The impact of the bougie size and the extent of antral resection on weight-loss and postoperative complications following sleeve gastrectomy: results from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry.

Background: The optimal sleeve diameter and distance from the pylorus to the edge of the resection line in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remain controversial.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of bougie size and antral resection distance from the pylorus on postoperative complications and weight-loss results in LSG.

Setting: Nationwide registry-based study.

Methods: This study included all LSGs performed in Sweden between 2012 and 2019. Data were obtained from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Reference bougie size of 35-36 Fr and an antral resection distance of 5 cm from the pylorus were compared to narrower bougie size (30-32 Fr), shorter distances (1-4 cm), and extended distances (6-8 cm) from the pylorus in assessing postoperative complications and weight loss as the outcomes of LSG.

Results: The study included 9,360 patients with postoperative follow-up rates of 96%, 79%, and 50% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Narrow bougie and short antral resection distance from the pylorus were significantly associated with increased postoperative weight loss. Bougie size was not associated with increased early or late complications. However, short antral resection distance was associated with high risk of overall early complications [odds ratio: 1.46 (1.17-1.82, P = .001)], although no impact on late complications at 1 and 2 years was observed.

Conclusions: Using a narrow bougie and initiating resection closer to the pylorus were associated with greater maximum weight loss. Although a closer resection to the pylorus was associated with an increased risk of early postoperative complications, no association was observed with the use of narrow bougie for LSG.