Surgical techniques for LSG and LRYGB were standardized [17 (link)]. Veress needle was used to achieve pneumoperitoneum (15 mmHg). Routine procedure required insertion of four trocars during LSG and five trocars during LRYGB. A sealer/divider or ultrasonic shears were used for a dissection and coagulation (LigaSure Atlas™, Covidien or SonoSurg™, Olympus). A 34-French gastric bougie inserted into the stomach along the lesser curvature was used to calibrate the gastric sleeve. Gastrectomy started 4–5 cm proximal to the pylorus with continuously applied linear staplers, starting with two firings of 60 mm, Ethicon Echelon EndoFlex with gold cartridges (3.8 mm open stapler height, 1.8 mm closed stapler height), then continued with blue cartridges (3.6 mm open stapler height, 1.5 mm closed stapler height) straight to the angle of His. Stapler line was reinforced by a running 3-0 PDS suture. Resected portion of the stomach was removed from the peritoneal cavity through the left flank trocar site during LSG. LRYGB required creation of a pouch by one horizontal 45-mm stapler followed by vertical stapling toward the angle of His, until the pouch was totally separated from the rest of the stomach. Gastrojejunal anastomosis was created with a linear stapler Ethicon Echelon EndoFlex (45 mm, with blue cartridges, open staple height 3.5 mm, closed staple height 1.5 mm) with hand-sewn closure of the remaining defect (3/0 Vicryl, Ethicon). The length of alimentary and enzymatic limb was standardized in all patients, respectively, 150 and 100 cm. Jejunojejunal anastomosis was created using a linear stapler Ethicon Echelon EndoFlex (45 mm, with white cartridge, open staple height 2.5 mm, closed staple height 1 mm). Petersen’s defect was not routinely closed as prevention for internal hernias. A routine 10/12 mm port sites closure was performed to prevent herniation.
Full text: Click here