A Simple Way to Estimate a Difficult Sleeve Gastrectomy Prior to Operating

Today, bariatric procedures are common. These surgeries’ difficulties are classified as patient- or surgical team–related and are estimated by body mass index (BMI). More efficient methods are needed to help surgeons. This study evaluated the effect of measuring patients’ subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (SFT) and umbilicus-xiphoid (DXU) to anticipate surgical difficulties.

This was a prospective retrospective data analysis study. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients seen between May and October 2022 were included in the analysis and divided into three groups, according to a surgeon’s assessment. All patients’ SFT, DXU, rectus muscle thickness, total fat tissue amount (TFT), and operational time were recorded prospectively and analyzed.

In all, 151 patients were included in the study; of these, 124 (82.1%) were women and 27 (17.9%) were men. Their mean BMI value was 41.1 ± 6.2. Based on expert’s opinion, we classified three groups: easy (n = 123, 81.5%), intermediate (n = 22, 14.6%), or difficult (n = 6, 4%). When the easy group was compared to the intermediate/difficult groups, we found that intermediate/difficult groups’ SFT values were statistically significantly higher than the easy group (p = 0.000). Also, the intermediate/difficult group’s TFT value was statistically significantly higher than the easy group (p = 0.000). We found no statistically significant differences between groups’ DXU and rectus muscle thickness.

This is the first study to anticipate sleeve gastrectomy difficulty using SFT and TFT. This is an easy technique to apply and no additional costs. Anticipating difficulties based on these criteria can ensure necessary preparations are made and help avoid complications.