Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in obese Korean patients: up to 4-year follow-up in a single center.

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been gaining marked popularity as a stand-alone treatment for morbid obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the midterm outcomes and efficacy of LSG performed at a single center in Korea.

METHODS

The records of 192 consecutive patients who underwent LSG between April 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' demographics and surgical outcomes including anthropometric data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative body mass index was 40.0 ± 7.2 kg/m(2), and 120 patients (62.5%) had at least one obesity-related comorbidity. Three patients (1.6%) required endoscopic or surgical intervention to manage postoperative bleeding or leakage. At the postoperative 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year follow-ups, the mean percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) values were 72.6%, 80.6%, 71.1%, and 57.8%, respectively, with follow-up rates of 81%, 56%, 58%, and 30% respectively. The overall mean %EWL reached 68.3% ± 27.2% at a mean follow-up of 25 months. Obesity-related comorbidities were resolved in >70% of the patients after surgery. Twelve months after LSG, 25 patients (13.0%) showed a %EWL of <50%; 9 (4.7%) required conversion to gastric bypass due to inadequate weight loss, intolerable reflux symptoms, or intractable diabetes.

CONCLUSION

These midterm results show that LSG is a safe and effective surgical procedure for morbidly obese patients. However, a longer follow-up period is necessary to elucidate whether LSG can achieve durable weight loss and long-term outcomes, comparable to those of more aggressive procedures.