Three-Year Follow-Up of Laparoscopic Reduced Port Sleeve Gastrectomy in 808 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a very popular technique for the treatment of morbid obesity. Less and less invasive laparoscopic approaches to SG have been proposed and shown to be safe and feasible. OBJECTIVES: We developed a reduced port laparoscopic approach to sleeve gastrectomy (RLSG) with the aim to further optimize the advantages of laparoscopy. Preliminary and safety profile of RLSG as well as 3 years weight loss outcome are hereby discussed. SETTING: University Hospital, Kuwait. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients had morbid obesity with history of failure of conservative treatment. The RLSG procedure was performed using only two skin incisions. RESULTS: The analyzed population comprised 808 patients, including 642 women and 166 men. Mean age and BMI were 28.34 ± 8.37 and 41.09 ± 6.34, respectively. Mean operative time was 43 ± 20 min (range, 31-185). Mortality was nil. Overall morbidity rate was (4.5%). Three patients had postoperative leak (0.4%). Median duration of hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1-5). Mean percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) was 23.18 ± 17.3% at 1 month, 55.08 ± 22.9% at 6 months, 82.6 ± 22.6% at 1 year, and 84.3 ± 22.4% at 3 years. Mean percentage total weight loss (%TWL) was 9.34% at 1 month, 22.42% at 6 months, and 34.57% at 1 year. CONCLUSION: RLSG is a safe and effective surgical option in patients with morbid obesity. Moreover, 3-year follow-up assessment confirmed adequate % EWL.