EC Gastroenterology and Digestive System

Background: The global prevalence of obesity is rising, particularly in Western countries and the United States, positioning bariatric surgery as a key treatment modality. In Asia, the increasing recognition of obesity-related issues has led to a higher frequency of bariatric surgeries, especially given the region's higher prevalence of metabolic diseases.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 172 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2017 and January 2022 at our institution. The primary focus was on the safety and efficacy of optical trocar insertion, a technique used in all cases by a single surgeon. Data were gathered from medical records, laboratory results, CT scans, and operation videos. The surgical technique involved marking the port site below the xyphoid process and lateral to the midline, followed by the use of a Medtronic^® optical trocar visualized through an Olympus^® laparoscopy system.

Results: The study population had an average age of 38.27 years (range 19 - 65), with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 38:62. The mean BMI was 40.27, with the lowest being 22.5. The majority underwent Sleeve Gastrectomy (73%), followed by Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (26%). No intraoperative bleeding was observed. Postoperative complications included bleeding in 7 patients, necessitating reoperation in 2 cases, but no complications were related to the trocar site.

Conclusion: Optical trocar insertion in laparoscopic bariatric surgery is a safe and effective technique, even in patients with lower BMIs. This study underscores the need for further research to establish its efficacy as a standard practice in laparoscopic surgeries.

 Keywords: Bariatric Surgery; Optical Trocar Insertion; Laparoscopic Surgery

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