Roux en Y gastric bypass by single-incision mini-laparotomy: outcomes in 3,300 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND

Although the laparoscopic technique of Roux en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has popularized this weight loss procedure, the costs are justifiable if outcomes are superior to the open technique. We report our results with single-incision mini-laparotomy.

METHODS

From June 2000 through November 2009, RYGB was performed in 3,300 consecutive patients using a 10-15-cm single-abdominal incision. Established guidelines for patient selection were followed and protocols were developed for patient education and for the prevention of perioperative complications. Weight loss (WL) over time and complications were recorded prospectively. Actual 90-day mortality was compared to that predicted by the Obesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score (OS-MRS).

RESULTS

Eighty-four percent of patients were females with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 50 ± 13. BMI of males was 54 ± 9. There was a normal distribution of the WL response over 2,000 days. Complications included bleeding (1.4%), leak (1%), pulmonary embolism (0.7%), internal hernia (2.5%), and incisional hernia (5.6%). There were 1,793 Class A, 1,288 Class B, and 219 Class C patients. Eleven patients (0.3%) died within 90 days (one Class A, seven Class B, and three Class C), with mortality rates in all classes less than expected by the OS-MRS. Average hospital charges were $13,000.

CONCLUSIONS

Our protocols and operative technique should be reproducible in other centers and may have a special appeal, if the costs of LRYGB limit access to bariatric surgery in qualified patients.