title: Early results after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: effect of the learning curve.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was performed to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) for morbid obesity and to describe the relation between learning curve and short-term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected a prospective database on the first 201 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB by a single university-based, experienced bariatric surgeon over 24 months. We divided patients into 3 consecutive groups of 67 patients for analysis (Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean patient age was 37 (standard deviation [SD] 9) years; mean body mass index (BMI) was 49.2 (SD 8.3) kg/m2. BMI was similar in Groups 1 and 2 (mean 47.1, SD 5.9 and mean 48.7, SD 8.9 kg/m2) but increased in Group 3 (mean 52, SD 9.7 kg/m2, p < 0.01). Operative time decreased from 145 (SD 30) minutes in Group 1 to 114 (SD 24) minutes in Group 2 (p < 0.01) and was maintained at 119 (SD 23) minutes in Group 3. Early and late complication rates were 14.9% and 12.4%, respectively. Leak rates decreased from 6.0% in the first group to 1.5% in Groups 2 and 3, but they did not reach statistical significance. Anastomotic stricture rates decreased from 11.9% in Group 1 to 3.0% in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Overall excess weight loss for the entire series was 31.5% (SD 11.9%), 54.5% (SD 14.1%), 77.1% (SD 18.5%) and 82.1% (SD 17.5%) at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LRYGB can be performed with acceptable morbidity and short-term results during the learning curve. In our series, operative time and anastomotic stricture rates decreased with experience, despite an increase in mean BMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg. candrew@sbgh.mb.ca
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Look
authors.forename: Alexander P H
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Nicolas V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Christou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000009:adverse effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors