Background: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) has become an attractive procedure, mainly due to its low morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to describe complications following LSG in a high-volume center. Methods: We conducted a review of our prospective electronic database for all patients who underwent a LSG from August-2005 to October-2010. Results: A total of 1351 patients underwent LSG during this period (77.9% females), preoperative age and BMI were 37 +/- 11 years and 37.5 +/- 4.39 kg/m(2) respectively. LSG was perforrned as primary procedure in 97.4% of patients and as revisional surgery in 2.6% (from previous laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding). There were no deaths. Conversion to open technique was required in one (0.07%) patient. The shortterm complication rate was 2.3%; portal thrombosis (0.7%), suture line leak (0.4%), hemoperitoneum (0.4%) and intra-abdominal abscess (0.4%). Reoperation was required in 8 (0.6%) patients: leak in 5 patients (4 required a combined approach using laparoscopic exploration and endoscopic prosthesis), hemoperitoneum in 2 and conversion to a Rouxen-Y Gastric bypass due to a stenotic sleeve. Portal thrombosis was the most common complication in 10 (0.7%) patients, there are five patients on anticoagulant therapy and the remaining five were studied for a thrombophilic disorder, which was positive in only 2. Conclusion: In our series, LSG proved to be a safe procedure, with a low morbidity rate and no mortality. Most complications can be treated conservatively with the aid of minimally invasive surgery. Causes for portal thrombosis need to be studied further.
