Safety and Effectiveness of Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch Procedure: 2-Year Result from a Single US Institution.

BACKGROUND: Single-anastomosis duodenal switch (DS) was introduced by Sanchez-Pernaute et al. as a modification of the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. We have published preliminary results of the loop DS as the first report of the procedure in the USA. This study aims to evaluate the loop DS procedures again, in terms of weight loss, comorbidity resolution, complication rate, and address the nutritional concerns.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on initial 128 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic single-stage loop DS between December 17, 2013 and September 23, 2016. Sixteen additional patients were prospectively enrolled from September 24, 2016 to May 4, 2017.

RESULTS: A total of 102 female and 38 male patients were included in this study with a mean age of 41.2 ± 9.6 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) at the time of procedure was 57.3 ± 9.2 kg/m2 . Percentage of total weight loss was 23.1, 37.1, 42.9, and 44.7% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Percentage of excess BMI loss was 41.9, 68.1, 76.6, and 80.8% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Mean levels of HbA1c, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly after the loop DS. Regarding the fat-soluble vitamins, majority of patients had vitamin A and E levels in the normal range. However, 42 to 56% of the patients had low levels of vitamin D at 6, 12, and 24 months following the procedure. Mean length of hospital stay was 4.1 ± 2.7 days. Thirty-day readmission rate was 7.6% (n = 11), and 30-day reoperation rate was 6.9% (n = 10).

CONCLUSIONS: Loop DS seems to be effective in weight loss and is a feasible operation in the super-obese population. However, close monitoring of liver enzymes is warranted in addition to nutritional follow-up.