The effects of bougie caliber on leaks and excess weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Is there an ideal bougie size?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a common surgical procedure, yet there is no consensus on what bougie size is best for LSG. We reviewed the literature and assessed the relationship between the size of bougie used and the incidence of leak as well as weight loss parameters. We wanted to determine if there is an ideal bougie size for LSG. A search of the medical literature was undertaken. We limited the search to articles published in the last 5 years written in English and investigating humans. We analyzed 32 publications comprising 4,999 patients. We determined the frequency of staple line leaks as well as weight loss parameters in relation to bougie size. This study was exempt from our institutional review board. The use of bougies of 40 French (F) and larger was associated with a leak rate of 0.92% as opposed to 2.67% for smaller bougies (p < 0.05). Weight loss in percent of extra weight loss (%EWL) was 69.2% when a bougie of 40 F and larger was used, as opposed to 60.7% of EWL when smaller bougies were used (p = 0.29). LSG is becoming an important and common procedure. Larger sizing bougies are associated with a significant decrease in incidence of leak with no change in weight loss. Further studies are needed before an unequivocal decision on the optimal bougie size is made. A recommendation to use the smallest bougie possible should be avoided because the risks may outweigh the benefits.