Ten-Year Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Retrospectively Designed Study of a Single Tertiary Center

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most popular bariatric surgery. Nonetheless, only a few studies have reported its long-term outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate changes in weight and body mass index (BMI) parameters, resolution of comorbidities, and frequency of re-operations in a follow-up period of at least 10 years.

Data was available from 180 patients’ records who underwent SG between 2008 and 2011 in the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Eighty patients agreed to partake in a follow-up assessment that was completed via a phone call questionnaire and hospital computed registry.

Patients’ mean preoperative BMI was 43.86 ± 6.36 kg/m² which was significantly higher when compared to mean nadir BMI and last follow-up BMI (29.44 ± 7.12 and 36.34 ± 9.7; p < 0.001). Mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) at 10 years was 42.65 ± 36.02% and mean percentage of total weight loss was 19.33 ± 16.73%. Twenty-eight patients (35%) maintained at least 50% EWL. Twenty-seven (33.75%) patients underwent at least one surgical procedure following SG. Eleven patients (13.75%) underwent a conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and six patients (7.5%) underwent conversion to one anastomosis gastric bypass. Resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia occurred in 47%, 43.7%, and 48.4%, respectively. De-novo cases of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) were present in 40%.

SG shows high long-term failure rates. One of every three patients will undergo another surgical procedure within a 10-year period.