Background: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) both reduce gastric capacity, either by in-folding (LGCP) or removing (LSG) the greater curvature. While mid and long-term results of LSG are well known, LGCP is still considered investigational. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of LGCP and LSG in terms of weight loss and safety.
Methods: Forty-five obese LGCP patients (6 males and 39 females) were matched with 45 LSG patients. The two groups were matched according to sex, age ± 10 years and BMI ± 1 kg/m(2). Surgical complication rate, redo surgery need, excess BMI loss (%EBL) and mean BMI at 3 and 6 months were compared.
Results: LGCP and LSG mean age was 37.8 and 40 years, while the mean preoperative BMI was 40.65 and 41 kg/m(2), respectively. There was no difference in operative time, complication rate, mean BMI and %EBL at 3 months. Redo surgery rate was higher in LGCP group (LGCP 60 % vs LSG 8.8 %, P < 0.0001). The mean time to redo surgery was longer in LSG group (23 ± 6.61 vs 17.3 ± 7.67 months, P = 0.0003). The mean BMI at 6 months was lower in LSG group (32 ± 5.7 vs 34.6 ± 5.3, P = 0.028). The mean %EBL at 6 months was higher in LSG group (57 ± 30.89 vs 40.2 ± 25, P = 0.0057).
Conclusions: LGCP patients required more redo surgery. Weight loss was greater in LSG group at 6-month follow-up.