RESULTS OF 50 CONSECUTIVE TOTAL LAPAROSCOPIC ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASSES TO TREAT MORBID OBESITY

Aim: Study of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for treatment of morbid obesity. Methods: Total laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was attempted in 50 consecutive patients. Procedures included only proximal antecolic antegastric bypasses the gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy were primarily constructed using linear stapling techniques. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.7 years (range 21-47) and 60% were female. The mean preoperative body mass index was 53.3 kg/ml. The operative time ranged from 160 to 220 minutes (average 192.4 + 18.8). Postoperative length of stay averaged 6.6 + 5.6days (range 3-25). Three patients required conversion to an open procedure (1.5%). Complications included three (1.5%) major wound infections (each followed a reoperation for a complication or open conversion), Bleeding in one patient required reoperation while two cases of bleeding were managed conservatively, and anastomotic leak with peritonitis in 5 patients (2.5%). One case underwent endoscopic dilatation for stomal stenosis. Weight loss at one year was 62.3% of excess weight. Most co-morbid conditions resolved by 1 year after surgery. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastric bypass demonstrates excellent weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities with a low complication rate