OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of obesity and related diseases.

METHODSClinical data of 67 patients who underwent LSG between December 2006 and July 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Improvements in body mass index(BMI), percentage of excess weight loss(EWL), type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other comorbidities were observed at one year postoperatively.

RESULTSLaparoscopic procedures were completed in 67 patients without conversion. The operative time was(78±17) min. The postoperative hospital stay was(5.0±1.7) d. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and there were no perioperative death or severe postoperative complication. Sixty-four patients(95.5%) had a postoperative follow up of 1 year. One year after LSG, BMI decreased by(10.4±3.7) kg/m(2) from (37.7±4.1) kg/m(2) preoperatively and EWL was(80.2±27.7)%. In 13 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, 7 patients (53.8%, 7/13) were weaned off hypoglycemic agents or insulin. In 11 cases of hypertension, 5 required no medications(45.5%, 5/11). The remission rate was both 100%. There was significant resolution or improvement of other obesity-related comorbidiities, including hyper-triglyceridemia(n=51), hyperuricemia(n=42), sleep apnea syndrome (n=2), osteoarticular disease (n=9), and acanthosis (n=8).

CONCLUSIONSLSG is safe and feasible for the treatment of obesity and can cure or improve type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other obesity related comorbidities.