedure with low perioperative complications. Before it is considered as a single stage primary procedure, a long-term prospective comparative study with other bariatric procedures is required.