Rapid Liquid Phase Gastric Emptying May Be The Harbinger Of Sustained Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Study Contextual: 15-20 % Of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients need revisional surgery after LSG, because of inadequate weight loss. Aim: The aim of our study is, primarily to analyze the relationship between liquid-phase gastric emptying rate and weight loss, to find a parameter that may be the harbinger of successful weight loss after LSG. Methods: Patient records who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were examined retrospectively. 44 Patients were included in the study. Preoperative weight and BMI, postoperative weight loss at first, third, and sixth months, surgical operation reports, preoperative and postoperative liquid-phase gastric emptying study values were mainly collected. Results: The male/ female ratio was 18/82. Mean age 38 (19-60), mean body mass index 48,1(40-66) kg/m² and mean (EWL%) 63,17±13,94 were found. Mean pre and post-operative gastric emptying half times were found to be (T½) 41,86 minute(min), T½ 6,82 min (p<0.0001). Significant correlation was found between patients’ post-operative third and sixth month EWL% and post-operative T½ (p=0,020, p=0,032). Patients who have post-op gastric T½ above 10 min had decreased sixth-month EWL% significantly (p=0.03). Conclusion: Post-operative gastric emptying time (T½) may be a harbinger of weight loss after LSG.