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Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbidly Obese Chinese Patients: Learning Curve, Advocacy and Complications

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Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) involves a combination of both restrictive and mal-absorptive mechanisms and has become the procedure of choice for patients with morbid obesity in Western countries. However, its efficacy remains uncertain in Asian populations. We report our pilot experience with LRYGB in a Chinese population.

Methods

Between August 2005 and February 2007, 100 morbidly obese patients received LRYGB. We evaluated the learning curve for the operation, its efficacy in weight reduction, and its postoperative complications.

Results

Surgical time reached a plateau after about 50 cases, decreasing from 216 min for the initial 50 patients to 105 min for the final 50. The conversion rate from laparoscopic to open surgery was 2%. The mean percent body mass index loss was 33.9% after 12 months. Twenty-four complications occurred in 18 patients, but most resolved with conservative treatment without mortality. Patients with advanced age (P = 0.04) or hypertension (P = 0.03) were at increased risk for complications leading to prolonged surgical times and hospital stays. The complication rate declined as technical expertise increased.

Conclusion

In Chinese patients with morbid obesity, LRYGB is promising procedure because of its acceptable learning curve, good efficacy, and low complication rate.

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Acknowledgment

This study benefited from statistical analysis conducted in the Biostatistics Laboratory, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Chih-Kun Huang, Chao-Ming Hung & Yaw-Sen Chen

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yi-Chia Lee

  3. Division of Biostatistics, Graduate Institute of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yi-Chia Lee

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, 1 E-Da Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Chi-Ming Tai

Authors
  1. Chih-Kun Huang
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  2. Yi-Chia Lee
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  3. Chao-Ming Hung
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  4. Yaw-Sen Chen
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  5. Chi-Ming Tai
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Correspondence to Chi-Ming Tai.

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Huang, CK., Lee, YC., Hung, CM. et al. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbidly Obese Chinese Patients: Learning Curve, Advocacy and Complications. OBES SURG 18, 776–781 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9373-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-007-9373-y

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