title: A comparison study of laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass for morbid obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP) has been previously described, but a comparative study between laparoscopic and open GBP has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes oflaparoscopic GBP with those of open GBP for treatment of morbid obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 1998 to September 1999, we prospectively collected outcome data on 35 patients with body-mass indices between 40 kg/m2 and 60 kg/m2 who underwent laparoscopic GBP. Demographics, operative data, perioperative complications, and weight losses were collected and compared with those obtained from a retrospective chart review of 35 patients with body-mass indices between 40 kg/m2 and 60 kg/m2 who underwent open GBP before August 1998.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, gender, preoperative body-mass index, preoperative comorbidity, and earlier abdominal surgery were similar in both groups. All laparoscopic operations were completed without conversion to laparotomy. Mean operative time, operative blood loss, length of intensive care stay, and length of hospital stay were significantly less after laparoscopic GBP than after open GBP (p<0.05). There was no 30-day mortality in either group. At 1-year followup, analysis of the percentage of excess body weight loss showed no significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is technically feasible and safe. Laparoscopic GBP confers the clinical benefits of laparoscopy and an initial weight loss similar to that of open GBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Health System, Sacramento, USA.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003422:Critical Care; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss