Sleeve Gastrectomy: Procedure, Outcomes, and Complications

Abstract

Over 300 million adults are considered clinically obese worldwide. Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and sleep apnea. Bariatric surgery, as part of a comprehensive weight management strategy, has been shown to produce marked weight loss and improvement of comorbidities. While laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was initially introduced as the first procedure in a two-staged approach for high-risk super-obese patients, it has emerged as an important stand-alone surgical option. LSG is typically classified as a primarily restrictive procedure; however, recent evidence suggests that it performs better than other restrictive procedures, in terms of weight loss and T2DM remission. The procedure involves creation of a gastric tube with an approximate capacity of 60 to 100 mL. In this review, we explore LSG as a technical procedure, its efficacy in obese patients, and potential complications that may arise. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.