The 3-Year Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Treatment of Korean Morbid Obesity

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In Asia, the types and the main causes of morbid obesity are different from those in western society. Therefore, the treatment plan should be different, and surgery for morbid obesity should be carefully chosen. The 3-year results for isolated laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) performedin the Korean population are reported. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 112 patients that underwent LSG from January 2003 to July 2006. Eighty-three of these patients had more than 3 years follow-up, and represent the subjects of this report. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed laparoscopicaly using the Endo-GIA stapler to create a lesser curve gastric tube over a 48-Fr bougie. RESULTS: The preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 36.4+/-5.2 (30.0~56.1). The mean excess BMI was 13.4+/-5.2. The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) in the postoperative first, second, and third year was 72.4+/-23.5, 69.5+/-29.4, and 66.8+/-33.4. The percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) was 74.1+/-25.6, 71.4+/-32.0, and 68.7+/-32.7. In 83 patients postoperatively after 3 years, 37 patients (44.6%) had >75% EBMIL, 22 patients (26.5%) had 50~75% EBMIL, 14 patients (16.9%) had 25~50% EBMIL, and 10 patients (12.0%) had less than 25% EBMIL. There was no 30-day peri-operative mortality. Two major complications (1 delayed bleeding, 1 leakage) occurred. CONCLUSION: LSG without the duodenal switch operation has been an effective single weight reducing surgical procedure thus far in most of the Korean patients.