Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity: a 1:1 matched cohort study in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVES: This 1:1 matched cohort study with 3-year follow-up aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of LSG with LRYGB for morbid obesity patients. METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, patients undergoing LRYGB (n = 63) were matched with LSG (n = 63) by gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). Major complications, BMI, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and obesity-related comorbidities after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were compared. RESULTS: Hospital stay and major complication rates were comparable, but operative time in LSG was significantly shorter (83.2 ± 23.7 vs. 108.3 ± 21.3 min). No significant differences in mean %EWL and BMI were observed at 6, 12, 24 months. At 3-year follow-up, mean %EWL in the LRYGB group was significantly higher than in the LSG group (76.5 ± 9.2% vs. 65.7 ± 10.3%) and, consequently, mean BMI was significantly lower in LRYGB (28.2 ± 1.5 vs. 30.9 ± 2.4 kg/m2). No significant differences in remission of comorbidities were observed at 1- or 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Both LRYGB and LSG were safe and effective bariatric procedures in this Chinese population, but LRYGB seemed to be superior to LSG in terms of mid-term weight loss.