title: Indications for sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure for weight loss in the morbidly obese.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-stage laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) may represent an additional surgical option for morbid obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of LSG performed from November 2004 to April 2007 as a one-stage primary restrictive procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty-eight LSGs were performed as primary procedures for weight loss. The mean patient age was 42 years (range, 13-79), mean body mass index of 43.4 kg/m(2) (range, 35-75), mean operative time of 60 min (range, 58-190), and mean blood loss of 60 ml (range, 0-300). One hundred forty-seven procedures (99.3%) were completed laparoscopically, with a mean hospital stay of 2.7 days (range, 2-25). A 2.7% major complication rate was observed with four events in three patients and no deaths. Four patients required readmission; mild dehydration in two, choledocholithiasis in one, and a gastric sleeve stricture in one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic SG is a safe one-stage restrictive technique as a primary procedure for weight loss in the morbidly obese with an acceptable operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and perioperative complication rate.
authors.affiliation: The Bariatric Institute, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd, Weston, FL 33331, USA.
authors.forename: O N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szomstein
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*