title: The role of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment for morbid obesity; review of outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Global prevalence of obesity has soared. Where lifestyle and medical treatments have failed, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is increasingly regarded as a good surgical procedure for morbid obesity. Following the introduction of LSG, we assessed our surgical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed a consecutive series of LSGs from January 2009 to January 2015. Our primary focus was to assess the success of this procedure on the percentage excess body weight loss (%EWL), Body Mass Index (BMI), hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, we evaluated the rate of procedure-related complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 183 consecutive patients evaluated. Median age was 45 years (24-73). The majority were female (73.2 %, n = 134). At 1 year post-op, median %EWL was 57.6 %. There was an associated median reduction in BMI of 16 kg/m2(0-33). At 2 years, median %EWL was sustained at 58.4 %. The median reduction in BMI was 16 kg/m2(4-32). At 2-year post-op, 78.9 % of diabetic patients had their diabetic medications completely discontinued, while a further 15.8 % having their medication reduced. 34.6 % of hypertensive patients had their antihypertensives discontinued, with 50 % having medications reduced. There was no procedure related mortality. 3.3 % (n = 6) of patients had a confirmed staple-line leak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows LSG is a safe and successful management strategy for morbid obesity. In addition to the direct effects of sustained weight loss, it highlights indirect effects that LSG has on obesity-related health issues, with substantial reduction in diabetic and anti-hypertensive medications. Our results reaffirm international studies of the beneficial effects of LSG on Type II diabetes and hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland. brianmoloney1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Moloney
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Galway Clinic, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Saolta University Healthcare Group, Galway, Ireland.|Galway Clinic, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: McAnena
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Minimally invasive surgery; Obesity; Sleeve gastrectomy; Surgical outcomes