Laparoscopic duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy: preliminary results of a prospective series from India

Bariatric surgeries are now redefined as metabolic surgeries given the excellent resolution of metabolic derangements accompanying obesity. Duodenojejunal bypass (DJB) is a novel metabolic surgery based on foregut hypothesis. Reports describe DJB as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of diabetes in nonobese subjects. For obese subjects, DJB is combined with sleeve gastrectomy. This combination of DJB and sleeve gastrectomy is proposed as an ideal alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with these advantages: (1) easy postoperative endoscopic surveillance, (2) preservation of the pyloric mechanism, which prevents dumping syndrome, and (3) reduced alimentary limb tension. This study aimed to analyze the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy for morbidly obese patients.

At our institution, 38 patients who underwent laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy were followed up. The inclusion criteria for the study were according to the Asian Pacific Bariatric Surgery Society guidelines. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed over a 36-Fr bougie, with the first part of the duodenum mobilized and transected. The jejunum was divided 50 cm distal to duodenojejunal flexure. A 75- to 150-cm alimentary limb was fashioned and brought in a retrocolic manner. End-to-end hand-sewn duodenojejunostomy was performed. Intestinal continuity was restored with a stapled jejunojejunostomy, and mesenteric rents were closed.

The study population consisted of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women) ranging in age from 31 to 48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 17 months, the excess body weight loss was 72%, with a 92% resolution of diabetes. One patient presented with internal herniation through the retrocolic window 1 month after the operation and was managed surgically without any complication. No other minor or major complications occurred, and there was no mortality.

Laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective in achieving durable weight loss and excellent resolution of comorbidities. Long-term follow-up studies are needed.