Pathologic findings of the removed stomach during sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the preferred surgical intervention to treat morbid obesity. Despite the rising popularity of LSG, little is known on the histopathologic findings of the resected partial stomach specimens. Our study aims to identify prevalent pathologic findings of the removed stomach and explore the association between patient characteristics and abnormal findings.

A retrospective analysis was conducted using a prospectively maintained database of 649 patients who underwent LSG between November 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 at our institution. Patient characteristics included age, body mass index, gender, and preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, gastroesophageal reflux, hypertension, and sleep apnea). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models.

Abnormal pathologic findings were identified in approximately one-fifth (n = 142, 21.9%) of the patients. The most common find is non-specific chronic gastritis (9.7%), followed by Helicobacter pylori gastritis (4.9%). Approximately 15% of patients had significant histopathological alterations that might require further investigation, treatment, or follow-up, including non-specific chronic gastritis, H. pylori gastritis, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The odds of abnormal findings in patients without hyperlipidemia was 0.09 times the corresponding odds in those with hyperlipidemia (95% CI 0.03–0.29), controlling for factors including age, body mass index, gender, and other preoperative comorbidities.

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux and hyperlipidemia might suggest higher incidence rate of gastric histopathologic abnormalities. Routine preoperative screening may not be beneficial for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy.