Question:
What are the mortality rates

for Open RNY vs. Lap RNY?    — Karen L. (posted on June 29, 2001)

June 29, 2001
karen according to dr mal fobi it is 1 out of every 200. the university of iowa keeps tabs on all his patients & i believe they r the ones that came up with this figure
   — sheryl titone

June 30, 2001
My surgeon explains to his patients that the national mortality statistic for WLS is 1%. I believe that this reflects a general statistic which does not differentiate between open or lap. Patients should also remember that this statistic can vary widely with the experience and expertise of the surgeon involved. Whether the WLS is open or lap, all of the same risk factors associated with any major abdominal surgery and general anesthesia still apply (infection, blood clots, bowel obstruction, stroke, death, etc...). From a purely surgical standpoint, the risk of wound infection following an open surgery, with or without drains/tubes, may be slightly higher simply due to the necessity for the larger incision. Repeatedly on this site there is misinformation which indicates that lap surgeries are more risky "because the surgeon really can't see what he's doing as well as the surgeon who does open surgeries" or that "lap surgeries require a much longer operating time than open surgeries". Please know that in the hands of a competent laparascopically-trained bariatric surgeon, the ONLY differences between open and lap are the final size of the incision(s) and the length of the post-op recovery period. In addition, the operating times for uncomplicated surgeries should be nearly equal. Excessive operating times in cases of uncomplicated WLS generally indicate inexperience on the part of the surgeon. The most important considerations for any pre-op patient are comprehensive research regarding all the WLS options and choosing a reputable surgeon with experience and expertise in this specialty. Surgeons should always be completely open with any patient regarding all possible surgical risks, then the patient must weigh out the risk of surgery versus the risks of continuing to live a life of morbid obesity. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.