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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Operation in Rats
Published on: June 11, 2012
Short-term results of laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients with BMI > or = 60
David Oliak1, Garth H Ballantyne, Richard J Davies
1Department of Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, USA. daveoliak@yahoo.com
Background:
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) has been shown to be safe and effective. Little information is available about the subgroup of patients with BMI > or = 60. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LRYGBP for patients with BMI > or = 60.
Methods:
The study consisted of the first 300 attempted LRYGBPs performed by one surgeon (HJS). This population was analyzed as 2 groups of patients: those with BMI < 60 and those with BMI > or = 60. Outcome variables included mortality, complications, conversion, and operative time.
Results:
Of the first 300 LRYGBP patients, 261 had BMI < 60 and 39 had BMI > or = 60. Age, comorbidity rate, and gender distribution were similar in both BMI groups. Conversion rates were < 3% in both groups. Mean operative time for the BMI > or = 60 group was 156 minutes vs 139 minutes in the lighter group (P = 0.04). Major complications occurred more commonly in the BMI > or = 60 group (10% vs 6%) but this difference was not significant. The types of complications differed between the 2 groups, with infectious complications and gastrointestinal leak occurring more frequently in the heavier group. The mortality rate was higher in the heavier group (5% vs 0.4%, P = 0.055).
Conclusion:
LRYGBP is feasible for patients with BMI > or = 60. Our data suggest that these patients are at a higher risk for GI leak, postoperative infection, and death.
