Single-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (SAGB): Appraisal of Clinical Evidence

Single-anastomosis (mini-) gastric bypass (SAGB) was proposed by Dr. Robert Rutledge. Criticism and prejudice against this procedure was raised by surgeons who preferred a more difficult procedure, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Increasing data indicates the procedure is an effective and durable bariatric procedure. SAGB has lower operation risks compared to RYGB. The weight loss is better after SAGB because of a greater malabsorptive component than RYGB, but SAGB had a higher incidence of micronutrient deficiencies. Randomized controlled trial and long-term data demonstrate that SAGB can be regarded as a simpler and safer alternative to RYGB. We propose this procedure to be renamed "single-anastomosis gastric bypass (SAGB)" because the key feature of SAGB is the "single anastomosis" compared with the two anastomoses of RYGB.