Gastric bypass: Historical evolution and technical development of a time-honored bariatric procedure

Abstract

Gastric bypass (GB) was originally described over 50 years ago as an alternative to jejunoileal bypass in the surgical approach to morbid obesity. Since then, several technical improvements and modifications have been proposed over time to simplify technical execution, enhance outcomes, and minimize the risk of complications and/or adverse effects. After half a century of robust and sustained results, the technical drawing of the GB still undergoes improvements, mainly to ensure even more safety for obese patients and encompass modern concepts of metabolic surgery. This review aims to outline the main technical changes proposed for GB from its original description to the current times.