Laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass: experience with tailored bypass limb according to body weight

Gastric bypass surgery is an effective and long-lasting treatment of morbidly obese patients. However, the bypass limb may need to be tailored in morbidly obese patients with a wide range of obesity. The aim of the present study was to report clinical result of tailored bypass limb in a group of patients receiving laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass surgery.

From Jan 2002 to Dec 2006, laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass was performed in 644 patients [469 women, 175 men: mean age 30.5 +/- 8.1 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 43.1 +/- 6.0] in our department. The gastric bypass limb was tailored according to the preoperative BMI. The clinical data and outcomes were analyzed. All the clinical data were prospectively collected and stored.

Two hundred eighty-six patients belonged to lower BMI (BMI < 40; mean 36.0), 286 patients moderate BMI (BMI 40-50; mean 43.2), and 72 patients higher BMI (BMI > 50; mean 55.4). All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Mean operative time was 130 min, and mean hospital stay was 5.0 days. Twenty-three minor early complications (4.3%) and 13 major complications (2.0%) were encountered, with one death occurred (0.016%). There was no significant difference in operation time and complication rate between the groups. The mean bypass limb was 150 cm for the lower BMI group, 250 cm for moderate BMI group, and 350 cm for the higher BMI group. The mean BMI reduction 2 years after surgery was 10.7, 15.5, and 23.3 for the lower, moderate, and higher BMI group. The weight loss curves and resolution of obesity related comorbidities were compatible with the tailored bypass limbs between the groups. However, the lower BMI patients had more severe anemia than the other two groups.

Morbidly obese patients receiving gastric bypass surgery may need to tailor the bypass limb according to BMI. The application of gastric bypass in lower BMI patients should be more carefully.