Comparison of 21 vs. 25 mm gastrojejunostomy in the gastric bypass procedure - Early results

Background: Many bariatric surgeons consider a small gastrojejunostomy stoma critical to the success of gastric bypass. Methods: We retrospectively compared a 21 vs. 25 mm gastrojejunostomy in 50 patients undergoing gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Results: 31 patients were constructed with a 21 mm EEA, group I, and 19 with a 25 mm, group II. Average percent of excess body weight lost was 61%, 65%, and 64% at 12, 15, and 18 months followup in the group I patients, vs. 61%, 67%, and 69% in the group B patients. Differences were not significant. Complaints of nausea, vomiting, and/or dysphagia were similar between the groups. Conclusion: The choice of a 21 or 25 mm gastrojejunostomy does not appear to alter the success of gastric bypass surgery and can be based upon surgeon preference.