With obesity rates continuing to rise we are increasingly seeing cases of super obesity for which many forms of bariatric surgery are simply not feasible or are too risky. One answer to this problem might well be the vertical gastrectomy and the data on the feasibility of this option is now starting to come in.
Although the vertical gastrectomy, which is also often referred to as a sleeve gastrectomy, greater curvature gastrectomy, parietal gastrectomy or vertical gastroplasty, is not perhaps the most well known form of bariatric weight loss surgery it may well provide an excellent option for the super obese.
For individuals with a very high body mass index (typically quoted as being in excess of 55 or 60) bariatric surgery presents particular problems as the risks of surgery at this weight are often unacceptably high - especially when other medical conditions are present.
One answer however is to split surgery into two separate procedures using a laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy initially to reduce the patient's weight to a level at which traditional gastric bypass surgery can then be performed with much lower risk. But just how successful is this approach?
At the moment data is somewhat thin on the ground and it may be some time before we have sufficient data to start drawing strong conclusions. However, the data which is available does suggest that the vertical gastrectomy will prove to be a good choice for the super obese.
Among several studies which have reported recently one is a study conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in which seven patients (4 men and 3 women with an average age of 43 and with BMIs of between 58 and 71) underwent a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, followed about a year later by a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation.
Prior to initial surgery the group had a mean weight of 398 lbs and BMI of 63. Following the initial vertical gastrectomy all of the patients progressed satisfactorily and immediately prior to their second surgery the mean weight of the group had dropped to 319 lbs with a mean BMI of 50. At this point the group are continuing to progress and the mean weight of the group is currently down to 277 lbs with a mean BMI of 44.
In this particular study 4 of the patients encountered complications (none of which were reported as being serious) including injury to the spleen, anastomotic stricture, nerve praxia, hernia and urinary tract infection.
Although the jury is still out initial results are encouraging and, as obesity continues to grow at an alarming rate in many western countries, the vertical gastrectomy may well find its place as the first of a two-part weight loss operative plan.
Successful Golf Practice Is An Art That Novice Golfers Need To Master
A key feature of every successful golfer's routine is practice but far too many novice golfers simply do not know what to practice or how to go about it.
Golfing Tips - Setting Yourself Up For The Masterful Pitch Shot
The pitch shot, as well as its variations such as the pitch and run or bump and run shot, is an extremely important shot and one that you must learn to master if you wish to be able to play a good short game.
If You Are Not Happy Playing Golf When The Wind Is Blowing Then Please Read On
If you run for the protection of the clubhouse when the wind picks up and the rain begins then there is an alternative which you just might find is great fun.
