Gastrectomia Vertical Laparoscópica – Estudo Retrospetivo de 250 Casos

Introduction: Vertical calibrated gastrectomy, usually know as “gastric sleeve” (SG) by laparoscopy, is a promising technique for the surgical treatment of obesity. In this study, we present the results of our surgical center with this surgical procedure, compared them with other published studies and analyzed its impact on weight loss evolution. Material and methods: Observational retrospective  study of 250 SG. Surgeries were included independently of being primary SG or redo surgery. The weight evolution data was analyzed only in patients submitted to SG as a primary bariatric procedure. Results: We found a mean operative time of 119 minutes, conversion to laparotomy in 2,0% of patients. Global 30-days morbidity of 15,6%, mostly minor complications (10,8%). Two surgical-related deaths (0,8%). The readmission rate was 9,2% and the reintervention rate was 5,6%. An anastomotic leak occurred in 2,8% of the patients. Mean pre-operative BMI was 44,6kg/m2 and the percentage of excess weight loss at one and two years after surgery was 78,5% and 81,5% respectively. Discussion: The results presented in this study are similar to those published in other case series when it comes to mean age, complications and laparotomy conversion rates. The observed weight loss was sustained throughout the follow-up period and was similar to that observed in other studies of both gastric sleeve and gastric by-pass. Conclusion: The results of this study support the validity of the use of gastric sleeve in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity as a good technical option.