No abstract

As a safe and minimally invasive procedure, LHOF has a low incidence of short- and long-term complications. This technique can expand the indications and usefulness of the omental flap.

The first nationwide survey of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in Japan clearly showed the current status and outcomes of this group of procedures. The Japanese results appear to be comparable to similarly undertaken surveys in Europe and the USA.

Use of the double-balloon technique makes it possible to observe the GI tract after laparoscopic LRYGBP irrespective of the length between the gastrojejunostomy and the jejunojejunostomy.

Introduction Laparoscopic bariatric procedures have been performed in Japan since 2000. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been fully covered by National Health Insurance since 2014, and it has been increasingly performed recently. The Japan Consortium of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery conducts a nationwide survey on laparoscopic bariatric/metabolic surgery every 2 years. Methods The survey was sent by post or email to 97 Japanese institutions in January 2020. Results From 2000 to 2019, a total of 3669 laparoscopic bariatric/metabolic procedures were performed in 64 institutions. The most popular procedure was LSG (n = 2866), followed by LSG with duodenojejunal bypass (LSG‐DJB, n = 337) and laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, n = 280). Morbidity and reoperation rates were, respectively, 29.8% and 11.8% for LRYGB, 16.8% and 2.8% for LSG, and 13.6% and 6.6% for LSG‐DJB. At 5 years after the procedures, the percentage of excess weight loss was 78% for LRYGB, 66% for LSG, and 80% for LSG‐DJB. Conclusion This nationwide survey clearly showed that laparoscopic bariatric/metabolic surgery has been safely and effectively performed for 20 years in Japan.