Outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy in super-super-obese patients (BMI ≥60 kg/m²): 6-year follow-up at a single university

Background: Among the population of morbidly obese people, super-super-obese (SSO) individuals (body mass index >60 kg/m²) present a treatment challenge for bariatric surgeons.

Objectives: To compare the long-term outcomes between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and to evaluate the efficacy of SG as a stand-alone bariatric procedure for SSO patients.

Setting: University hospital, Paris, France.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data outcomes of 210 SSO patients who underwent SG or RYGB between January 2000 and December 2011. The 6-year follow-up data were analyzed and compared.

Results: Follow-up data at 6 years were collected for 57.1% and 52.1% of patients in the SG group and RYGB groups, respectively. Both procedures were effective at promoting weight loss. Most weight loss was achieved at 24 months with both procedures. The average percent excess weight loss and change in body mass index of SG versus RYGB showed no significant differences at the 4-year follow-up. Except for sleep apnea, RYGB showed slightly better resolution of the evaluated co-morbidities. The composite endpoint of major short-term adverse events (<30 d) occurred in 11.7% of patients with RYGB and 6.4% of those with SG (P = .02). Postoperative complications were seen in 26% of RYGB patients and 16.1% of SG patients.

Conclusions: SG as a primary procedure for SSO patients remains effective even though RYGB achieves better midterm outcomes. SG can be proposed as the primary-option p+rocedure. Further investigations are needed to identify the ideal procedure for patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.