Mid-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Gastric Greater Curvature Plication versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Weight Loss, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Health-Related Quality of Life

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication (LGGCP) is considered to be less invasive, technically simpler, and less costly. Few studies have compared LGGCP to gastric bypass. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of LGGCP such as weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in comparison to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Materials and Methods: Between 2017 April and 2018 December, 112 patients were included in the study. Fifty patients had LGGCP, and sixty-two patients underwent LRYGB. Demographics, comorbidities, complications, percentage of excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL), gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS questionnaire), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L questionnaire) were analysed. Gastrointestinal symptoms and HRQoL data are presented as the mean and median with the interquartile range (25th–75th percentile). Follow-up at 1 year and 3 year was performed. Results: The follow-up rate was 96.4% and 92.9%, 1 year and 3 year after surgery, respectively. Mean (SD) %EBMIL 1 year after surgery was 59.05 (25.34) in the LGGCP group and 82.40 (19.03) in the LRYGB group (p < 0.001) and 3 year after was 41.44 (26.74) and 75.59 (19.14), respectively (p < 0.001). The scores of all gastrointestinal symptoms measured by the GSRS questionnaire significantly decreased 3 year after both procedures, except reflux after LGGCP. Patients 3 year after LGGCP had a significantly lower abdominal pain score as compared to patients after LRYGB (1.01; 1.0 (1.0–1.0) and 1.20; 1.0 (1.0–1.33), respectively (p < 0.001); however, LGGCP resulted in significantly more GERD symptoms (1.79; 1.25 (1.0–2.5) and 1.18; 1.0 (1.0–1.0), respectively (p < 0.001)). Three years after surgery, the quality of life was significantly lower in the LGGCP group (0.762; 0.779 (0.690–0.794) and 0.898; 1.000 (0.783–1.000), respectively (p < 0.001)). Conclusions: Three years after surgery, LGGCP patients lost significantly less weight, had less abdominal pain and more reflux symptoms, and a lower quality of life as compared to LRYGB patients.