Abstract
Background
Advanced age is considered a relative contraindication to bariatric surgery at some institutions because of concerns about higher morbidity and less than optimal weight loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the operative outcomes, length of stay, weight loss, and improvement of comorbidities in patients ≥55 years old who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery in our institution.
Methods
Retrospective data on 33 patients (26 women and 7 men) ≥55 years of age who underwent LRYGB from January 2003 to December 2006 were reviewed.
Results
Average patient age was 59 years (range 55–68 years), and the mean preoperative body mass index was 47 kg/m2 (range 41.1–55.8 kg/m2). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days. There were no intraoperative or postoperative deaths. Early complications were one anastomotic leak, two upper gastrointestinal bleedings, and two readmissions for intractable vomiting. Late complications included four anastomotic strictures and one small bowel obstruction. Patients were followed for a mean 13 months (range 3–24 months). The mean excess body weight (EBW) loss was 13.5 kg (23%), 23.3 kg (39.8%), 33.3 kg (58.1%), 39.8 kg (66.8%), 40.1 kg (69.5%), and 40.8 kg (75.3%) at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Diabetes mellitus improved in 19 (100%) patients and completely resolved in 10 (53%). Hypertension improved in 18 (64%) patients, completely resolved in 9 (32%) and was unchanged in 10 (36%).
Conclusions
LRYGB is safe and effective in morbidly obese patients ≥55 years of age.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
National Institute of Health. Health implications of obesity. National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:1073–8.
Mokdad AH, Ford ES, Bowman BA. Prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity-related health risk factors. JAMA 2001;289:76–9.
Printen KJ, Mason EE. Gastric bypass for morbid obesity in patients more than 50 years of age. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1977;144:192–4.
Papasavas PK, Gagne DJ, Kelly J, Caushaj PF. Laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass is a safe and effective operation for the treatment of morbid obesity in patients older than 55 years. Obes Surg. 2004;14:1056–61.
Dolores Frutos M, Lujan J, Hernandez Q, Valero G, Parrilla P. Results of laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients >55 years old. Obes Surg. 2006;16:461–4.
Hazzan D, Chin EH, Steinhagen E, Kini S, Gagner M, Pomp A, et al. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery can be safe for treatment of morbid obesity in patients older than 60 years. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2006;2:613–6.
Sosa JL, Pompo H, Pallavicini H, Ruiz-Rodriguez M. Laparoscopic gastric bypass beyond age 60. Obes Surg. 2004;14:1398–401.
Wittgrove A, Clark G, Shubert K. Laparoscopic gastric bypass Roux-en-Y: technique and result in 75 patients with 3–30 months follow-up. Obes Surg. 1996;6:500–4.
Nguyen NT, Stevens CM, Wolfe BM. Incidence and outcome of anastomotic stricture after laparoscopic gastric bypass. J Gastrointest Surg. 2003;7:997–1003.
Gonzalez R, Lin E, Mattar SG, Venkatesh KR, Smith CD. Gastric bypass for morbid obesity in patients 50 years or older: is laparoscopic technique safer? Am Surg. 2003;69:547–53.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fazylov, R., Soto, E. & Merola, S. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Morbidly Obese Patients ≥55 Years Old. OBES SURG 18, 656–659 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9364-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9364-z