Short-Term Outcomes of Two Laparoscopic Bariatric Procedures
Theerapol Angkoolpakdeekul MD*, Kasidin Vitoopinyopaab MD*, Panuwat Lertsithichai MD*
Affiliation : *Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To compare the short term outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-Y gastric bypass (lap RYGB) and laparoscopic gastric
banding (lap banding) for morbidly obese patients at a tertiary care hospital.
Material and Method: Medical records of patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery for morbid obesity
between November 2003 and November 2008 were reviewed. Baseline data including demographics, anthropometric and
biochemical measurements were recorded. Patients were followed postoperatively and the body weight was measured every
three to six months. Follow-up biochemical measurements were also recorded. After approximately six months to one year
after the initial operation, the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) scores were obtained, and
re-evaluated every six months.
Results : There were 65 patients in the series, 31 underwent lap banding and 34 lap RYGB. There were 28 men (43%) and 37
women (57%), with an average age of 31.7 years (SD, 10.5 years). Patients were followed postoperatively for a period
between six months and three years. The expected weight loss was 6% greater on the average for the lap RYGB group during
the first two years of follow-up. Biochemical outcomes tended to marginally favor the lap RYGB group. There was no clear
difference between groups in terms of the BAROS scores.
Conclusion : Short- term differences between the two laparoscopic operations for morbid obesity tended to marginally favor
lap RYGB. However, the BAROS scores were not clearly different between the two groups. These differences seemed to
attenuate with time. The effects of the two operations were similar after two years.
Keywords : Morbid obesity, Laparoscopic, Bariatric surgery
