Long-term outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy in a patient group with mainly high BMI: a single-center study

Since long-term results after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are rather scarce, this study aims to add LSG results with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. Prospectively collected data from primary LSG in a tertiary bariatric center from 08/2007 to 12/2018 with follow-up ≥ 5 years were analyzed retrospectively. Primary endpoints included total body weight loss (%TBWL) and excess weight loss (%EWL), insufficient weight loss (IWL), weight regain (WR), remission of associated diseases, development of new-onset gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, the study focused on incidence, time point, and causes of conversion and revision operations. A total of 207 LSG (132 female, mean age 43 (± 10.7) years) entered this study. 33.3% (52 of 156 without conversion) were lost to follow-up for ≥ 5-year data. Perioperative mortality was 0.5% (n = 1). %TBWL was 27.1% (± 12.4) and %EWL 52.5% (± 24.3). IWL or WR was found in 48.8%, new-onset GERD occurred in 27.5% of cases, leading to conversion in 26.6% and revisions in 2%. Nutritional deficiencies were observed in 23.7%, while resolution of associated diseases was sufficient. This patient group with a mean BMI > 50 kg/m² at baseline showed fair results regarding weight loss issues and remission of associated diseases at ≥ 5 years postoperatively. Yet, a rate of 48.8% of either IWL and/or WR and 27.5% of new-onset GERD required conversion and revision operations in 28.6%. To better learn about long-term results of LSG, further studies preferably with larger multicenter samples and comparisons with alternative primary procedures, preferably in a prospectively randomized approach, possibly with focus on high BMI patients, are required.