Sleeve gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical weight-loss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach along the greater curvature. The result is a sleeve or tube like structure. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach, although there could be some dilatation of the stomach later on in life. The procedure is generally performed laparoscopically and is irreversible.

Procedure
Sleeve gastrectomy was originally performed as a modification to another bariatric procedure, the duodenal switch, and then later as the first part of a two-stage gastric bypass operation on extremely obese patients for which the risk of performing gastric bypass surgery was deemed too large. The initial weight loss in these patients was so successful it began to be investigated as a stand alone procedure.

Today sleeve gastrectomy is the fastest growing weight loss surgery option in North America and Asia. In many cases, but not all, sleeve gastrectomy is as effective as gastric bypass surgery, including weight independent benefits on glucose homeostasis. The precise mechanism(s) that produce these benefits is not known.

Most surgeons prefer to use a bougie between 32 - 60 Fr with the procedure and the ideal approximate remaining size of the stomach after the procedure is about 150 mL.

Safety and Efficacy in Pediatric Patients
Although not yet endorsed by bariatric surgery societies, sleeve gastrectomy is gaining popularity in children and adolescents. Recent studies have found that it is safe and effective, resulting in weight loss similar to weight loss seen in adult patients undergoing the bariatric procedure.

Complications
Sleeve gastrectomy may cause complications; some of them are listed below:
 * Sleeve leaking
 * Blood clots and infections
 * Aversion to food and nausea
 * Damage to the Vagus nerve which will cause constant nausea
 * Gastroparesis, with a delay in moving food from the stomach to the small intestine
 * Vomiting
 * Esophageal spasm / pain