Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

Mini Gastric Bypass surgery (MGBS) is an effective bariatric procedure similar to roux-en-y gastric bypass (RNGB). MGBS is a relatively newer approach to the surgical management of morbid obesity and is becoming more popular.

Laparoscopic mini gastric bypass also uses restrictive and malabsorptive mechanisms to yield rapid and long-term weight loss. The mini gastric bypass has been shown to have the same results as the conventional gastric bypass. The one connection (anastomosis) of the gastrointestinal tract in MGBS instead of two in the case of RNYGB offers a simpler and safer option.

Mini Gastric Bypass Explained

Mini-gastric bypass, also known as single-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), is an innovative surgical intervention for obesity and its associated disease. The stomach is separated into smaller and larger parts. The smaller pouch is helping patients to have restrictions to eat less food. The little pouch is attached to the small intestine bypassing the duodenum for less calorie absorption.

The main difference between mini-gastric bypass and any traditional gastric bypass is related to the small pouch and the connections to the small intestines. The small pocket in rny gastric bypass is attached to the small intestine in two locations (Y shape). In a mini gastric bypass, the stomach is cut and stapled to shape like a small tube connected to the digestive tract in only of place (anastomosis). The one-connection gastric bypass is the key to technically easier and safer operation.

Advantages of Mini Gastric Bypass

Mini Gastric Bypass has low complication rates (~ 7.5%), and very few patients require revisional surgery (only 1.7%). It is a great alternative for the conversion of unsuccessful gastric sleeve surgeries.

Disadvantages of Mini Gastric Bypass

Mini gastric bypass does not have enough long-term data for mass adoption and to merit insurance coverage. Only a few surgeons in the United States and Mexico can perform MGBS. Mini gastric bypass also may cause bile reflux, the backflow of bile into the stomach.

Conclusion

In general, mini gastric bypass surgery is a promising procedure that many Mexican bariatric surgeons suggest and perform. More longer-time research data are needed to compare the effectiveness of MGBS to RNGB.