Outcome analysis of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity: The first 116 cases

• Published in: Surgical endoscopy Vol. 16; no. 12; pp. 1653 - 1657
• Main Authors: PAPASAVAS, P. K, HAYETIAN, F. D, CAUSHAJ, P. F, LANDRENEAU, R. J, MAURER, J, KEENAN, R. J, QUINLIN, R. F, GAGNE, D. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y - adverse effects; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y - methods; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y - mortality; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Loss, Surgical - statistics & numerical data; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastric Bypass - adverse effects; Gastric Bypass - methods; Gastric Bypass - mortality; Humans; Laparoscopy - adverse effects; Laparoscopy - methods; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity, Morbid - surgery; Postoperative Complications - surgery; Prospective Studies; Reoperation - methods; Stomach, duodenum, intestine, rectum, anus; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Weight Loss; Human; Stomach; Professional experience; Obesity; Demography; Hospitalization delay; Treatment efficiency; Nutrition disorder; Weight loss; Bariatric surgery; Gastric bypass; Roux en Y loop; Laparoscopy; Prospective; Concomitant disease; Roux-en-Y; Bypass; Cohort study; Complication; Morbid obesity; Nutritional status; Outcome analysis
• ISSN: 0930-2794; 1432-2218
• DOI: 10.1007/s00464-002-8531-5

Morbid obesity has been described as a continuing epidemic affecting a growing portion of our population. We report an outcome analysis of our early experience with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in the treatment of morbid obesity.
Two surgeons performed 116 consecutive LRYGBs at a single institution, creating a 25-ml pouch and a 90- to 150-cm Roux limb. The prospectively collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, postoperative weight loss, and complications.
All eight conversions to an open procedure occurred early during the experience of the surgeons. The mean operating room time for the first 50 cases was 272 min, which decreased to 198 min with experience. The mean length of hospital stay was 3 days. There were 34 complications in 27 patients (23.3%), 14 of which (12%) required reoperation. At 18 months postoperatively, the patients had lost 77% of their excess weight, and their body mass index had decreased from a mean of 49.3 to 32.6 kg/m2. As a result of LRYGB, 25% of the patients were rendered completely free of any pharmacologic treatment for their preexisting comorbidities.
Although technically challenging, LRYGB can be performed safely with excellent long-term results. The mean operating room time and conversion rate improved with experience. As this study showed, LRYGB achieves an excellent rate of weight loss and improvement in preoperative comorbidities with a minimal length of hospital stay and an acceptable complication rate.