EP.TH.239Outcomes and Complications After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Abstract

Abstract Aim The sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a popular bariatric procedure that has beneficial effects that go beyond that of simply reducing obesity. It also has positive effects on diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension. Method The literature search was carried out using Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed databases to search for keywords and MeSH terms including “bariatric surgery”, “sleeve gastrectomy”, “complications”, “hypertension”, “diabetes”, “dyslipidaemia”, “cardiovascular” and “obesity”. Result SG leads to improvement in hypertension, type 2 diabetes, increased HDL levels, and reduction in uraemia levels that were present even after 10 years. Approximately 56-59% of patients experience type 2 diabetes mellitus remission after a year following a SG operation, and the beneficial effects of the operation on diabetes continue long after a year, with 84-86% of patients noting remission after a 5-year period. Approximately 78.5% who undergo SG will see improvements in hypertension, whilst 67.1% will report resolution. On the other hand, complications include formation of strictures (0.7-4% in patients), haemorrhage (1.5% of patients), and leakage (1.5-2.4%). Additional complications include alteration to bile flow, disruption to microbiota, and disruption to vagus nerve activity. Conclusion Complications from SG are uncommon but can be severe, and the involved mechanisms are only partially revealed. However, optimisation of risk factors in the months leading up to the operation can significantly improve outcomes in patients. This involves an early implementation of a healthy lifestyle including advising patients to exercise more regularly and adopt a low fat, low salt diet, limiting alcohol, and cessation of smoking.