Expert consensus on the clinical practice of sleeve gastrectomy in China using the modified Delphi method

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide, including in China. Despite its prevalence, significant variations exist in its practice. This consensus aims to standardize SG practices in China. A modified Delphi method was employed to gather expert opinions from 50 Chinese bariatric surgeons. Participants voted on 80 statements covering indications, contraindications, preoperative/postoperative management, and surgical techniques. Consensus was achieved on 54 out of 80 statements. Key areas include SG being the preferred choice for patients with high surgical risk and severe obesity. Agreement was reached on surgical techniques such as staple line reinforcement and the management of hiatal hernias found during surgery. Consensus was also achieved on aspects of preoperative and postoperative care, including routine endoscopy and the use of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. This consensus provides valuable guidelines for standardizing SG practices in China. It provides evidence-based recommendations to standardize SG practice, improve outcomes, and guide future research directions.