Gastric Sleeve Plication, also known as laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP), is a newer and experimental weight loss surgery option that has been around for ten years. Like gastric sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve plication helps people who have problems with obesity lose weight permanently.

How Does Sleeve Plication Work?

As a restrictive technique, the stomach is folded and sutured vertically, reducing its capacity. A tube is passed through the stomach orally for calibration. Then, the stomach is folded into itself using two layers of sutures. The first folding is performed on the outer edge of the stomach. Then, the second layer further reduces its volume to adhere to the calibration tube. The tube is removed, which mimics a long gastric tube with 10% of the stomach’s original capacity.

What are the Advantages of Sleeve Plication?

Through the use of non-absorbable sutures, less surgery time and recovery time are needed—only two nights at the hospital. No external object, such as staples or bands and fills, is used in this procedure. Since no part of the stomach is removed, the hormones produced naturally are preserved.

What are the Disadvantages of Sleeve Plication?

Sleeve Plication is very appealing, but it lacks long-term results. For one thing, the hormones responsible for increasing appetite are not decreased with this procedure as they are with sleeve gastrectomy. One of the biggest problems with sleeve plication is leaks through the sutures.

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