Sleeve gastrectomy in the German Bariatric Surgery Registry from 2005 to 2016: Perioperative and 5-year results.

BACKGROUND

Recently, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become one of the most important procedures in bariatric surgery. Short-term results show that SG is a feasible, safe, and effective operation treating obesity and its related co-morbidities. Now, the main focus is on long-term data after SG.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze perioperative and long-term results after SG in the German Bariatric Surgery Registry.

SETTING

National database, Germany.

METHODS

Perioperative data of primary SG (n = 21525) and follow-up data for 5 years ± 6 months (n = 435, 18.3% of 2375 SG performed between 2005 and 2011) were analyzed. After a review of the literature long-term results were compared with international data.

RESULTS

Mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 51.1 kg/m. Two hundred ninety-eight (68.5%) patients were female and 137 (31.5%) were male. Of patients, 90% had ≥1 co-morbidities. Mean operation time was 86 minutes. General postoperative complications occurred in 4.1% and special complications in 4.6% (staple-line leaks 1.6%). Mean maximum BMI loss was 18.0 ± 6.8 kg/m and BMI loss after 5 years was 14.3 ± 7.4 kg/m (P < .001). Co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, were significantly improved (P < .001). Gastroesophageal reflux was significantly impaired (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results showed that SG is a safe and effective procedure in bariatric surgery. BMI loss was significant 5 years after SG. Most co-morbidities were significantly improved, but gastroesophageal reflux has often worsened. The follow-up rate was very low, which is a persistent problem in German bariatric surgery.