Background: A growing number of revisionary and secondary bariatric operations have been performed in recent years, with the number of operations doubling each year at the authors' center. Diagnostics, indications, and most revisionary operations should be performed by an experienced bariatric surgeon. This study was undertaken to evaluate indications and outcomes of revisionary bariatric operations at a specialized center.
Methods: At the Centre of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery (University of Freiburg, Germany), 100 consecutive revisionary bariatric operations performed between March 2007 and September 2009 were analyzed concerning indications and outcomes.
Results: Only 9 of the 100 revisions were due to early complications (<30 days after the primary operation). The indication for most revisions was poor weight loss (n = 55). A mean body mass index reduction of 10 points could be achieved in 1 year, which equals a 56% excess weight loss (EWL). No significant difference in weight reduction between restrictive and malabsorptive revisions was observed. Revisions due to implant-related problems also were frequent (n = 25). Laparoscopic revision was possible in 95% of the cases.
Conclusion: Insufficient weight loss is the most frequent indication for revisionary bariatric surgery. The surgery can be performed laparoscopically in most cases, and a significant EWL (> 50%) can be achieved in 1 year if the right revisionary procedure is chosen.