Tailoring limb length based on total small bowel length in one anastomosis gastric bypass surgery (TAILOR study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is being performed by an increasing number of bariatric centers over the world. However, the optimal length of the biliopancreatic (BP) limb remains a topic of discussion. Retrospective studies suggest the benefit of tailoring BP-limb length; however, randomized trials are lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate whether tailoring the length of the BP-limb based on total small bowel length (TSBL) leads to better results in terms of weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and bowel movements compared to a fixed BP-limb length. METHODS: The TAILOR study is a double-blind single-center randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled for primary OAGB surgery will be randomly allocated either to a standard BP-limb of 150 cm or to a BP-limb length based on their TSBL: TSBL < 500 cm, BP-limb 150 cm; TSBL 500–700 cm, BP-limb 180 cm; TSBL > 700 cm, BP-limb 210 cm. The primary outcome is to compare the percent total weight loss (%TWL) at 5 years between the two groups. Secondary outcomes include nutritional deficiencies, remission of comorbidities, symptoms of dumping, quality of life, and daily bowel movements. The study includes a total of 212 patients and is designed to detect a 5% difference in the primary endpoint. DISCUSSION: The TAILOR study will provide new insights into the effect of different BP-limb lengths and the role of the TSBL in the OAGB. The study is designed to provide guidance for bariatric surgeons to determine the optimal BP-limb length in the OAGB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NL7945. Prospectively registered on 08 September 2019. NTR (trialregister.nl) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06456-w.