How best to combine liver transplantation and bariatric surgery?-Results from a global, web-based survey

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obesity is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide and a significant risk factor for liver failure as seen with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Combining metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) with liver transplantation (LT) appears as attractive strategy to treat both, the underlying liver disease and obesity. However, there is an ongoing debate on best timing and patient selection. This survey was designed to explore the current treatment practice for patients with NASH and obesity worldwide.

METHODS

A web-based survey was conducted in 2022 among bariatric and LT surgeons, and hepatologists from Europe, North and South America and Asia.

RESULTS

The survey completion rate was 74% (145/196). The average respondents were 41-50 years (38%), male (82.1%) and had >20 years of clinical experience (42.1%). Centres with a high LT-caseload for NASH were mainly located in the USA and United Kingdom. Almost 30% have already performed a combination of LT with MBS and 49% plan to do it. A majority of bariatric surgeons prefer MBS before LT (77.2%), whereas most of LT surgeons (52%) would perform MBS during LT. Most respondents (n = 114; 80%) favour sleeve gastrectomy over other bariatric techniques. One third (n = 42; 29.4%) has an established protocol regarding MBS for LT candidates.

CONCLUSION

The most experienced centres doing LT for NASH are in the USA and United Kingdom with growing awareness worldwide. Overall, a combination of MBS and LT has already been performed by a third of respondents. Sleeve gastrectomy is the bariatric technique of choice-preferably performed either before or during LT.

Updates in metabolic bariatric endoscopy

Obesity and its associated comorbid conditions have been increasing globally. Endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) were initially designed to replicate bariatric surgery physiology for those who are not or choose not to be surgical candidates. Now, newer procedures target the complicated pathophysiology underlying obesity and its comorbidities. EBMT has been categorized based on its therapeutic target (stomach or small intestine), but innovations have expanded to include extraintestinal organs including the pancreas. Gastric EBMTs, namely space-occupying balloons, gastroplasty with suturing or plication, and aspiration therapy, are primarily used for weight loss. Small bowel EBMTs are designed to cause malabsorption, epithelial endocrine remodeling, and other changes to intestinal physiology to ultimately improve the metabolic comorbidities of obesity rather than induce weight loss alone. These include duodenal mucosal resurfacing, endoluminal bypass sleeves, and incisionless anastomosis systems. Extraluminal or pancreatic EBMT is aimed to restore the production of normal pancreatic proteins that are involved in the progression of type 2 diabetes. This review discusses the current and new technologies of metabolic bariatric endoscopy, their pros and cons, and areas for future research.

Do Small Scars Lead to Better Results? Analysis of Long-term Outcomes and Satisfaction of Patients Undergoing Anchor-line Abdominoplasty Following Massive Weight Loss

INTRODUCTION

Do smaller scars lead to higher patient satisfaction? The aim of this study is to analyze long-term satisfaction of patients who underwent abdominoplasty after massive weight loss.

METHODS

Patients inclusion criteria: no previous abdominal remodeling procedures, previous bariatric surgery followed by a weight loss of at least 30 kg, weight stability for at least one year, good understanding of the Italian language and standardized pre- and postoperative photographs. We divided the population in 2 groups based on the surgical procedure: group 1, conventional abdominoplasty, and group 2, anchor-line abdominoplasty. All patients presented scars in the epigastric and mesogastric region resulting from previous laparoscopic or laparotomic bariatric surgery and/or other laparoscopic or laparotomic procedures. At least 2 years after surgery, we administered the Italian version of the post-operative BODY-Q module and the SCAR-Q questionnaire.

RESULTS

We enrolled 20 males and 69 females aged between 25 and 55 years, with a mean follow-up of 2 years. Analyzing the questionnaires, it resulted that patients undergoing anchor-line abdominoplasty were significantly more satisfied in the body perception of the result (p = 0.035) and in the satisfaction with abdomen domain (p = 0.0015) compared to the conventional abdominoplasty group. Scars assessment with the SCAR-Q did not show any significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Despite its long scars, the anchor-line pattern shows an overall higher satisfaction, due to the possibility of reducing the abdomen both cranio-caudally and circumferentially. These findings might be an important guide when approaching abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients, debunking the myth "shorter is better".

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The impact of bariatric surgery on liver enzymes in people with obesity: A 5-year observational study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increasing worldwide prevalence, fuelled by rising obesity rates, and weight reduction is the mainstay of its management. We sought to study the effect of bariatric surgery, the most effective long-term treatment for obesity and associated metabolic disorders, on liver function in people with obesity.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 511 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery (71 sleeve gastrectomy and 440 gastric bypass) over 60 months of follow-up. Patients were stratified into groups based on their baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) into Group A (ALT < 40 U/L) and Group B (ALT > 40 U/L). Postoperative follow-up weight loss, liver function tests, HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profiles were collected.

FINDINGS

Bariatric surgery resulted in nadir total weight loss of 33.1% by 24 months (p < 0.001) with no significant difference between groups. In people with raised baseline ALT (Group B), ALT and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels decreased significantly by 4 months postoperatively (p < 0.001) and sustained over 60 months of follow-up. There was also significant and sustained reduction in HbA1c, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol overall with no differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss, improves liver function tests and metabolic outcomes in people with obesity. Bariatric surgery could be a therapeutic consideration for patients with NAFLD associated with severe obesity who have otherwise been unresponsive to conservative management.

The effects of bariatric surgery on cardiac function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is associated with alterations in cardiac structure and haemodynamics leading to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Culminating evidence suggests improvement of cardiac structure and function following bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on cardiac structure and function in patients before and after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting pre- and postoperative cardiac structure and function parameters on cardiac imaging in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty studies of 3332 patients were included. Bariatric surgery is associated with a statistically significant improvement in cardiac geometry and function including a decrease of 12.2% (95% CI 0.096-0.149; p < 0.001) in left ventricular (LV) mass index, an increase of 0.155 (95% CI 0.106-0.205; p < 0.001) in E/A ratio, a decrease of 2.012 mm (95% CI 1.356-2.699; p < 0.001) in left atrial diameter, a decrease of 1.16 mm (95% CI 0.62-1.69; p < 0.001) in LV diastolic dimension, and an increase of 1.636% (95% CI 0.706-2.566; p < 0.001) in LV ejection fraction after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery led to reverse remodelling and improvement in cardiac geometry and function driven by metabolic and haemodynamic factors.

The timing of energy intake

The aim of the paper is to review the current evidence on the impact of 'the timing of energy intake' on the risk of developing obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. The prevalence of obesity is currently increasing worldwide thus becoming a severe health burden for most countries. Indeed, obesity represents a risk factor for several non-communicable diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, CVD and overall mortality. In order to treat obesity, several pharmacological approaches have been developed and are indicated for subjects with obesity with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 27 kg/m2 and obesity-related comorbidities. For severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2), bariatric surgery represents a promising approach. The most common bariatric surgical procedures are represented by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable band, laparoscopic gastric sleeve and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Both anti-obesity pharmacological and surgical treatments require change in lifestyle. When a nutritional plan is established, attention is usually paid to macronutrient composition and energy intake, while 'the time of food' is not taken into account. Chronotype, which is the attitude of a subject to carry out most of their daily activities in the first (morning chronotype) or second half (evening chronotype) of the day, has been reported to have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases as well as eating speed. Thus, adopting a physiological timing of energy intake could be an additional strategy to potentiate the current anti-obesity approaches.

Bariatric Surgery as a Bridge to Facilitate Renal Transplantation in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

PURPOSE

Renal transplantation (RT) is not recommended above BMI 40 kg/m2 as post-operative risks (delayed graft function, wound complications) are increased. Bariatric surgery (BS) results in sustained long-term weight loss. However, renal failure (RF) patients are theoretically higher risk candidates. We aim to investigate the safety of BS in patients with RF and the effect of BS on access to renal transplantation.

METHODS

We reviewed data from 31 patients with RF referred for BS between 2013 and 2021. We compared the outcomes of patients with RF who underwent BS to those who were referred but did not undergo BS. Controls matched for age/BMI/comorbidity (MC) but without RF were used for comparison.

RESULTS

Of 31 patients referred, 19 proceeded with BS (68% female, median age 52 years, BMI 46.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2) and 12 did not (58% female, median age 58, mean BMI 41.5 ± 4.1). Excess body weight loss (EBWL) was 71.2% ± 20.2% at 2 years in RF patients versus 66.0% ± 28.0% in MC patients. In the operated group, 11/19 (58%) patients reached their treatment target (six transplanted, five placed on waiting list) versus 3/12 (25%) in unoperated patients (three transplanted). There was no difference in perioperative complications between RF and MC groups. Long-term, there were seven deaths amongst RF patients (two operated, five unoperated), none amongst the MC group.

CONCLUSION

BS in patients with RF increased access to RT and was safe and effective. We therefore recommend consideration of BS in patients with obesity and RF in specialised units.

Management of Severe Malnutrition Post-bariatric Surgery Using Artificial Nutrition

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery (BS) results in major and sustained weight loss and improves comorbidities in patients with obesity but can also lead to malnutrition, especially through severe malabsorption and/or surgical complications. Little is known about the efficacy of artificial nutrition (AN) in this setting.

METHODS

In this case series, we describe data from consecutive severely malnourished patients after BS (resectional and non-resectional), managed by AN at our hospital unit over a 4-year period.

RESULTS

Between January 2018 and June 2022, 18 patients (mean ± SD age 42.2 ± 10.4 years, 94% women) required AN following BS complications. At the time of AN initiation, more than half of the patients (53%) had multiple revisional surgeries (up to four). Mean BMI was 49.7 ± 11.3 kg/m2 before BS and 29.6 ± 9.6 kg/m2 when AN was initiated. Most patients (n=16, 90%) received enteral nutrition. AN management resulted in weight regain (+4.7kg ± 8.0, p=0.034), increased serum albumin (+28%, p=0.02), pre-albumin (+88%, p=0.002), and handgrip strength (+38%, p=0.078). No major AN complication nor death was observed. Median total AN duration was 4.5 months [1-12]. During follow-up, the cumulative duration of hospitalization was 33 days [4-88] with a median of 2.5 hospitalizations [1-8] per patient.

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition can occur after any BS procedure, and AN when required in this setting appears safe and effective on nutritional parameters. It is important to recognize the potential risk factors for malnutrition, which include excessive weight loss resulting from surgical complications, eating disorders, multiple revisional BS, and pregnancy.

Management of Malnutrition and Hepatic Impairment After Duodenal Switch

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition and liver impairment after duodenal switch (DS) are possible and undesired complications, often conservatively treated. However, in specific cases, surgical revision may be necessary. This study aims to describe outcomes achieved by two bariatric surgery centers and address effectiveness and safety of revisional surgical procedures to resolve these complications.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed in two bariatric surgery centers from 2008 to 2022. Patients who required revisional surgery to treat malnutrition and/or liver impairment refractory to nutritional and total parenteral nutrition intervention (TPN) after duodenal switch were included. No comparisons were performed due to the descriptive nature of this study.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients underwent revisional surgery, the mean age was 44.7, the 53.8% were females, and the mean preoperative BMI was 54.7 kg/m2; the mean time between DS and revisional procedure was 26.5 months, and 69.1% of patients were placed on TPN. One patient developed hepatic encephalopathy; one patient presented with ascites, pleural effusion, and renal insufficiency, undergoing reoperation after revisional procedure due to a perforated ileal loop. Mortality rate was 0%; all patients regained weight after the revisional procedure, and the mean total protein and albumin blood levels 12 months after surgery were 6.3 and 3.6 g/dl, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

While refractory malnutrition and/or liver failure are rare among patients post-DS, if underdiagnosed and untreated, this can lead to irreversible outcomes and death. All revisional procedures included in this study resulted in improvement of the nutritional status and reversal of liver impairment, with low complication rates.

First report of outcomes from the patient-reported outcome measures program in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) is one of the most important outcomes to metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients but was not measured by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). A patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) program pilot started in 2016 with MBSAQIP implementation in 2019.

OBJECTIVES

To measure how MBS impacts patient HRQoL 1 and 2 years after primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (bypass) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve).

SETTING

The 82 centers in the United States participating in the MBSAQIP PROMs program.

METHODS

Preoperative HRQoL scores and satisfaction were compared with postoperative scores 1 and 2 years after surgery with univariate comparisons and adjusted regression models.

RESULTS

There were 13,901 PROMs responses from 11,146 patients. Patient satisfaction with their MBS decision was 97%. On average, patients had significant improvement in Obesity-related Problem (OP) scores (65.8 preoperatively, 23.0 at 1 yr, and 26.3 at 2 yr; P <.05), Obesity and Weight-Loss Quality-of-Life (OWLQOL) scores (36.7 preoperatively, 77.2 at 1 yr, and 74.6 at 2 yr; P < .05), their physical health (39.2 preoperatively versus 51.7 at 1 yr and 50.0 at 2 yr), and mental health (45.6 preoperatively versus 53.3 at 1 yr and 51.4 at 2 yr). Compared with bypass patients, sleeve patients had significantly lower odds of having low OP scores postoperatively (odds ratio [95% CI) ] .67 [.53, .83]) and lower odds of high OWLQOL (.61 [.48, .77]) at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

All patients regardless of procedure on average report significant improvement in their scores for OP, OWLQOL, and physical and mental health after MBS. At 1 and 2 years, bypass patients reported greater improvement in their obesity-related PROMs than sleeve patients.

Use of targeted educational resources to improve robotic bariatric surgery training

BACKGROUND

Evidence for how to best train surgical residents for robotic bariatric procedures is lacking. We developed targeted educational resources to promote progression on the robotic bariatric learning curve. This study aimed to characterize the effect of resources on resident participation in robotic bariatric procedures.

METHODS

Performance metrics from the da Vinci Surgical System were retrospectively reviewed for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) cases involving general surgery trainees with a single robotic bariatric surgeon. Pictorial case guides and narrated operative videos were developed for these procedures and disseminated to trainees. Percent active control time (%ACT)-amount of trainee console time spent in active instrument manipulations over total active time from both consoles-was the primary outcome measure following dissemination. One-way ANOVA, Student's t-tests, and Pearson correlations were applied.

RESULTS

From September 2020 to July 2021, 50 cases (54% SG, 46% RYGB) involving 14 unique trainees (PGY1-PGY5) were included. From November 2021 to May 2022 following dissemination, 29 cases (34% SG, 66% RYGB) involving 8 unique trainees were included. Mean %ACT significantly increased across most trainee groups following resource distribution: 21% versus 38% for PGY3s (p = 0.087), 32% versus 45% for PGY4s (p = 0.0009), and 38% versus 57% for PGY5s (p = 0.0015) and remained significant when stratified by case type. Progressive trainee %ACT was not associated with total active time for SG cases before or after intervention (pre r = - 0.0019, p = 0.9; post r = - 0.039, p = 0.9). It was moderately positively associated with total active time for RYGB cases before dissemination (r = 0.46, p = 0.027) but lost this association following intervention (r = 0.16, p = 0.5).

CONCLUSION

Use of targeted educational resources promoted increases in trainee participation in robotic bariatric procedures with more time spent actively operating at the console. As educators continue to develop robotic training curricula, efforts should include high-quality resource development for other sub-specialty procedures. Future work will examine the impact of increased trainee participation on clinical and patient outcomes.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery in patients with class I obesity; a two-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

Patients with class I obesity may need metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in the presence of obesity-associated medical problems, but MBS in this class of obesity is under debate. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of MBS in patients with class I obesity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This study was a historical cohort carried out on 112 patients with class I obesity with body mass index (BMI) of 30-35 kg/m2 with a 24-month follow-up underwent MBS at Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital. The required data were extracted through the Iran National Obesity Surgery Database. The data required for the study consisted of demographic information such as age, gender, and obesity-associated medical problems like type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and dyslipidemia before surgery, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 38.10 ± 10.04 years; mean BMI was 32.96 ± 1.35 kg/m2 and 83.9% (n = 94) of patients were female. Out of 18 patients with T2DM, 11 patients (61.11%) had complete remission and seven patients (38.88%) had partial remission. Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were observed in 18 (16.07%), 23 (20.53%), 43 (38.39%), and 13 patients (11.60%) before surgery and resolved at 24-month follow-up. Post-operative complications during the 24-month follow-up were checked to assess safety and there were no De novo gastroesophageal reflux disease, intolerance, leakage, pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, incisional hernia, hypoalbuminemia (Albumin < 3.5 g/dl), excessive weight loss (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) at any time during 24-months follow-ups and mortality. Early complications occurred as splenic injury in one case (0.89%), wound infection in one patient (0.89%), and extra-luminal bleeding in 10 (8.92%) after surgery, without any mortality.

CONCLUSION

MBS is safe and effective in class I obesity and can be considered in selected patients with obesity-associated medical problems.

Healthcare payment mechanism: Execution results of bundled payment program for bariatric surgery diagnosis in its first year of implementation in Chile

Introduction

More than 600 thousand people in Chile live with morbid obesity. Effective, safe, cost-effective therapeutic interventions are critical for healthcare systems and insurance schemes. In 2022, two bundled payment codes for bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and gastric sleeve) were incorporated into the National Health Fund's free-choice modality fee scheme. The objective was to characterize the execution of this payment mechanism program associated with bariatric surgery diagnosis in its first year of implementation.More than six hundred thousand people in Chile are estimated to live with morbid obesity. Effective, safe, cost-effective therapeutic interventions are critical for health systems and insurance schemes. In 2022, FONASA incorporated two Bariatric Surgery codes into the Free Choice Modality: Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy. Our objective was to characterize the execution of the Bariatric Surgery Bundled Payment Program in its first year of implementation.

Methods

Descriptive and observational study of the pragmatic approach of the national execution of the payment associated with diagnosis in bariatric surgery. We examined sociodemographic variables (sex, age brackets, and National Health Fund tranches) and characterization of surgeries by code broken down by public or private provider, period of issue, unit cost, co-payment, and medical loans between March and December 2022.

Results

We recorded n = 13 118 surgeries (45.81% bypass versus 54.19% sleeve), of which n = 2424 (18.48%) used medical loans. A total of 85.01% (p = 0.01) of the procedures were in women, in people between 35 and 39 years of age (20.15%), and 45.12% in beneficiaries of tranche B. Private providers performed a total of 99.21% of the surgeries. Ten accounted for 50% of the activity (range n = 1200 to 426 surgeries per year; n = 4.8 to 1.7 surgeries per working day). Total program expenditure was $71 626 948 350 CLP, accounting for 5.04% of the total activity of the national Diagnosis Associated Payment Program.

Conclusions

The implementation of this bariatric surgery voucher benefited more than 13 thousand people living with obesity, mostly women of productive ages and with purchasing capacity. As an equity strategy, regardless of the access route through the voucher, it will be important to safeguard the activity in the public network.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Left Ventricular Structure and Function

BACKGROUND

Obesity leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and death, including heart failure. Bariatric surgery has been proven to be the most effective long-term weight management treatment. This study investigated the changes in cardiac structure and function after bariatric surgery, including left ventricular global longitudinal strain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

There were 398 consecutive patients who underwent bariatric surgery with pre- and postoperative transthoracic echocardiographic imaging at a US health system between 2004 and 2019. We compared cardiovascular risk factors and echocardiographic parameters between baseline and follow-up at least 6 months postoperatively. Along with decreases in weight postoperatively, there were significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including reduction in systolic blood pressure levels from 132 mm Hg (25th-75th percentile: 120-148 mm Hg) to 127 mm Hg (115-140 mm Hg; P=0.003), glycated hemoglobin levels from 6.5% (5.9%-7.6%) to 5.7% (5.4%-6.3%; P<0.001), and low-density lipoprotein levels from 97 mg/dL (74-121 mg/dL) to 86 mg/dL (63-106 mg/dL; P<0.001). Left ventricular mass decreased from 205 g (165-261 g) to 190 g (151-236 g; P<0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 58% (55%-61%) to 60% (55%-64%; P<0.001), and left ventricular global longitudinal strain improved from -15.7% (-14.3% to -17.5%) to -18.6% (-16.0% to -20.3%; P<0.001) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown the long-term impact of bariatric surgery on cardiac structure and function, with reductions in left ventricular mass and improvement in left ventricular global longitudinal strain. These findings support the cardiovascular benefits of bariatric surgery.

Sleeve gastrectomy - still popular bariatric method

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is currently the most common multifactorial disease affecting almost all social strata of the population. Conservative therapy of obesity usually succeeds in reducing excess weight by an average of 10-15%. After surgical treatment of severe obesity (bariatric surgery), the average decrease in excess weight is several times greater and, in most cases, has a long-term positive effect on the overall clinical condition of the patients.

METHODS

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most used bariatric method of treating severe obesity today. The principle of SG is a vertical resection of a major portion of the gastric greater curvature. After the resection, the residual stomach has the shape of a sleeve with a remaining volume of about 120-150 ml. The effect of the method is both restrictive and hormonal, because after SG, the plasma level of active ghrelin decreases in the long term, among other things.

CONCLUSION

Obesity is considered one of the most serious global health problems today. In 2018 a total of 696,191 bariatric procedures were performed worldwide. Sleeve gastrectomy was originally used in high-risk severely obese patients as the first stage of a duodenal switch (DS) or gastric bypass. Since 2003, this method has been used independently because for most of the patients, SG had a sufficient effect on weight reduction and improvement of comorbidities, and that is why since 2015, SG has become the most frequently used bariatric method.

[Serum ghrelin changes after bariatric surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of bariatric surgery on serum ghrelin in patients with morbid obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We experimentally analyzed serum ghrelin in 96 rats. Of these, 84 rats underwent sleeve gastrectomy, and 12 rats comprised the control group (no surgery). We measured body weight and serum ghrelin using ELISA method after 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after surgery. Serum ghrelin was studied before and after bariatric surgery in 23 patients with morbid obesity.

RESULTS

Baseline serum ghrelin was lower in larger rats and obese patients compared to normal body weight. We found no decrease in serum ghrelin after resection of fundal ghrelin-releasing part of the stomach.

CONCLUSION

Stomach volume changes after restrictive bariatric surgery (sleeve resection or gastroplication) are accompanied by mild increase in serum ghrelin. This increment is greater after more significant body weight loss after surgery. Similar researches will help to find new treatment strategies for pathological obesity.

The Degree of Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia Is Associated with Risk of Postoperative Complications in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND

The incidence and impact of hypoalbuminemia in bariatric surgery patients is poorly characterized. We describe its distribution in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients undergoing primary or revision surgeries and assess its impact on postoperative complications.

METHODS

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program Database (2015 to 2021) was analyzed. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as Severe (< 3 g/dL), Moderate (3 ≤ 3.5 g/dL), Mild (3.5 ≤ 4 g/dL), or Normal (≥ 4 g/dL). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios of postoperative complications compared to those with Normal albumin after controlling for procedure, age, gender, race, body mass index, functional status, American Society of Anesthesia class, and operative length.

RESULTS

A total of 817,310 patients undergoing Primary surgery and 69,938 patients undergoing Revision/Conversion ("Revision") surgery were analyzed. The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia was as follows (Primary, Revision): Severe, 0.3%, 0.6%; Moderate, 5.2%, 6.5%; Mild, 28.3%, 31.4%; Normal, 66.2%, 61.4%. Primary and Revision patients with hypoalbuminemia had a significantly higher prevalence (p < 0.01) of several co-morbidities, including hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes. Any degree of hypoalbuminemia increased the odds ratio of several complications in Primary and Revision patients, including readmission, intervention, and reoperation. In Primary patients, all levels of hypoalbuminemia also increased the odds ratio of unplanned intubation, intensive care unit admission, and venous thromboembolism requiring therapy.

CONCLUSION

Over 30% of patients present with hypoalbuminemia. Even mild hypoalbuminemia was associated with an increased rate of several complications including readmission, intervention, and reoperation. Ensuring nutritional optimization, especially prior to revision surgery, may improve outcomes in this challenging population.

Early Experience with the Senhance Surgical System in Bariatric Surgery

Background and Objectives

Robotic-assisted surgery advancements have paralleled growing bariatric surgery demands. The Senhance robotic platform offers an alternative to the da Vinci surgical system but there are limited studies evaluating the Senhance system in bariatric surgery. This study aims to review a single surgeon's experience comparing outcomes between traditional laparoscopic and Senhance-assisted sleeve gastrectomy.

Materials and Methods

All sleeve gastrectomies performed laparoscopically, Senhance-assisted, or da Vinci-assisted by a single surgeon at an academic center from January 2019 to July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary outcomes and quality measures were 30-day complications, operative times and length of stay.

Results

A total of 268 patients, including 162 laparoscopic, 92 Senhance, and 14 da Vinci cases, were included. Operative times were significantly longer with Senhance (115.7 min) and da Vinci (122.7 min), compared to laparoscopic (94.8 min, P < .0001). Length of stay (measured in days) was significantly longer in the Senhance (1.8) and da Vinci (2.2) groups compared to laparoscopic cases (1.5, P < .0001). These differences remained significant after controlling for age, sex and body mass index. 30-day complication rates were 8.7% (n = 8) in the Senhance group, 7.1% (n = 1) in the da Vinci group and 2.5% (n = 4) in the laparoscopic group (P = .0567).

Conclusion

Senhance-assisted sleeve gastrectomy is safe in bariatric surgery and comparable to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with respect to 30-day complications.

Intragastric balloons for obesity: critical review of device design, efficacy, tolerability, and unmet clinical needs

INTRODUCTION

Sustaining a healthy weight is a challenge and obesity, with associated risk of co-morbidities, is a major public health concern. Bariatric surgery has shown a great promise for many where pharmacological and lifestyle interventions failed to work. However, challenges and limitations associated with bariatric surgery has pushed the demand for less invasive, reversible (anatomically) interventions, such as intragastric balloons (IGBs).

AREAS COVERED

This review critically appraises IGBs used in the past, present, and those in clinical trials, discussing the device designs, limitations, placement and removal techniques, patient eligibility, efficacy, and safety issues.

EXPERT OPINION

Several intragastric balloons were developed over the years that brought excitement to patients and healthcare professionals alike. Albeit good efficacy, there had been several safety issues reported with IGBs such as spontaneous deflation, intestinal occlusion, gut perforation, and mucosal ulcerations. This led to evolution of IGBs design; device material, filling mechanism, fluid type, inflation volume, and further innovations to ease ingestion and removal of device. There are some IGB devices under development aimed to swallow like a conventional pill and excrete naturally through defecation, however, how successful they will be in clinical practice in terms of their efficacy and tolerability remains to be seen in the future.

Revisional bariatric surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease: characterizing patient and procedural factors and 30-day outcomes for a retrospective cohort of 4412 patients

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a well-established potential consequence of bariatric surgery and can require revisional surgery. Our understanding of the population requiring revision is limited. In this study, we aim to characterize patients requiring revisional surgery for GERD to understand their perioperative risks and identify strategies to improve their outcomes.

METHODS

Using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) registry, a retrospective cohort of patients who required revisional surgery for GERD in 2020 was identified. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to assess correlations between baseline characteristics and morbidity.

RESULTS

4412 patients required revisional surgery for GERD, encompassing 24% of all conversion procedures. In most cases, patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as their original surgery (n = 3535, 80.1%). The revisional surgery for most patients was a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 3722, 84.4%). Major complications occurred in 527 patients (11.9%) and 10 patients (0.23%) died within 30 days of revisional surgery. Major complications included anastomotic leak in 31 patients (0.70%) and gastrointestinal bleeding in 38 patients (0.86%). Multivariable analyses revealed that operative length, pre-operative antacid use, and RYGB were predictors of major complications.

CONCLUSION

GERD is the second most common indication for revisional surgery in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent SG as their initial procedure were the primary group who required revisional surgery for GERD; most underwent revision via RYGB. Further inquiry is needed to tailor operative approaches and pre-operative optimization for revisional surgery patients.

Shifting paradigms: protocol implementation to reduce length of stay for bariatric surgery following the pandemic at a high volume bariatric center

BACKGROUND

With the Covid-19 pandemic reducing the capacity to perform elective bariatric surgical cases, a multidisciplinary approach to reducing length of stay has been essential to continue providing this service. In conjunction with the use of our local ERAS protocols, same day discharge (SDD) and early next day discharge (NDD) for bariatric surgery is becoming more of a reality.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of our new protocols targeted at reducing length of stay (LOS) for our bariatric surgery patients during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of readmission and complications compared to baseline data.

METHODS

The MBSAQIP data set was analyzed identifying patients who underwent laparoscopic roux-en- Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) from April to November 2021. Mean LOS and complication rates including re-admission in this baseline group were documented. This was compared to a cohort who underwent the surgeries between December 2021 and February 2022 under our new protocols for early discharge.

RESULTS

195 patients underwent bariatric surgery in the baseline group and 87 patients in the early discharge cohort were included. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean LOS comparing baseline group (34.5 h) and next day PACU discharges (25 h) with P = 0.004. No increase in complication rate from the early discharge cohort against the baseline group. (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

SDD and NDD in carefully selected bariatric surgery patients is feasible with good outcomes. With ERAS protocols as a foundation and a multidisciplinary approach, this can be achieved in spite of pressures placed on bariatric units by the pandemic.

Perioperative use of low dose haloperidol safely reduces episodes of postoperative nausea/vomiting and length of stay following elective minimally invasive bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION

While total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) protocols include Dexamethasone and Ondansetron prophylaxis, bariatric patients continue to be considered at particularly high risk for postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV). A multimodal approach for prophylaxis is recommended by the Bariatric Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society however, there remains a lack of consensus on the optimal strategy to manage PONV in these patients. Haloperidol has been shown at low doses to have a therapeutic effect in treatment of refractory nausea and in PONV prophylaxis in other high risk surgical populations. We sought to investigate its efficacy as a prophylactic medication for PONV in the bariatric population and to identify which perioperative strategies were most effective at reducing episodes of PONV.

METHODS

An institutional bariatric database was created by retrospectively reviewing patients undergoing elective minimally invasive bariatric procedures from 2018 to 2022. Demographic data reviewed included age, gender, preoperative body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and primary language. Primary endpoints included patient reported episodes of PONV, total doses of Ondansetron administered, need for a second antiemetic (rescue medication), complication rate (most commonly readmission within 30 days), and length of stay. Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test, and ANOVA were used to evaluate the effect of perioperative management on various endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 475 patients were analyzed with Haloperidol being utilized in 15.8% of all patients. Patients receiving Haloperidol were less likely to require Ondansetron outside of the immediate perioperative period (34.7% vs. 49.8%, p = 0.02), experienced less PONV (41.3% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.01) and also had a decreased median length of stay (27.3 vs. 35.8 h, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of low dose Haloperidol to Bariatric ERAS protocols decreases incidence of PONV and the need for additional antiemetic coverage resulting in a significantly shorter length of stay, increasing the likelihood of safe discharge on postoperative day 1.

Reduced risk of de novo Barrett esophagus after bariatric surgery: a national database study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity and may decrease the morbidity and mortality of obesity-associated cancers.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the risk of a new diagnosis of Barrett esophagus (BE) following bariatric surgery compared to screening colonoscopy controls.

SETTING

Large national database including patients who received care in inpatient, outpatient, and specialty care services.

METHODS

A national healthcare database (TriNetX, LLC) was used for this analysis. Cases included adults (aged ≥18 yr) who had undergone either sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Controls included adults undergoing screening colonoscopy and an esophagoduodenoscopy on the same day and had never undergone bariatric surgery. Cases and controls were propensity-matched for confounders. The risk of de novo diagnosis of BE at least 1 year after bariatric surgery was compared between cases and controls. Secondary analyses examined the effect of bariatric surgery on metabolic outcomes such as weight loss and body mass index (BMI). The risk of de novo diagnosis of BE in SG was compared with RYGB. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were used to report on these associations.

RESULTS

In the propensity-matched analysis, patients who had undergone a bariatric surgical procedure showed a significantly reduced risk of de novo BE when compared with screening colonoscopy controls (.67 [.48, .94]). There was substantial reduction in weight and BMI in the bariatric surgery group when compared with baseline. There was no significant difference in de novo BE diagnosis between the propensity-matched SG and RYGB groups (.77 [.5, 1.2]).

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery (RYGB or SG) had a lower risk of being diagnosed with BE compared with screening colonoscopy controls who did not receive bariatric surgery. This effect appears to be largely mediated by reduction in weight and BMI.

Clinical practice guidelines for perioperative care in bariatric surgery 2023: Adapted ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) guidelines with consensual voting of the working group of the Joint Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Section of the Czech Surgery…

INTRODUCTION

Currently, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for the morbid obesity. It provides sustained weight loss as well as demonstrated positive effects on obesity-related comorbidities. The number of procedures performed worldwide has seen a sharp increase in the past twenty years. Therefore, an effort has been developed to establish a consensus in perioperative care based on best evidence.

METHODS

The working group of the Joint Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Section of the Czech Surgery Society and Czech Society of Obesitology prepared clinical practice guidelines for the ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) concept in perioperative care in bariatric surgery. The working group based its guidelines on ERAS guidelines published in 2021. The working group adopted the original text and then adapted the text and added its comments to specific items as appropriate. Electronic voting of all members of the working group was the final phase, by which the strength of consensus was expressed with respect to individual elements of the guidelines.

RESULTS

The Czech working group reached a consensus with ERABS (enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery) guidelines for most elements. The quality of evidence is low for some interventions of the ERAS protocol for bariatric surgery. Therefore, extrapolation from other surgeries and fields is needed for evidence-based practice.

CONCLUSION

The guidelines are intended for clinical practice in bariatric surgery with the ERAS protocol based on updated evidence and guidelines. It is based on recent and comprehensive ERAS guidelines adopted and adapted by the Czech working group of the Joint Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Section of the Czech Surgery Society and Czech Society of Obesitology. Some supplementations and specifications are reflected in comments added to the Czech version.

Impact of functional status on 30-day resource utilization and organ system complications following index bariatric surgery: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgical procedures carry an appreciable risk profile despite their elective nature. Identified risk factors for procedural complications are often limited to medical comorbidities. This study assesses the impact of functional status on resource utilization and organ system complications following bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients undergoing elective, index bariatric surgery from American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participating hospitals from 2015 to 2019 ( n =65 627). The primary independent variable was functional status. The primary outcome was unplanned resource utilization. Secondary outcomes included composite organ system complications and mortality. The impact of functional status was first investigated with univariate analyses. Survival and multivariate analyses were then performed on select complications with clinically and statistically significant incidence in the dependent cohort.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, dependent functional status was associated with unplanned resource utilization [12.1% (27/223) vs. 4.1% (2661/65 404)]; relative risk, 2.98 (95% CI, 2.09-4.25); P < 0.001] and haematologic/infectious complications [6.7% (15/223) vs. 2.4% (1540/65 404); relative risk, 2.86 (95% CI, 1.75-4.67); P < 0.001]. Survival analysis demonstrated a significantly shorter time to both events in patients with dependent functional status ( P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, dependent functional status was an independent predictor of unplanned resource utilization[adjusted odds ratio 2.17 (95% CI, 1.27-3.50); P = 0.003; model c-statistic, 0.572]) and haematologic/infectious complications [adjusted odds ratio, 2.20 ([95% CI, 1.14-3.86); P = 0.011; model c-statistic, 0.579].

CONCLUSION

Patients with dependent functional status are at an elevated risk of unplanned resource utilization and haematologic/infectious complications following index bariatric surgery. The increased risk cannot be explained by medical comorbidities alone.