Equivocal Results for Sleeve Gastrectomy

28 May 2009 - Equivocal results from a large German multi-centre trial published today have failed to substantiate a role for Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) in Bariatric Surgery. The study, published in the May edition of Obesity Surgery by the German Bariatric Surgery Working Group, recruited 144 SG patients in 17 hospitals over a 2 year period.

The risk of leakage from the staple line was 7%, and the mortality rate was 1.4% (Ed: compared with 0.05% for LapBand). The overall complication rate was 14%. In light of the (high) complication rate, the authors question the role for SG as a primary restrictive bariatric surgery operation. The authors concluded that "prospective, multicenter trials are necessary to reduce the complication rate and evaluate the position of SG in the bariatric algorithm".

Results of Sleeve Gastrectomy - Data from a Nationwide Survey on Bariatric Surgery in Germany. Stroh C et al. Obesity Surgery 2009 Vol 19 No 5 p 632.

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