Background

Staple-line reinforcement has been used to decrease complications such as staple-line bleeding (SLB) and staple-line leaks (SLL) in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). There is little data comparing bioabsorbable mesh reinforcement (BMR) to oversewing the staple-line (OSL). The aim of our study was to compare BMR to OSL in LSG.

Methods

This is a single institution retrospective analysis comparing risks and benefits of BMR (group a) to OSL (group b) for LSG staple-line reinforcement between 2015 - 2020.

Results

857 patients were identified. There were 452 (52.74%) in group a and 405 (47.26%) in group b. SLB requiring transfusion occurred in 6 (1.32%) patients in group a and 6 (1.48%) in group b, NS (P = 0.848). One case of SLL was identified in group a (0.22%) and zero cases of SLL were identified in group b. The one-year mean direct cost of LSG in group a was $7881 compared to $6677 in group b.

Conclusions

This retrospective study showed there was a low risk of bleeding or leak with either technique of staple-line reinforcement and there was no significant difference in staple-line bleeding or leak rate with bioabsorbable mesh versus oversewing. The use of bioabsorbable mesh was more expensive than oversewing.