One anastomosis gastric bypass vs. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a 5-year follow-up prospective randomized trial

Background: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a relatively novel technique with excellent outcomes, comparable to most accepted procedures. Our aim was to compare OAGB and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in terms of percent of excess weight lost (%EWL) and resolution of comorbidities.

Methods: Thirty-three patients were randomly assigned (1:2) to two groups (OAGB = 9 and RYGB = 24). Patients were analyzed prospectively.

Results: The 5-year follow-up was 85% (28 patients). Both groups were comparable preoperatively in age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and excess weight. One intraoperative complication in OAGB group and no major postoperative complications for both groups were recorded. Progressive decrease in weight, BMI, and %EWL was observed at 1, 6, 12 months, and 5 years, with no differences between groups. Regarding comorbidities, we registered complete remission in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia with OAGB. RYGB group reported complete remission in T2DM, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mean operative time were 113.3 min ± 41.2 and 143.7 min ± 21.85 for OAGB and RYGB respectively. Mean number of reloads used was 5 for OAGB and 7 for RYGB, which demands further investigations. Postoperative pain was significantly higher in RYGB group. Hospital stay was 3 days for both groups.

Conclusion: At 5-year follow-up, patients of both techniques achieved similar outcomes in terms of %EWL and resolution of comorbidities, without early or mid-term major complications and no mortality. OAGB demonstrated less use of surgical stapling and unexplainably less postoperative pain compared to RYGB.