Laparoscopic vs Open Gastric Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Objective To compare outcomes, quality of life (QOL), and costs of laparoscopic and open gastric bypass (GBP). Summary Background Data Laparoscopic GBP has been reported to be a safe and effective approach for the treatment of morbid obesity. The authors per-formed a prospective randomized trial to compare outcomes, QOL, and costs of laparoscopic GBP with those of open GBP. Methods From May 1999 to March 2001, 155 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 to 60 kg/m 2 were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic (n ϭ 79) or open (n ϭ 76) GBP. The two groups were similar in age, sex ratio, mean BMI, and co-morbidities. Main outcome measures included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, operative com-plications, percentage of excess body weight loss, and time to return to activities of daily living and work. Changes in QOL were assessed using the SF-36 Health Survey and the bariat-ric analysis of reporting outcome system (BAROS). Operative and hospital costs of the two operations were also compared.