Stapleless Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Relatively New Approach in Bariatric Surgery

Excerpt

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been established as an effective procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity gaining popularity over the last decade as an effective single procedure of bariatric surgery [1]. The cost incurred however has been of major concern as the stapler power gun and staple materials are expensive. Hence, the need arose for stapleless bariatric surgery. Jacques Himpens of Belgium pioneered stapleless bariatric surgery by performing a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) utilizing the LigaSure Atlas (LSA) and over sewing the wound edges with non-absorbable synthetic sutures. He used this stapleless technique for 10 patients as laparoscopic procedures, such as duodenal switch, sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The operating time was not significantly lengthened, and no ill effects were recorded [2]. …