Magnetic-Assisted Reduced-Port Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most popular bariatric surgeries. With the advent of new technologies, a reduced-port approach assisted by magnets for sleeve gastrectomy (RPSG-MA) has been developed. The aim of our study is to compare the short-term results of RPSG-MA vs conventional laparoscopic SG (CLSG). METHODS: A comparative study was performed. We compared two groups who underwent RPSG-MA (n=150) and CLSG (n=135) between January 2020 and January 2022. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in body mass index, age, sex, and type of comorbidities. The operative time was similar in both groups (RPSG-MA, 52.5 min vs CLSG, 52.9 min; p = 0.829). Length of hospital (1.07 days) stay was significantly shorter in the RPSG-MA group (p = 0.00) than in the CLSG group (1.51 days). There were no conversions to open surgery in any patient or any fatal event. Complications encountered were similar in both groups postoperative. There were minor adverse events directly related to the magnetic device in 3 cases, these being mild hepatic lacerations, resolved with hemostatic measures. CONCLUSION: The magnet-assisted reduced-port gastric sleeve compared to the conventional technique has proven to be safe, technically feasible and with multiple benefits.