Enhanced Total Weight Loss 2 Years Post-Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with Longer Biliopancreatic Limb

Despite widespread use of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), there are no standardized limb lengths in the United States.

A multi-center retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2020 to 2023. Eligible patients who had undergone RYGB were divided into subgroups based on BP limb lengths: short (50-75 cm), intermediate (80-125 cm), and long (150-175 cm). Primary outcomes were total weight loss (TWL) and % TWL at 1 and 2 years. Secondary outcomes were post-operative BMI and % BMI change at 1 and 2 years, micronutrient deficiencies, hypothyroidism, acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring treatment, and remission in associated medical problems. Subgroups were compared using multivariate analysis.

Two hundred twenty-eight patients received a long BP limb, 194 patients received an intermediate BP limb, while 152 patients received a short BP limb. Primary outcomes TWL and % TWL were significantly different between the groups at 1 year: TWL and % TWL were greater in patients with long BP limbs. The difference between the long and short BP limb groups increased at the 2-year mark. Patients who had long BP limbs had higher rates of DM remission (12.3% vs 11.9% 6.6%), HTN (8.8% vs 5.7% vs 7.9%), GERD symptoms (14.5% vs 9.8% vs 5.3%), and OSA (8.8% vs 7.7% vs 5.3%). Vitamin A deficiency rates were higher in the long BP limb group.

The results suggest that longer BP limb lengths are conducive to TWL and overall treatment of obesity-related problems without severe rates of complications. Additional longer longitudinal studies are needed to assess the impact of long BP limbs on nutrition and weight loss in the long term.