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Purpose: The real importance of gastric pouch emptying time to determine weight loss is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association between excess weight loss (EWL) and gastric pouch emptying time of obese subjects who underwent silastic ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Methods: 159 morbid obesity patients (mean age 41 ± 11 years, 112 females) underwent silastic ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and were followed for two years. Gastric pouch emptying time was studied by scintigraphy at 1 and 2 years after the operation. Individuals with diabetes or inability to ingest the test meal in 10 min were excluded. Pearson and Spearman correlation test, analysis of variance, and Bonferroni tests were used in the statistical analysis. Results: Gastric pouch emptying time ranged from 58 to 83 min (mean = 71 min) and 58 to 81 min (mean = 70min) during first and second year, respectively. A positive correlation between weight loss and gastric emptying time at the first year (r = 0.584, p < 0.001) and at the second year of follow-up (r = 0.660, p < 0.001) was found. Conclusion: Gastric pouch emptying time was associated with weight loss after silastic ring Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, during the two years follow-up.

Key Words: Gastric pouch emptying; weight loss; gastric bypass.