title: Laparoscopic vs open gastric bypass in the management of morbid obesity: a 7-year retrospective study of 1,364 patients from a single center.
abstract: METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,364 consecutive morbidly obese patients who underwent restrictive-malabsorptive Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) between January 1998 and December 2004. A selective use of open and laparoscopic approaches was employed since 2001. Patients were seen in the office at 1 week; 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months; and yearly thereafter. During visits, each patient was weighed and dietary intake and exercise regimen were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report a sustained weight reduction in over 90% of patients. The anastomotic leak rate was 0.15%, the 30-day readmission rate was 1.17%, and the overall mortality rate was 0.15%. Minor surgical site infection rate was 0.5%, and revision to long limb RYGBP rate was 0.07%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morbid obesity represents a significant health issue. None of the medical methods of weight reduction provide a lasting weight reduction. Surgery offers the only achievable long-term solution. Although not yet universally employed, laparoscopic RYGBP is rapidly becoming the standard operation for the surgical treatment of clinically severe obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. eagaba@gmail.com
authors.forename: Emmanuel Atta
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Agaba
authors.forename: Hazem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shamseddeen
authors.forename: Charmaine Victoria
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Gentles
authors.forename: Venketesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sasthakonar
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gellman
authors.forename: Dominick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gadaleta
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome