Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with cardiovascular disease, characterized by a chronic proinflammatory and prothrombotic state. Circulating platelets may differ in size and hemostatic potential. Larger platelets contain more granules and produce greater amounts of vasoactive and prothrombotic factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on platelet count and mean platelet volume in morbidly obese patients.
Methods: 143 females and 62 males comprising a total of 205 patients, who attended the monitoring visits starting in the period prior to the sleeve gastrectomy till the monitoring visit in the 6th month after the surgery, were included into the study. The routine physical examination findings, and laboratory parameters recorded preoperatively were compared with their counterparts obtained in the postoperative 6th month.
Results: Prior to the sleeve gastrectomy, the mean PLT count of the patients was 314.16±76.4 109/L; however a significant reduction was observed in the mean PLT count during the postoperative sixth month, which was calculated as 263.17±65.67 109/L (p<0.001). While the MPV levels were 10.12±0.88 fL, in the preoperative period, they were detected to singnificantly increased to 10.41±1.23 fL, (p>0.001). Platelet counts in women were significantly higher preoperatively and postoperatively than in males. The increase in MPV levels after sleeve gastrectomy was found both in females and in males.
Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that the levels of PLT decreased and MPV increased significantly after patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy and that the decrease was independent of changes in BMI.