Effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss and obesity-associated co-morbidities: a 3-year outcome from Mainland Chinese patients

Abstract Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming a stand-alone bariatric surgery for obesity, but its effectiveness for Mainland Chinese patients remains unclear. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of LSG for Mainland Chinese patients Setting A tertiary hospital Methods Retrospective analysis of patients admitted for LSG between January 2011 and February 2012 was performed. Medium-term outcome measures were: total weight loss (%TWL), excess weight loss (%EWL), co-morbidities, improvement, and complications. Results Seventy patients (body mass index [BMI] 40.8±5.9 kg/m 2 ) underwent LSG, comprising 40 women and 30 men. The most common co-morbidity was diabetes (n = 29, 41.4%). Lost to follow-up rate for weight loss was 15.7%, 31.4%, and 41% at 1, 2, and 3 years. The %TWL was 34.4±6.1, 34.7±6.2 and 33.7±7.1 at 1, 2, and 3 years. The %EWL increased to 77.1±13.0, 77.9±12.2 and 77.2±13.1 at 1, 2, and 3years. The proportions of patients having successful weight loss were 100% or 85% at 3 years according the definition of %TWL>10% or %EWL>50%. Approximately 79.3%, 51.7%, and 44.8% of patients completed follow-up for glycemic control at each time point, respectively. The proportions of patients with optimal glycemic control (fasting blood glucose [FBG] 2 ). Early and late complications occurred in 8.6% and 7.1% of patients during follow-up. Conclusions LSG is effective in weight loss and glycemic control and is safe for Mainland Chinese obese patients, especially for patients with a BMI≥40 kg/m 2 .