Effective elements for the standardization of sleeve gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Morbid obesity is one of the most common health-care issues in our present day. Various surgical methods were developed to combat obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common surgical treatment in the world and our country. In the present study, the purpose was to share the 6-year results of bariatric surgeries performed in our center.
METHODS: The retrospective records of the patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2015 and 2021 were examined, and demographic data, indications for surgery, preparation for surgery, surgical technique, post-operative follow-up steps, post-operative complications, recovery rates of comorbid diseases, and the changes in post-operative biochemical parameters were evaluated.
RESULTS: A total of 457 patients underwent LSG over 6 years. The median age of the patients was 34.3 years (13–68) and the median body mass index was 43.74 (35.60–66.72) kg/m2. Among the patients, 261 (57.1%) were female and 196 (42.9%) were male. The mean surgery time was 58 (32–88) min. Improvements were detected in 91.6% of patients with pre-operative hypertension, in 87.3% of patients with diabetes, 91.6% of patients with sleep apnea, and 84.3% of patients with hyperlipidemia. Iron deficiency anemia was detected in 11 (2.4%) of the patients as a biochemical abnormality in the post-operative follow-ups, the folic acid deficiency was detected in 3 (0.7%) patients, Vitamin D deficiency in 6 patients (1.31%), and Vitamin B12 deficiency in 5 patients (1.1%).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: LSG is a safe method in the treatment of obesity facilitating weight loss and regressing comorbidities accompanying obesity. Although the decrease in biochemical parameters in the long-term followup is a disadvantage, it can be treated with replacement therapy.