Analysis of the results of sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity and the role of ghrelin.

To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a relatively new bariatric surgical procedure associated with duodenal switch (DS), we analyzed the findings of ten published studies on LSG. No relationship was found between the excess weight loss and the size of the bougie or the follow-up period. The amount of gastric fundus removed may be an important consideration because most ghrelin-producing cells are in the fundus; however, there is insufficient evidence that lowered ghrelin is the sole reason for the resulting weight loss after this procedure. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is still considered experimental by many, but the initial results are promising, with one study even suggesting long-term results comparable with those of other bariatric procedures. Ghrelin may play a role in the weight loss associated with LSG, but is unlikely to be the sole reason for its success.