Impact of Biliopancreatic Limb Length (70 cm vs 120 cm), with Constant 150 cm Alimentary Limb, on Long-Term Weight Loss, Remission of Comorbidities and Supplementation Needs After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The best alimentary and biliopancreatic limb (BPL) lengths in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) still remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a BPL of 70 vs 120 cm, with a constant AL of 150 cm on long-term weight loss, remission of comorbidities, and supplementation needs after RYGB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study of morbidly obese patients undergoing RYGB was performed. Patients were randomized into two groups: those patients undergoing RYGB with a BPL of 70 cm (BPL 70 cm) and those ones undergoing RYGB with a BPL of 120 cm (BPL 120 cm). BMI, excess BMI loss (EBMIL), remission of comorbidities and specific vitamin and mineral supplementation needs at 1, 2, and 5 years were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-three patients were included in each group. There were no significant differences in BMI, EBMIL and the remission of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia between groups at 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. Patients from group BPL 120 cm required greater specific supplementation of vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin A during all the follow-up. CONCLUSION: A RYGB with 120 cm BPL does not achieve greater weight loss or remission of comorbidities than a RYGB with 70 cm BPL but is associated with greater deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin A, and folic acid. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03607305. https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Long-term Weight and Metabolic Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Calibrated with a 50-Fr Bougie.

BACKGROUND: Most surgeons calibrate the sleeve with 32-French (Fr) to 40-Fr bougies hypothesizing that smaller bougies are associated with greater weight loss and long-term lower weight regain. The purpose of this study was to assess the weight loss results and resolution of comorbidities 5 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: A prospective study of all the morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie between October 2007 and February 2010 was performed. Excess weight loss (EWL) and remission of comorbidities were investigated at 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included for the analysis. One year after surgery, mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 81.8 % was achieved, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) resolution rate was 76.9 %, hypertension resolution was observed in 73.3 %, sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) resolution in 100 % hypertriglyceridemia was normalized in all the cases, and hypercholesterolemia in 21.4 %. Two years after surgery, mean EWL was 84.4 % and comorbidity resolution rate similar to that obtained after the first postoperative year. Five years after surgery, mean EWL was 78.7 %, T2DM resolution 69.2 %, hypertension 66.7 %, SAHS 100 %, hypertriglyceridemia 100 %, and hypercholesterolemia 14.3 %. CONCLUSIONS: LSG calibrated with a 50-Fr bougie obtained excellent results in weight loss and resolution comorbidities and their maintenance in the long-term follow-up in our series. In our opinion, the results depend more on a preoperative correct selection of candidates and a close postoperative follow-up, rather than using a narrow calibration bougie.