Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A 7-year Retrospective Review of 3,855 Patients.
BACKGROUND: 3,855 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity between 1988 and 1994 are presented. METHODS: All patients were sent a standard questionnaire reflecting current weight, intervening complications and general health status and 1039 patients responded. Information gleaned from review of these questionnaires and a review of individual charts provided the data for this study. RESULTS: Average weight loss at 1 year was 46 kg and at 5 years was 34.5 kg. Operative mortality was 0.18%. Surgical morbidity rate was 3.4%. Average length of stay for patients hospitalized in 1994 was 3.6 days. The average operating time during that same year was 78 min, and the average hospital charges were $7250. CONCLUSIONS: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be performed with relative safety and acceptable morbidity. There is a demonstrable weight loss benefit which is maintained in the majority of patients over a period greater than 5 years. The expense and consumption of provider services are modest, and this procedure remains an excellent alternative for weight control among morbidly obese individuals.
Smith
SC
Salt Lake, UT, 84107, USA.
Goodman
GN
Edwards
CB