Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as an isolated bariatric procedure: Intermediate-term results from a large series in three Austrian centers

Background Gastric sleeve resection was initially planned as the first step of bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch but it continues to emerge as a restrictive bariatric procedure on its own. We describe intermediate results in a series of 126 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies (LSG) compiled from three bariatric centers in eastern Austria. Methods The stomach was laparoscopically reduced to a sleeve along the lesser curvature over a 48-Fr bougie. Special attention was placed on complete resection of the gastric fundus. Results After a mean follow-up of 19.1 months, patients had lost between 2.3 and 27 kg/m(2) or between 6.7% and 130% of their excessive weight. Sixty four percent of the patients lost > 50% of their excess weight within an average of 20 months. Seven percent of the patients had an excess weight loss < 25% and were therefore considered as failures. The only major surgical complication was leakage of the staple-line needing revision (three times). There were no operative mortalities. Conclusion The final place of LSG in bariatric surgery is still unclear, but our results and those of others show that LSG can be a viable alternative to established procedures.