Role of laparoscopic sleeve as an initial operation for super obese patients

Background Obesity is recognized widely as an epidemic disorder, and morbid obesity is the most dangerous among all types of obesity. In past years, sleeve gastrectomy has evolved as a single-stage procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity, but still super obese patients (BMI >50–60) have high risks of being operated on (anesthesia and postoperative risks).Objective The aim was to investigate the initial weight loss (6 months postoperatively) in super obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Patients and methods A prospective study included 20 patients. All patients underwent LSG as an initial and solitary bariatric procedure over a 12-month period in Kasr Alaini, Benha University, and Ahmed Maher teaching hospitals during the period from October 2016 till September 2017.Results We identified 20 patients who underwent LSG as a primary weight loss procedure and met the inclusion criteria during the study period. Mean age at the time of LSG was 36.68±12.17 years (range: 18–58 years), and most patients were female [N=15 (75.0%)]. At the time of LSG, mean weight was 142.4±15.02 (range: 115–173), mean height was 162.4±8.58 (range: 148–185), and so mean BMI was 53.26±2.93 (range: 50–59). After a median follow-up of 6 months, overall percentage total weight loss was 41.61±11.31% (24–59.39), with a decrease in mean BMI from 53.26±2.93 preoperatively to 31.44±5.99 at the end of the study.Conclusion According to the benefits shown through weight loss and the minimum complications, our data along with previous studies strongly support the use of LSG among super obese patients as a first and standalone operation, as it is a safe and feasible option.