Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: early outcome in 140 patients.

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication (LGGCP) is a novel bariatric procedure. Its outcome as a standalone procedure has been studied in the literature. We herein describe a comparative study between LGGCP versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The objective of this study was to analyze %excess weight loss (%EWL), co-morbidity improvement and complication rate in both groups at 1, 3, 6, 12 months follow-up.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 140 patients undergoing LGGCP and LSG between July 2011 and March 2012 at University of Alexandria, Egypt. Data on patient demography, operative time, length of stay, body mass index (BMI) were collected.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups, except for preoperative BMI that was higher among the LSG group. Follow up rate was 98% (n = LGCCP: 68 - LSG: 69) at 6 months and 81% (n = LGGCP: 54 - LSG: 60) at 1 year. The mean operative time and mean length of stay were longer in the LSG group (P = .03) and (P = .02), respectively. There were 4 (6.5%) readmissions and 2 (3.2%) reoperations in the LGGCP group compared to 3 (3.8%) readmission and 2 (2.6%) reoperations in the LSG group. At 6 months follow-up the mean %EWL for LGGCP and LSG was 40.4±11.9% and 47.1±13.9% (P<.001), while at 1 year it was 52.1±15.1% and 68.1±15.8% (P<.001), respectively. Both techniques showed similar results in co-morbidity improvement at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

In the short term, both techniques were comparable as regards to co-morbidity resolution. However, LSG appears to have achieved a higher weight loss.