Comparison of Repeat Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Case of Weight Loss Failure After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Background Few series are available on the results of repeat sleeve gastrectomy (re-SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) performed to manage the failure of primary sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The objective of this study was to compare the short- and medium-term outcomes of re-SG and RYGB after SG. Material & Methods Between January 2010 and December 2017, patients undergoing re-SG ( n = 61) and RYGB ( n = 83) for failure of primary SG were included in this study. Revisional surgery was proposed for patients with insufficient excess weight loss (EWL ≤ 50%) or weight regain. The primary endpoint was the comparison of weight loss in the re-SG group and the RYGB group at the 1-year follow-up. The secondary endpoints were overall mortality and morbidity, specific morbidity, length of stay, weight loss, and correction of comorbidities. Results The mean interval between SG and re-SG was 41.5 vs. 43.2 months between SG and RYGB ( p = 0.32). The mean operative time was 103 min (re-SG group) vs. 129.4 min (RYGB group). One death (1.7%; re-SG group) and 25 complications (17.4%; 9 in the re-SG group, 16 in the RYGB group) were observed. At the 1 year, mean body mass index was 31.6 in the re-SG group and 32.5 in the RYGB group ( p = 0.61) and excess weight loss was 69.5 vs. 61.2, respectively ( p = 0.05). Conclusion Re-SG and RYGB as revisional surgery for SG are feasible with acceptable outcomes and similar results on weight loss on the first postoperative year.