Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a multi-purpose bariatric operation.

Background: The use of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a restrictive operation, in different settings, is presented.

Methods: 31 patients underwent LSG in the following groups: 1) 7 patients with very high BMI as a first stage of the duodenal switch (DS); 2) 7 morbidly obese patients with severe medical conditions; 3) 16 obese patients with lower BMI (35-43); and 4) 1 patient converted from a prior gastric banding.

Results: 1 patient with BMI 74 died, a 3.2% mortality. The percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) in group 1 above was 63.1% from 4-27 months. The %EBMIL of the cirrhotics in group 2 was 76.0% (69-100%). The %EBMIL in group 3 patients was 68.5% (58.3-123%) at 3-27 months. The %EBMIL of the group 4 patient is 13% because she had previously lost almost all of her EBMI.

Conclusion: LSG may become the ideal operation for staging in patients with BMI >55, for treating morbidly obese patients with severe medical conditions, as an excellent alternative to adjustable bands in lower BMI patients, or for conversion of gastric banding patients.