Short-term outcomes of two laparoscopic bariatric procedures.

OBJECTIVE To compare the short term outcomes of laparoscopic Roux-Y gastric bypass (lap RYGB) and laparoscopic gastric banding (lap banding) for morbidly obese patients at a tertiary care hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD Medical records of patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery for morbid obesity between November 2003 and November 2008 were reviewed. Baseline data including demographics, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were recorded. Patients were followed postoperatively and the body weight was measured every three to six months. Follow-up biochemical measurements were also recorded. After approximately six months to one year after the initial operation, the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) scores were obtained, and re-evaluated every six months. RESULTS There were 65 patients in the series, 31 underwent lap banding and 34 lap RYGB. There were 28 men (43%) and 37 women (57%), with an average age of 31.7 years (SD, 10.5 years). Patients were followed postoperatively for a period between six months and three years. The expected weight loss was 6% greater on the average for the lap RYGB group during the first two years of follow-up. Biochemical outcomes tended to marginally favor the lap RYGB group. There was no clear difference between groups in terms of the BAROS scores. CONCLUSION Short- term differences between the two laparoscopic operations for morbid obesity tended to marginally favor lap RYGB. However, the BAROS scores were not clearly different between the two groups. These differences seemed to attenuate with time. The effects of the two operations were similar after two years.