Tackling Obesity Through Bariatric Surgery: Long-Term Outcomes and Complication Rates

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks have led to a growing interest in bariatric surgery as a treatment option. Sleeve gastroplasty, a common bariatric procedure, has shown promise in addressing obesity-related issues. However, comprehensive studies evaluating its long-term effectiveness and safety are needed to understand its full impact on patient health, including both physical and mental aspects. Objective: This study aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of sleeve gastroplasties by assessing patients who underwent the surgery (Patient Group, PG) against those who did not (Control Group, CG). The primary focus was on the resolution of obesity comorbidities, overall surgical morbidity, severe surgical complications, mental health outcomes, and total weight loss percentage (TWL%) over two years. Methods: The study involved 136 participants, evenly divided between the PG and CG. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was utilized to ensure balanced comparisons. Key measures included TWL%, resolution of obesity comorbidities, severe surgical complications, total surgical morbidity, and mental health adverse events. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify significant differences between the groups at the two-year follow-up. Results: After one year, the PG exhibited a TWL% of 32.7%, whereas the CG showed 36.6%, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002). Surgical morbidity was notably higher in the PG (28%) compared to the CG (17%), with a significant difference (p = 0.01). Severe surgical complications were similar between groups (4% in PG vs. 3% in CG, p = 0.44). Mental health adverse events were more prevalent in the PG. Both groups had comparable remission rates of obesity-related comorbidities at the one-year mark. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that sleeve gastroplasties result in effective weight reduction, as evidenced by the TWL% differences. However, the higher incidence of surgical morbidity and mental health issues in the PG underscores the need for comprehensive care, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of bariatric surgery. Future research should focus on identifying factors influencing these outcomes to optimize the benefits of sleeve gastroplasties, considering individual patient profiles.