Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy With 75-mm Stapler Reloads: A Pilot Survey of Surgeon-Reported Workflow and Perceived Safety

IntroductionLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) requires multiple sequential stapler firings, creating junctions along the staple line.Extended-length 75 mm reloads can reduce the number of firings and junctions required, yet real-world surgeon experience with these devices in clinical practice remains largely undescribed.This evidence gap motivated the present study, which aimed to characterize surgeon-reported experience with 75 mm stapler reloads during LSG across workflow efficiency, staple-line quality, safety, cost, and adoption. MethodsA cross-sectional anonymous web-based survey was distributed to bariatric surgeons in Latin America and the Middle East/Africa.Eligible participants had performed at least 10 LSG procedures using 75 mm reloads.Results are reported using descriptive statistics. ResultsThirty-five of 60 invited surgeons completed the survey (35/60, 58.3% response rate).Most reported using three 75 mm cartridges (25/35, 71.4%) versus five standard cartridges (31/35, 88.6%), and 28/35 (80.0%) estimated two fewer staple-line junctions.Most estimated a shorter overall procedure duration.Reduced leak and bleeding risk were reported by 15/35 (42.9%) and 17/35 (48.6%), respectively; increases were perceived by 2/35 (5.7%) and 3/35 (8.6%).Staple-line formation was reported as improved by 24/35 (68.6%), unchanged by 8/35 (22.9%), and slightly disrupted by 3/35 (8.6%).Sixteen respondents (16/35, 45.7%) volunteered initial-antral positioning difficulty and hybrid 60/75 mm sequencing.Reduced fatigue was cited by 16/35 (45.7%), reduced cost by 31/35 (88.6%), and 30/35 (85.7%) would recommend the reloads. ConclusionsSurgeons generally reported favorable workflow, safety, and cost perceptions with 75 mm reloads.Free-text responses identified staged 60/75 mm sequencing at the initial antral firing as a hypothesis-generating technical adaptation.Prospective studies using objective clinical and economic outcomes are warranted.