Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an established bariatric procedure which produces substantial and rapid weight loss and hence can lead to an increase in gallstones development.
Objectives: To demonstrate the early and late appearance of gallstones after SG.
Materials and methods: A prospective protocol was established in consecutive patients submitted to SG. Clinical and ultrasound evaluations were performed early (1 to 2 y) and late after surgery (over 6 y).
Results: From 109 patients included, 13 (13.1%) had a previous and 10 (10.1%) had simultaneous cholecystectomy at the time of SG. Therefore, 86 patients were submitted to surveillance. Seven patients were unreachable, leaving 79 patients for late follow-up. Forty-five patients (57%) had alithiasic gallbladder late after surgery, whereas 34 patients (43%) showed appearance of gallstone. From them, 53% developed gallstones late after surgery (mean, 7.5 y). Among the group with early development of stones, 69% were symptomatic and in the latter group only 17%.
Conclusions: Study with 92% of follow-up late after SG demonstrated a 43% development of gallstones: half earlier and half late after surgery. We emphasize the need for late control to detect the real appearance of gallstones after SG.