Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether longer limb length improved results of gastric bypass in patients who were morbidly obese (body mass index <50 kg/m2) or superobese (body mass index >50 kg/m2). A total of 242 patients were followed for a mean of 5.5 years. The standard operation was a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a 40 cm Roux limb and a 10 cm afferent limb. The long-limb operation had a 100 cm Roux limb and a 100 cm afferent limb. Morbidly obese patients did not benefit from a long-limb bypass. The final body mass index was 28.6 ±4.7 kg/m2 in the short-limb group and 28.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2 in the long-limb group. The superobese patients did benefit from a long-limb bypass. Final body mass index was 35.8 ±6.7 kg/m2 in the short-limb patients and 32.7 ±5.1 in the long-limb patients (P = 0.049). A subgroup of 20 patients, all of whom had a body mass index greater than 60 kg/m2, benefited the most from long-limb bypass. No macronutritional side effects unique to the long-limb bypass were encountered.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
MacLean LD, Rhode BM, Nohr CW. Late outcome of isolated gastric bypass. Ann Surg 2000;231:524–528.
Mason EE, Doherty C, Mamer JW, Scott DH, Rodriguez EM, Blommers TJ. Super obesity and gastric reduction procedures. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1987;16:495–502.
MacLean LD, Rhode BM, Sampalis JS, Forse RA. Results of the surgical treatment of obesity. Am J Surg 1993;165:155–162.
Reinhold RB. Critical analyses of long-term weight loss following gastric bypass. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1982;155:385–394.
Bryant HJ. Observations upon the growth and length of the human intestine. Am J Med Sci 1924;167:499–520.
Underhill BML. Intestinal length in man. Br Med J 1955;2:1243–1246.
Brolin RE, Kenler HA, Gorman JH, Cody RP. Long-limb gastric bypass in the superobese. Ann Surg 1992;215:387–395.
Freeman JB, Kotlarewsky M, Phoenix C. Weight loss after extended gastric bypass. Obesity Surg 1997;7:337–344.
Murr MM, Balsiger BM, Kennedy FP, Mai JL, Sarr MG. Malabsorptive procedures for severe obesity: Comparison of pancreaticobiliary bypass and very very long limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. J GASTROINTEST Surg 1999;3:607–612.
Sugerman HJ, Kelluin JM, DeMaria EJ. Conversion of proximal to distal gastric bypass for failed gastric bypass for superobesity. J Gastrointest Surg 1997;l:517–525.
Shizgal HM, Forse RA, Spanier AH, MacLean LD. Protein malnutrition following intestinal hypass for morbid obesity. Surgery 1979;86:60–69.
Brolin RE, Gorman JH, Gorman RC, Petichenik AJ, Bradley LJ, Kenler HA, Cody RP. Are vitamin B12 and folate deficiency clinically important after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass? J Gastrointest Surg 1998;2:436–442.
Gurewitsch ED, Smith-Levitin M, Mack J. Pregnancy following gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Obstet Gynecol 1996;88:6S8–661.
Tovey FI, Godfrey JE, Lewin MR. A gastrectomy population: 25–30 years on. Postgrad Med J 1990;66:450–456.
Rhode BM, Shustik C, Christou NV, MacLean LD. Iron absorption and therapy after gastric bypass. Obesity Surg 1999;9:17–21.
Rhode BM, Arseneau P, Cooper BA, Katz M, Gilfix BM, MacLean LD. Vitamin B-12 deficiency after gastric surgery for obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;63:103–109.
Mason EE. Bone disease from duodenal exclusion. Obesity Surg 2000;10:585–586.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MacLean, L.D., Rhode, B.M. & Nohr, C.W. Long-or short-limb gastric bypass?. J Gastrointest Surg 5, 525–530 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1091-255X(01)80091-3
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1091-255X(01)80091-3