Silastic ring vertical banded gastric bypass for the treatment of obesity : two years of follow-up in 84 patients

The SILASTIC ring vertical gastric bypass (SRVGBP) has evolved as the rational operation to control obesity. The operation consists of a proximal vertical gastric pouch < 30 cc in size. The pouch is banded with a 5.5-cm SILASTIC ring, and this functions as the stoma which does not stretch and is large enough to allow patients to eat all varieties of food, including vegetables and meats, with minimal incidence of postprandial emesis. The continuity of the gastrointestinal tract is formed with a Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy with each limb about 60 cm long. The bypass of the gastroduodenal axis causes decreased digestion and thus decreased absorption of fats and carbohydrates, resulting in comparably more weight loss than seen in the standard restrictive gastroplasty. The dumping experienced in this operation, which prevents patients from becoming sweet eaters and thus provides long-term weight maintenance, is not as severe as in the regular gastric bypass with a dilatable stoma. In trained hands, the morbidity and mortality from this operation is comparable to that seen in the simple restrictive gastroplasty. The complications due to this operation include staple line breakdown, marginal ulcers, stenosis, incisional hernia, dumping, and iron, vitamins A, B12, D, and E deficiencies. These deficiencies are correctable by oral or parenteral supplements as necessary. This operation yields a 90% or higher success rate (> 40% excess weight loss) in the treatment of morbid obesity [corrected].