Can staple-line reinforcement eliminate the major early postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy?

Staple line reinforcement (SLR) is widely used to reduce major complications such as bleeding and leak after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The present study aims to compare the running suture of SLR with a hybrid method by purse string suture of His angle, continuous inverted suture of proximal staple line and oversewing of distal staple line with omental coverage.

This single center retrospective study included 914 patients underwent SG. Their surgical videos were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the SLR methods, including hybrid suture and running suture. The postoperative major complications, including bleeding, leak and obstruction, were evaluated.

Among 914 patients, 384 had hybrid suture while 530 had running suture of SLR. The overall incidence of staple line bleeding and disruption was 39.2% and 4.9% after stomach transection. Hybrid suture exhibited slightly shorter SLR suture time, and required less extra suture for the hemostasis of suture site bleeding after staple line reinforcement compared to running suture. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was significantly lower after hybrid suture than after running suture (0 vs 1.3%, P = 0.02). Two patients in running suture group were complicated with postoperative leak. There was no postoperative obstruction within all patients. 1-year excessive weight loss was similar between two groups.

Despite surgical complexity, hybrid suture seemed to be able to decrease the incidence of postoperative bleeding compared to running suture. However, its role on leak and obstruction requires further clinical validation.