Does Size Matter? Correlation of Excised Gastric Specimen Size in Sleeve Gastrectomy to Postoperative Weight Loss and Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: We present the correlation between excised specimen size in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and patient demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to address whether the size of gastric specimen excised during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has any correlation with patient demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative percent of excess body weight lost.

SETTING: Study was performed at a community teaching hospital in Michigan.

METHODS: We examined data from 204 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between August 2011 and January 2015. Data was collected retrospectively including demographics, comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), percent of excess body weight lost, and the size of the gastric specimen removed including specimen volume in cubic centimeters, length, width, and thickness in centimeters.

RESULTS: We found that gastric specimen size does not correlate with initial BMI or change in BMI at 3, 6, or 12 months. Larger specimen sizes were found in males, increasing age, and patients with diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between excised stomach size in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and postoperative weight loss (percent of excess body weight lost) or change in BMI. Male gender, diabetes, and increasing patients' age correlated with larger excised stomach size. Initial BMI and having histological gastritis did not correlate with excised stomach size.