Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric surgery technique which is applied for the surgical treatment of obesity.
The amount we can eat or drink at one meal period in a normal diet is related to the size of our stomach. Sometimes, it is possible to finish 2-3 portions or more of different foods at once. In sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the stomach is cut on the vertical axis and its volume is reduced. On average, 70-80% of the stomach is removed in this surgery. It is important to remove the apex of the stomach called the fundus during gastric sleeve surgery, since the fundus part is the place where the satiety reflexes are activated and the hunger hormone called ghrelin is secreted most.
In sleeve gastrectomy surgery, special instruments called staples are used which can both cut and stitch (staple) the stomach. Different regions of the stomach tissue have different thicknesses, so choosing the appropriate staple for the tissue thickness is very important.
As in all bariatric surgery techniques, it is not possible to achieve permanent success in sleeve gastrectomy surgery without making a healthy lifestyle change. In the absence of lifestyle changes, it is possible for patients to regain weight in 3-5 years.
Leakage and bleeding are complications that may occur in these surgeries. Leakage is defined as the presence of millimetric openings in the staple line over the stomach and therefore the leakage of stomach contents into the abdomen and the formation of an abscess in the abdomen, which causes a systemic infection. It is seen very rarely in experienced centers.
Attention should be paid to the fact that the teams performing the surgery are as competent in the management of possible complications as the surgery. Leaks can be life-threatening if a timely and correct approach is not taken.
