Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Using 42-French Versus 32-French Bougie: The First-Year Outcome

The optimal size of bougie in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the first-year outcome of LSG using two different sizes of bougies. This study used a single institute retrospective case-control study of two groups of patients. Group A (N = 66) underwent LSG using 42-Fr and group B (N = 54) using 32-Fr bougies. A medication score was applied to assess the change in comorbid conditions. Groups A and B's age (39.5 +/- 12 vs. 43.6 +/- 12.3 years), weight (119 +/- 17 vs. 120 +/- 20), and BMI (42.8 +/- 3.8 vs. 43.6 +/- 6.9 kg/m(2)), respectively, were comparable (p = NS). Comorbid conditions were type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in 19 (29 %) vs. 23 (43 %) patients, hypertension in 22 (33 %) vs. 18 (33 %) patients, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in 28 (42 %) vs. 10 (19 %) patients, respectively. At 1 year, group A vs. B BMI was (29.4 +/- 5 vs. 30 +/- 5 kg/m(2)) and excess weight loss was 67 vs. 65 %, respectively (p = NS). Postoperatively, T2DM (79 vs. 83 %), hypertension (82 vs. 61 %), and GERD (82 vs. 60 %) (p = NS), respectively, in groups A vs. B did not require previous medications anymore. Complications were comparable. Our data suggest that using a 42-Fr or 32-Fr bougie does not influence LSG first-year weight loss or resolution of comorbid conditions. Long-term data is needed to conclude this issue.