Laparoscopic gastric bypass versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A retrospective multicenter comparison between early and long-term post-operative outcomes

Background Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are the most commonly performed procedures for morbid obesity. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing LRYGB or LSG between August 2000 and November 2014. Results Data from 581 (280 LSG and 301 LRYGB) were gathered. Operating time (77.6 vs 250.5 min; p < 0.001), post-operative complication rate (3.9% vs 11.6%; p < 0.001), overall occlusions (p = 0.004), need for re-intervention (p < 0.001), hospital stay (5.7 vs 9.2 days; p < 0.001) and mean 1-year EWL (49% vs 61%; p = 0.001) resulted statistically significant lower in LSGs compared with LRYGBs. Not statistically significant differences were found about leakage, bleeding requiring transfusion, infections, short-term mortality and mean 2- and 3-years EWL. Upon univariate analysis, basal weight, basal BMI, age and gender were not associated with the rate of re-intervention and with the combination of re-intervention or death. Conclusions LRYGB resulted associated with higher post-operative morbidity rate and increased 1-year EWL than LSG. Prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of these two surgical procedures on the long-term weigh loss.