Long alimentary limb duodenal switch (LADS): a short-term prospective randomized trial

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is one of the most effective bariatric surgeries, in terms of weight loss and remission of co-morbidities. It is however associated with a significant risk of protein and nutritional deficiency, as well as gastrointestinal side effects.

To assess the effect of increasing the strict alimentary limb on weight loss, nutritional deficiency and quality of life, compared with standard BPD-DS.

University-affiliated tertiary care center.

Prospective randomized double blind (patient-evaluator) trial in which patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo a modified BPD-DS with a long alimentary limb (1 m from Treitz ligament, n = 10) or a standard biliopancreatic diversion (strict alimentary limb of 1.5 m, n = 10). Common channel was kept at 100 cm in both groups. Follow-up at 12 months was completed in all patients.

Initial weight (126 ± 10 versus 125 ± 17, P = .92), age (40 ± 7 versus 37 ± 8, P = .35), and sex ratio (1 female/9 males) were similar in both groups. Excess weight loss and total weight loss were significantly higher in the standard BPD-DS group (93.4 ± 12% versus 73.3 ± 7%, P = .0007 and 46 ± 5.6% versus 37 ± 3.4%, P = .0004). The study group had significantly higher vitamin D, manganese, and copper levels at 12 months. Both groups had similar drop in glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol levels, and resolution of co-morbidities at 12 months. Long alimentary limb was associated with significantly less bowel movements a day (1.6 ± .97 versus 2.55 ± 1.01, P = .01), less gastrointestinal side effects (bloating and gas, P<.05) and required less pancreatic enzymes supplements (0 versus 40%, P = .04) and calcium supplement. Quality of life was significantly improved in both groups in all domains (all P<.05).

At 12 months, weight loss was lesser in the long alimentary limb group. There was however no difference in the remission of co-morbidities and higher levels of vitamin D, manganese, and copper. Gastrointestinal adverse effects and the need for pancreatic enzymes were less with similarly excellent quality of life at 12 months. Longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate long-term weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.