Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the "megaobese".

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a safe and effective procedure in patients with a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 70 or greater.

DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of patients with a BMI of 70 or greater who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass by a single surgeon.

SETTING: A university-affiliated community hospital in Allentown, Pa.

PATIENTS: A nonconsecutive series of 9 patients with a BMI of 70 or greater who met traditional criteria for a bariatric procedure.

INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic approach to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with stapled anastomoses.

RESULTS: Patient medical records were reviewed for length of stay, complications, operative time, comorbidities, and weight loss. Seven patients were women and 2 were men. Comorbidities included dyspnea on exertion, peripheral edema, arthritis, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, and heart disease. Eight of 9 procedures were successfully completed laparoscopically. One patient was converted to an open procedure. One patient developed a marginal ulcer postoperatively. No other complications occurred. Operative time ranged from 122 to 330 minutes (mean, 203 minutes). Length of stay averaged 1.2 days. Overall weight loss was 49% of excess body weight at 1 year after surgery.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is safe and effective in patients with a BMI of 70 or greater.