Short-term Experience of Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication in Morbidly Obese Korean Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is the new emerging surgical technique for treating morbid obesity. The short-term results of LGCP are not yet available in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected 18 patients' data with over 30 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI) who underwent LGCP from January 2013 to October 2014. Fifteen of these patients who had more than 3 months of follow-up were included in this report. LGCP was performed laparoscopically using interrupted and continuous sero-muscular suture from fundus to antrum over a 36-French bougie. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of surgery was 33.1+/-7.9 years in our patients. Mean weight was 98.9+/-15.5 kg and mean BMI was 35.7+/-4.1 kg/m2 preoperatively. The percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBL) in the postoperative first, third and sixth month was 33.6+/-9.1, 51.6+/-15.4 and 64.5+/-18.3%, respectively. There were no 30-day peri-operative mortality and major complications including bleeding, leakage and conversion bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: These findings show that LGCP is a safe and effective weight loss option for morbidly obese Korean patients in short-term period. Randomized prospective control studies between gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy and LGCP, are needed to confirm short-term weight loss effect and safety of LGCP in this group of patients.