Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: initial results of 120 consecutive patients at a single British Columbia surgical center.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obesity in Canada is increasing, therefore, it has become imminently important to treat these patients in a timely manner.


METHODS
A total of 120 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (2004 to 2006), with a mean postoperative follow-up period of 19 months, were divided into 2 chronologic groups and analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The overall postoperative excess weight loss was 78.1% (SD, 14.3%) from the time of inclusion into the study preoperatively (average wait time, 21 mo) to 12 months postoperatively. No preoperative weight loss was recorded. A surgeon-dependent learning curve was shown with a decrease in surgical time as well as surgery-related complications. Obesity-associated comorbidities decreased whereas quality of life increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a structured multidisciplinary approach to alter lifestyle and daily caloric intake preoperatively, only laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass showed effective weight loss and reduced associated comorbidities.
Schaeffer
David F
DF
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. david.schaeffer@web.de
Rusnak
Conrad H
CH
Amson
Bradley J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss