Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in obese Korean patients: up to 4-year follow-up in a single center

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been gaining marked popularity as a stand-alone treatment for morbid obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the midterm outcomes and efficacy of LSG performed at a single center in Korea. METHODS: The records of 192 consecutive patients who underwent LSG between April 2009 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' demographics and surgical outcomes including anthropometric data were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative body mass index was 40.0 ± 7.2 kg/m(2), and 120 patients (62.5%) had at least one obesity-related comorbidity. Three patients (1.6%) required endoscopic or surgical intervention to manage postoperative bleeding or leakage. At the postoperative 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year follow-ups, the mean percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) values were 72.6%, 80.6%, 71.1%, and 57.8%, respectively, with follow-up rates of 81%, 56%, 58%, and 30% respectively. The overall mean %EWL reached 68.3% ± 27.2% at a mean follow-up of 25 months. Obesity-related comorbidities were resolved in >70% of the patients after surgery. Twelve months after LSG, 25 patients (13.0%) showed a %EWL of <50%; 9 (4.7%) required conversion to gastric bypass due to inadequate weight loss, intolerable reflux symptoms, or intractable diabetes. CONCLUSION: These midterm results show that LSG is a safe and effective surgical procedure for morbidly obese patients. However, a longer follow-up period is necessary to elucidate whether LSG can achieve durable weight loss and long-term outcomes, comparable to those of more aggressive procedures.