“Mini,” “Midi,” and “Super” Sleeves: Clarifying Misleading Labels in Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most frequently performed metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) worldwide, accounting for approximately 45–50% of all cases according to the 8th IFSO Global Registry, with similar figures reported in contemporary international and regional analyses.
This procedural dominance reflects SG’s relative technical simplicity, favorable safety profile, and durable weight loss outcomes.
Despite its perceived simplicity, SG remains technically variable. Key intraoperative differences, particularly in calibration tube (bougie) size and the point of antral transection, affect the final volume and may influence outcomes. The absence of standardized criteria for these steps has fostered inconsistencies in both practice and nomenclature