Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Gastric Plication for Treatment of Morbid Obesity: a Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) has been mentioned in many studies, its practice has not yet been standardized. In addition, the outcomes remain conflicting, especially long-term ones. This study was conducted to elucidate the long-term consequences of LGP. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with obesity underwent LGP at our institution between March 2010 and September 2014. Data were prospectively collected from our database. RESULTS: Of the 88 consecutive patients in the study period between 2010 and 2014, follow-up data out to 6 years was available in 60 LGP patients (68.18%). The mean age of the included patients was 41.3 ± 10 years. A total of 81.7% were females. We observed a significant BMI reduction out to 2 years (p < 0.001), a plateau at 3 and 4 years, and a significant BMI increase at 6 years (p < 0.01). %TWL at 2 years was 21.14% and 12.08% at 6 years. Weight regain was observed in 35 patients at 6 years to reach a rate of 58.3%. Predictors for weight regain at 6 years were disrupted plication fold, increased hunger, and non-adherence to regular exercise. The diabetes improvement rate was 66.6% at 6 years. There were 14 re-operations (23.3%): 1 emergency (1.6%) and 13 (21.6%) elective. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: At the 6-year follow-up visit, LGP has a much less durable effect on weight loss with a % EWL of 32% and a weight regain of 58.3% resulting in a high rate of revisions. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]