Laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass: a randomized study of outcomes, quality of life, and costs

Three-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial comparing laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass

OBJECTIVE

To analyze long-term weight loss, changes in comorbidities and quality of life, and late complications after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Early results from our prospective randomized trial comparing the outcome of laparoscopic versus open gastric bypass demonstrated less postoperative pain, shorter length of hospital stay, fewer wound-related complications, and faster convalescence for patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass.

METHODS

Between May 1999 and March 2001, 155 morbidly obese patients were enrolled in this prospective trial, in which 79 patients were randomized to laparoscopic gastric bypass and 76 to open gastric bypass. Two patients in the laparoscopic group required conversion to open surgery; their data were analyzed within the laparoscopic group on an intention-to-treat basis. The 2 groups were well matched for body mass index, age, and gender. Outcome evaluation included weight loss, changes in comorbidities and quality of life, and late complications.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 39+/-8 months. There were no significant differences in the percent of excess body weight loss between the 2 groups at the 3-year follow-up (77% for laparoscopic versus 67% for open). The rate of improvement or resolution of comorbidities was similar between groups. Improvement in quality of life, measured by the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire, was observed in both groups without significant differences between groups. Late complications were similar between groups except for the rate of incisional hernia, which was significantly greater after open gastric bypass (39% versus 5%, P<0.01), and the rate of cholecystectomy, which was greater after laparoscopic gastric bypass (28% versus 5%, P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized trial with a 3-year follow-up, we found that laparoscopic gastric bypass was equally effective as open gastric bypass with respect to weight loss and improvement in comorbidities and quality of life. A major advantage at long-term follow-up for patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass was the reduction in the rate of incisional hernia.

The current role of staging laparoscopy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a review

In the absence of metastatic disease patients with localized or locally advanced pancreatic cancer can benefit from surgical resection or chemoradiation. Despite the advances of imaging technology, however, noninvasive staging modalities are still inaccurate in identifying small volume metastatic disease leading potentially to inappropriate treatment and avoidable morbidity in a subgroup of patients. Staging laparoscopy may identify those patients with unsuspected metastatic disease on preoperative imaging and prevent unnecessary laparotomy or chemoradiation. A controversy exists, however, as to whether the procedure should be used routinely or selectively in pancreatic cancer patients with no evidence of metastasis on noninvasive staging. This review aims to assess the current role of staging laparoscopy by examining its diagnostic accuracy and ability to prevent unnecessary treatment as well as its morbidity, oncologic effect and cost-effectiveness. The available literature will be evaluated critically, its limitations identified and exisiting controversies addressed.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a novel operation for the obese patient with achalasia

Morbid obesity is a disease encompassing multiple, significant comorbidities. The only current, reliable, durable treatment of obesity is surgical intervention, most commonly gastric bypass. Achalasia, a swallowing disorder of esophageal motility and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, is rarely seen in the morbidly obese patient. Treatment is directed at disruption of the LES to allow passage of food. As medical management usually fails in both disease processes, surgical treatment is often chosen. The patient with both morbid obesity and achalasia presents an unusual challenge for surgical treatment. The standard surgical approach for each disease does not address the other, and may have deleterious consequences on the other condition if approached unilaterally. We present the first case of a patient treated with a concomitant laparoscopic esophagogastric myotomy (LEM) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP).

Endoscopic issues in the post-gastric bypass patient

Obesity in the United States poses a tremendous health risk to approximately one third of the population. As this epidemic grows, the number of bariatric surgeries performed will also increase. Although obesity itself is not gender specific, 85% of bariatric surgeries are performed in women. This article reviews some of the commonly performed weight-reduction surgeries and their associated complications. Particular emphasis is placed on the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of endoscopy in this population.

Perforating marginal ulcers after laparoscopic gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LGB) can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. This article describes the first presentation of a known disease entity after LGB: perforating marginal ulcers of the jejunum immediately distal to the gastrojejunal anastomosis.

METHODS

A chart review of 902 LGB procedures performed by a single surgeon between April 2000 and September 2004 identified eight patients with perforating marginal ulcers.

RESULTS

The patients presented an average of 157 days (range, 53-374 days) after LGB. All the patients were treated using laparoscopic primary closure followed by medical therapy. Morbidity, in one patient only, consisted of two abdominal fluid collections requiring separate drainage procedures. There was no mortality. The average follow-up period was 13 months (range, 2-18 months). No patient experienced recurrent ulceration.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the etiology is unclear, marginal ulcers, a known complication of gastrojejunostomy, may present as perforating ulcers after LGB in a characteristic fashion and can be managed laparoscopically.

Endoscopic evaluation of the gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

A significant and potentially deadly complication of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is leakage from the gastrojejunostomy (GJ). The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative endoscopy in preventing postoperative anastomotic leakage.

METHODS

The study enrolled 340 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures performed from January 2001 to July 2004. In all cases, an endoscopist performed video gastroscopy to evaluate the integrity of the GJ using air insufflation of the pouch after distal clamping of the Roux limb. Intraoperative leaks were repaired and the anastomosis was retested. Demographic, operative, and endoscopic data were collected and analyzed. Logistic regression was used in both univariate and multivariate modeling to identify independent preoperative variables associated with the presence of intraoperative leak. Model parameters were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. From these estimates, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative anastomotic leaks or mortalities in our series. Overall, endoscopic evaluation of the GJ resulted in the detection of 56 intraoperative leaks (16.4%). There was a significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative leakage for patients older than 40 years (21%) vs those younger than 40 years (10.5%; p = 0.01). In the initial 91 cases, the GJ was performed by the end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) technique; the subsequent 249 were performed with a combination of linear stapling and handsewn technique. There was a trend toward more leakage in the GIA group (18%) versus EEA (12%); however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.188). Age remained an independent risk factor for leak detected intraoperatively in the multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for covariates. Age >40 years increased the risk of intraoperative leakage by 2.3 times (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.6; p = 0.01). The rate of postoperative anastomotic stricture was the same among patients detected with an intraoperative leak (5.4%) and those without (5.6%; p = 0.934).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic evaluation of the GJ is a sensitive and reliable technique for demonstrating anastomotic integrity and preventing postoperative morbidity after gastric bypass. Age >40 years was identified as an independent risk factor for intraoperative leak in this series.

Assessment of obesity-related comorbidities: a novel scheme for evaluating bariatric surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery serves as the superior means of achieving sustained weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities. Results of bariatric surgery have been reported qualitatively without standardized measurement of comorbidity response. The objective of this work was to develop a clinically based, standardized system for scaled assessment of the major comorbidities of obesity in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed a standardized grading scheme for the major comorbidities of obesity, with each condition scored from 0 to 5, according to severity. Data were prospectively collected on 226 patients. Ninety patients have already undergone gastric bypass and are being followed at regular intervals postoperatively. Longest current followup interval is 1 year.

RESULTS

Preoperative evaluation of comorbidities identified a total of 1,356 medical disorders. Anatomic comorbidities were most prevalent as a category, although psychosocial impairment was the most common single condition. The majority of comorbidities in our patient population were graded mild (score of 1) to moderate (score of 3). Immediate (2 weeks) followup was available for all operated patients and ranged in number to 1 year postoperatively, depending on the date of operation. Statistically significant reduction in the severity of several comorbidities was observed at postoperative evaluation (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This scheme for assessment of obesity-related comorbidities facilitates evaluation of bariatric surgical patients. The system allows standardized preoperative characterization of a bariatric patient population and uniform postoperative longitudinal assessment of changes in comorbidities after weight reduction operation.

Hospital costs associated with bariatric procedures in the United States

BACKGROUND

Weight loss operations are being performed at an exponentially increasing rate. Although highly effective for controlling obesity and its complications, the operations are expensive. The operations are thought to be cost-effective, but there has not been an analysis of the costs associated with these procedures at a national level precluding definitive cost-effectiveness studies useful for policy determination.

METHODS

The 2001 and 2002 National Inpatient Survey (NIS) was used to establish costs attributable to bariatric surgery. This survey contains discharge information for approximately 20% of all US hospital admissions in any given year. Bariatric procedures were identified by ICD-9-CM procedures codes and diagnostic related group (DRG) 288 (operating room [OR] procedures for obesity).

RESULTS

Of the commonly performed operations, laparoscopic gastric bypass had the lowest hospital charges (19,794 dollars/case) relative to open gastric bypass (22,313 dollars/case) and laparoscopic banding procedures (25,355 dollars/case). Laparoscopic gastric bypass resulted in fewer charges because of a 1-day shorter median length of stay.

DISCUSSION

These data provide benchmarks for the costs associated with the weight loss procedures commonly performed in the United States. Although laparoscopic gastric bypass is the lease costly approach to bariatric surgery, the fact that costs are lower because of decreased length of stay can be disadvantageous for hospitals reimbursed on a per diem basis.

Nonsurgical and surgical treatment of obesity

An increasing number of morbidly obese patients are presenting for surgery, with the potential for increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. This article reviews surgical and nonsurgical options in the management of morbidly obese patients. Overweight and obese individuals should be treated with diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy. The failure of this approach is an indication for pharmacologic therapy. Bariatric surgery reduces obesity-related complications and reduces long-term morbidity, mortality, and health care resources use.

Total laparoscopic versus conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: A case-control study

PURPOSE

This study was designed to identify differences in the per- and postoperative outcomes between total laparoscopic and open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

METHODS

We reviewed 30 patients who underwent total laparoscopic AAA repair between July 2003 and December 2004 (group I). This group was matched in a case-control fashion by AAA morphology and American Society of Anesthesiologists class with a group of 30 patients who underwent conventional AAA repair between April 1997 and May 2004 (group II). Proportions and categoric data were compared with a chi(2) test. Continuous data were compared with a Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

The two groups had comparable characteristics of age and cardiovascular risk factors. The number of tube and bifurcated grafts was 13 for group I and 17 for group II. Median operative time was 255 minutes (range, 170 to 410 minutes) in group I and 200 minutes (range, 130 to 410) in group II (P <.001). Median aortic clamping time was 80 minutes (range, 35 to 110 minutes) in group I and 50 minutes (range, 24 to 150 minutes) in group II (P < .0001). Total blood loss was 1600 mL (range, 400 to 4000 mL) for group I vd 1000 mL (range, 100 to 2900) for group II (P < .01). The mortality rate was 3.3% for group I (1 patient) vs 6.6% (2 patients) for group II (NS). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative systemic complications (23.3% vs 30%, NS) and local and vascular complications (10% vs 3.3%). Duration of ileus (2 vs 3 days, P < .05), return to normal diet (4 vs 8 days, P < .0001), day of ambulation (3 vs 4 days, P < .05) and dose of narcotics (3.5 mg vs 28.5 mg, P < .05) were significantly lower in group I. Median length of intensive care unit stay was similar between the two groups (48 hours). Median hospital stay was lower in group I but without significant differences with group II (9 vs 11 days, NS).

CONCLUSION

This case-control study provides preliminary results that short-term outcomes of total laparoscopic AAA repair are comparable with those of open surgery. Peroperative data demonstrate that laparoscopy is more technically demanding than open repair. However, the technical challenge of laparoscopy does not worsen the postoperative course.

Bariatric surgical outcomes

This article describes the procedures that are performed for weight loss and characterizes the associated short-term success (operative safety, in-hospital morbidity/mortality) and long-term efficacy(weight loss, weight loss maintenance, postoperative complications). It discusses each category of procedure and reviews the current outcomes literature. It also addresses the technical challenges that are involved with the performance of each procedure and how these challenges may affect short and long-term outcomes. It concludes by comparatively analyzing the outcomes of the various bariatric surgical procedures and their respective roles in effectively managing the morbidly obese patient.

Surgery for morbid obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Surgery for morbid obesity is considered when other treatments have failed. A number of procedures are available, but the effects of these surgical procedures compared with medical management and with each other are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of surgery for morbid obesity.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Studies were obtained from computerized searches of multiple electronic bibliographic databases, supplemented with hand searches of selected journals and consultation with experts in obesity research. Date of the most recent searches: December 2004.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing different surgical procedures, and randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies comparing surgery with non-surgical management for morbid obesity.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked independently by two reviewers. Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-six trials were included. Two randomised controlled trials and three prospective cohort studies compared surgery with non-surgical management, and 21 randomised controlled trials compared different surgical procedures. The quality of most of the trials was poor; just three trials had adequate allocation concealment. A meta-analysis was not possible due to differences in the surgical procedures performed, measures of weight change and length of follow-up. Compared with conventional management, surgery resulted in greater weight loss (21 kg weight loss at eight years versus weight gain), with improvements in quality of life and comorbidities. Some complications of surgery occurred, such as wound infection. Gastric bypass was associated with greater weight loss, better quality of life and fewer revisions, reoperations and/or conversions than gastroplasty, but had more side-effects. Greater weight loss and fewer side-effects and reoperations occurred with adjustable gastric banding than vertical banded gastroplasty, but laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty produced more patients with an excellent or good result and fewer late complications than laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding. Vertical banded gastroplasty was associated with greater weight loss but more vomiting than horizontal gastroplasty. Some postoperative deaths occurred in the studies. Weight loss was similar between open and laparoscopic procedures. Fewer serious complications occurred with laparoscopic surgery, although conversion to open surgery was sometimes required. Most studies found that laparoscopic surgery had a longer operative time. But, it resulted in reduced blood loss and quicker recovery.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The limited evidence suggests that surgery is more effective than conventional management for weight loss in morbid obesity. The comparative safety and effectiveness of different surgical procedures is unclear.

Measuring surgical recovery: the study of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy

Following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), recovery has only been studied using traditional outcomes, subjective and confounded by comorbidity and psychosocial variables. The purpose of this study is to estimate surgical recovery following LDN using standardized, validated instruments and to compare this recovery profile to that obtained with traditional measures. This was a prospective study of patients undergoing LDN at a single institution between September 2001 and January 2004 (n = 35). At baseline and 4 weeks following surgery, functional exercise capacity was measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, including physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Patients' self-assessment of recovery and time to resumption of regular activities was ascertained. At follow-up (median 29 days), patients' 6MWT was lower by a median of 30 m (p = 0.07) and PCS decreased from 57.1 to 42.3 (p = 0.0001), whereas MCS remained constant. Overall, length of stay, return to activities and patient-stated recovery were inadequate outcomes for classifying patient recovery using 6MWT and PCS as the reference standards. Four weeks following LLDN, patients have returned to baseline exercise capacity, but not baseline general physical health. Traditional measures of recovery are incomplete descriptors of recovery.

Presentation and management of common post-weight loss surgery problems in the emergency department

Morbid obesity is an epidemic in this country. An increasing number of patients are undergoing weight loss surgery in an effort to combat the negative physical and psychological impact of morbid obesity. Fueling the increasing interest in surgical treatment of morbid obesity has been the development of new laparoscopic techniques. There are several surgical approaches to morbid obesity, and each has its own unique set of risks and potential complications. As more patients have weight loss surgery, clinicians working in the emergency department will frequently encounter complications of these procedures. To ensure timely diagnosis and optimal care, clinicians should be familiar with the standard weight loss approaches and the potential complications of these interventions.

Best practice recommendations for surgical care in weight loss surgery

OBJECTIVE

To establish evidence-based guidelines for best practices for surgical care in weight loss surgery (WLS).

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out a systematic search of English-language literature on WLS in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Key words were used to narrow the field for a selective review of abstracts. Data extraction was performed, and evidence categories were assigned according to a grading system based on established evidence-based models.

RESULTS

We assessed types of WLS, recommended guidelines for appropriateness, developed strategies for medical error reduction, established criteria for credentialing of systems and practitioners, and specified research needed for the future.

DISCUSSION

Surgeon training, credentialing, and type of surgery performed were identified as key factors in patient safety. Other important issues in the delivery of best practice care included appropriate patient selection; use of a multidisciplinary treatment team; facility staffing, equipment, and administrative support; and early recognition and proper management of complications.

Patient Selection and the Physiology of Gastrointestinal Antiobesity Operations

Antiobesity surgery largely is "behavioral surgery"--the results rely on behavioral factors more than on the technical performance of the procedure. Therefore, patient selection and pre- and postoperative patient education are critical for outcome. The operations rely on mechanical and biochemical mechanisms, such as: (1)limiting food consumption through restriction by activating satiety or nimiety; (2) increasing or decreasing appetitive gastrointestinal peptides; and (3) reducing substrate stores by way of malabsorption or increased thermogenesis to ensure weight loss. The balance between physiologic mechanisms that promote weight loss and motivational factors that cause maladaptive eating is the greatest challenge to effective surgical treatment of obesity.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y versus mini-gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

This prospective, randomized trial compared the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) and laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass (LMGBP) in the treatment of morbid obesity.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

LRYGBP has been the gold standard for the treatment of morbid obesity. While LMGBP has been reported to be a simple and effective treatment, data from a randomized trial are lacking.

METHODS

Eighty patients who met the NIH criteria were recruited and randomized to receive either LRYGBP (n = 40) or LMGBP (n = 40). The minimum postoperative follow-up was 2 years (mean, 31.3 months). Perioperative data were assessed. Late complication, excess weight loss, BMI, quality of life, and comorbidities were determined. Changes in quality of life were assessed using the Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI).

RESULTS

There was one conversion (2.5%) in the LRYGBP group. Operation time was shorter in LMGBP group (205 versus 148, P < 0.05). There was no mortality in each group. The operative morbidity rate was higher in the LRYGBP group (20% versus 7.5%, P < 0.05). The late complications rate was the same in the 2 groups (7.5%) with no reoperation. The percentage of excess weight loss was 58.7% and 60.0% at 1 and 2 years, respectively, in the LPYGBP group, and 64.9% and 64.4% in the LMGBP group. The residual excess weight <50% at 2 years postoperatively was achieved in 75% of patients in the LRYGBP group and 95% in the LMGBP group (P < 0.05). A significant improvement of obesity-related clinical parameters and complete resolution of metabolic syndrome in both groups were noted. Both gastrointestinal quality of life increased significantly without any significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Both LRYGBP and LMGBP are effective for morbid obesity with similar results for resolution of metabolic syndrome and improvement of quality of life. LMGBP is a simpler and safer procedure that has no disadvantage compared with LRYGBP at 2 years of follow-up.

[Evidential basis in bariatric surgery]

Bariatric surgery is currently considered the best treatment option for morbid obesity. With the rapid development of laparoscopic techniques, a significant increase in the number bariatric procedures in recent years can be observed. Various surgical techniques to treat morbid obesity have been described, but only few prospective studies compare the different procedures, leading to a lack of evidence for their use. However, from the available literature some general recommendations can be given: (a) preoperative workup in an interdisciplinary team is mandatory, (b) primary bariatric procedures should be performed laparoscopically, and (c) the combination of restrictive and malabsorptive techniques is more efficient than a purely restrictive method, which is also true for the treatment of comorbid diabetes and arterial hypertension. In this paper, we present recent developments in bariatric surgery, with special emphasis on the available evidence for the best treatment of morbidly obese patients.

Initiation and progression of physical activity after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass surgery

This study compared postoperative physical activity participation among patients who underwent laparoscopic (LGBS) or open gastric bypass surgery (OGBS). Postoperative physical activity participation is considered important for achieving optimal weight loss and maintenance after gastric bypass surgery. However, no study has examined the relationship between surgery type and postoperative physical activity. Minimal invasiveness and reduced recovery time associated with LGBS compared with OGBS may permit earlier initiation and faster progression of postsurgical physical activity and potentially contribute to greater long-term adherence rates. Self-reported physical activity participation and aerobic physical activity hours per week at 2-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months postsurgery were assessed among LGBS and OGBS patients (presurgical body mass index of 35 to 70 kg/m(2)) at a university hospital from 1988-2002. Of the 2,235 patients, 531 (24%) and 1704 (76%) underwent LGBS and OGBS, respectively. A greater proportion of LGBS patients reported physical activity participation at each time point compared with OGBS patients (2 week, 76% vs 62%; 3 months, 84% vs 74%; 6 months, 85% vs 76%). Furthermore, LGBS patients reported a significantly greater physical activity duration at 2-weeks postsurgery compared with OGBS patients. A nonsignificant trend toward greater physical activity duration was observed in the LGBS patients at 3 months, whereas 6-month physical activity duration was similar between groups. LGBS, compared with OGBS, may promote earlier onset, progression, and maintenance of physical activity until 6 months postsurgery. Future studies need to prospectively determine whether LGBS, via facilitation of greater engagement in postsurgical physical activity, contributes to more successful weight loss and weight maintenance compared with OGBS.

Laparoscopic revisional bariatric surgery: myths and facts

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is growing worldwide. An increasing number of patients will require revisional procedures because of inadequate weight control, complications, or loss of quality of life.

METHODS

From August 1999 to September 2003, 62 patients were submitted to laparoscopic revisional surgery.

RESULTS

The primary operations consisted of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in 39 cases, banded and nonbanded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in 17 cases, vertical banded gastroplasty in 4 cases, and biliopancreatic diversion in 2 cases. Although technically demanding, laparoscopic conversion to RYGB was possible in all cases. Mean operative time was 100 min. Mean hospital stay was 77 h. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. A good body mass index reduction after the revisional procedure was observed with a 24 month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic revisional bariatric surgery is safe and effective. However, it should be performed only by experienced bariatric and laparoscopic surgeons.

Stricture dilation after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

In surgical treatment of morbid obesity, maintaining a restrictive anastomosis is key to long-range success. However, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) may result in gastrojejunal (GJ) stricture, requiring treatment in up to 27% of patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of the outcome of 223 consecutive LRYGB patients. Patients developing stricture received standard endoscopic balloon dilation by the same surgeon. Stricture and nonstricture groups were compared for excess body weight loss (EBWL) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

GJ stricture requiring dilation occurred in 38 patients (17%). After dilation all patients were relieved of stricture symptoms and none required revision. By 12 months, patients with stricture had an EBWL of 86% compared with nonstrictured patients at 75%.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment option for GJ stricture. Improved weight loss occurred for patients with stricture requiring dilation.

Evidence-based medicine reports on obesity surgery: a critique

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate evidence in recent authoritative 'Evidence-Based Medicine' (EBM) reports on surgery for severe obesity.

METHODS

Focused review of Index Medicus citations and authors' own databases of publications on surgery for obesity, 1978-2004.

RESULTS

EBM criteria for assessment of strength of evidence requiring randomized controlled studies (RCTs) in these reports are inappropriate for evaluating invasive treatments such as surgery, which have robust physiological effects, are difficult to reverse and may have more serious side effects than the drug studies for which the criteria were promulgated. Flaws in these reports include omissions of important studies demonstrating improvements in comorbidity, factual errors in descriptions of operations and faulty analyses of outcomes of laparoscopic approaches. There are misinterpretations of cited papers, and inclusion of obsolete operations as well as a study generated during the 'learning curve' of an avowed complex procedure.

CONCLUSION

EBM analyses of surgical modalities affecting access to care require relevant evaluation criteria, true peer review and expert consultation. Authors' claims of objectivity by invoking use of evidence-based criteria applicable to drug treatment and other easily reversible forms of therapy are questionable. Decisions based on flawed EBM reports may adversely affect access to care for millions of severely obese patients.

Leveling the learning curve for laparoscopic bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

The learning curve for laparoscopic bariatric surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

The study included the first 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LGB) by a designated surgical team. Surgeon A operated as primary surgeon, with surgeon B assisting (Stage 1). Surgeon B learned LGB in stages: exposure and jejunojejunostomy (stage 2), gastric pouch (stage 3), gastrojejunostomy (stage 4), and sequence all steps (stage 5).

RESULTS

Surgeon A achieved confidence with LGB after 20 cases and surgeon B after 25 cases (stage 2), 18 cases (stage 3), 21 cases (stage 4), and 16 cases (stage 5). Complications (8%) included small bowel obstruction (three); pulmonary embolus (two), and leak, stomal stenosis, and gastrogastric fistula (one each). There was a decreasing trend for operative duration, length of stay, and complications across the five stages (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

By transferring skills in stages, a laparoscopic bariatric program can be established with minimal morbidity and mortality.

National Analysis of Adverse Patient Safety Events in Bariatric Surgery

Identifying risk factors for adverse events after bariatric surgery (BaS) can help define high-risk groups to improve patient safety. We calculated cumulative incidence of adverse events and identified risk factors for these events using validated surgical patient safety indicators (PSIs) developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. BaS patients ≥18 years old were identified using the 2002 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Cumulative incidence at discharge was calculated for accidental puncture or laceration (APL), pulmonary embolus or deep venous thrombosis (PE/DVT), and postoperative respiratory failure (RF). Factors predictive of these PSIs were identified. From 7,853,982 discharges, a national cohort of 69,490 BaS patients was identified. During BaS hospitalization, the cumulative incidences per 1000 discharges of APL, PE/DVT, and RF were 12.6, 3.4, and 7.3, respectively. Risk factors for APL included male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.3, P < 0.05) and age of 40–49 years (OR 1.6 [1.1–2.3], P < 0.05) compared to ages 18–39 years. Patients aged 50–59 years (OR 3.5 [1.6–7.7], P < 0.05) had a higher chance of PE/DVT compared to those 18–39 years. Male gender (OR 1.8 [1.1–2.9], P < 0.05), ages 40–49 (OR 2.1 [1.1–4.2], P < 0.05) and 50–59 (OR 3.8 [2.1–6.9], P < 0.05), a history of chronic lung disease (OR 1.7 [1.1–2.7], P < 0.05), and Medicare coverage compared to private insurance (OR 2.2 [1.2–3.8], P < 0.05) were predictive of RF. This study established national measures for BaS adverse events. Further, risk factors associated with adverse events varied by gender, age, insurance status, and comorbidity. Evaluation of these higher risk BaS groups is needed to improve patient safety.

A structured review of randomized controlled trials of weight loss showed little improvement in health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of weight-loss interventions on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); to conduct a meta-analysis of weight-loss treatment on depressive symptoms; and, to examine methodological and presentation issues that compromise study validity.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted a structured review of 34 RCTs with weight-loss interventions that reported the relationship between HrQoL and treatment at two or more time points. We also evaluated study quality.

RESULTS

Trials lasted 6 weeks to 208 weeks and evaluated behavioral, surgical, or pharmacologic interventions. Nine of 34 trials showed HrQoL improvements in generic measures. Obesity-specific measures were more likely to show improvement in response to treatment than non-obesity-specific measures. Meta-analysis showed no treatment effect on depressive symptoms. Most trials tracked loss to follow-up and conducted intent-to-treat analysis, but only four trials concealed recruitment staff to randomization and 14 blinded the investigation team to randomization.

CONCLUSION

HrQoL outcomes, including depression, were not consistently improved in RCTs of weight loss. The overall quality of these clinical trials was poor. Better-designed RCTs using standardized HrQoL measures are needed to determine the extent to which weight loss improves HrQoL.

A novel endolaparoscopic intragastric partitioning for treatment of morbid obesity

Morbid obesity is a burgeoning health crisis. Significant morbidity is associated with the current gastric bypass, and, therefore, alternative surgical modalities are desired. A novel minimally invasive surgical technique, endoluminal gastric partitioning, is presented. Ten mongrel dogs underwent endolaparoscopic placement of intragastric mesh. Each circular prosthesis (Surgisis or prolene mesh) was 8 cm in diameter with a 1.5 cm central aperture. The mesh was passed transorally into the gastric lumen and secured with a laparoscopic, intragastric suturing resulting in a 30 to 50 mL proximal gastric reservoir. The operation was successfully completed in all 10 animals. Nine of 10 animals were healthy at the scheduled sacrifice date. In 2 dogs, the intragastric mesh was 100% adherent to the gastric mucosa after 7 days. Four of the final 5 dogs demonstrated some degree of mucosal adherence after 1 week. Endoluminal placement of intragastric mesh appears feasible and safe. Long-term studies are necessary to demonstrate the efficacy and long-term weight loss of this, or alternate intraluminal gastric partitioning techniques.

Surgical management of obesity: a review of the evidence relating to the health benefits and risks

Obesity continues to plague our society in epidemic proportions. Surgery for morbid obesity is considered by many as the most effective therapy for this complex disorder. Today, multiple surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity are available. As with most procedures, there are benefits and risks associated with open and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, as well as with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and partial biliopancreatic bypass with a duodenal switch. The risks and complications associated with bariatric surgery may be serious and in some cases life threatening. However, surgery for obesity has shown remarkable results in helping patients to achieve significant long-term weight control. In addition, it is associated with improvement and often resolution of co-morbid conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, obesity hypoventilation, sleep apnea, venous stasis disease, pseudotumor cerebri, polycystic ovary syndrome, complications of pregnancy and delivery, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stress urinary incontinence, degenerative joint disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

National trends in utilization and outcomes of bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Because of the growing interest in surgery to treat morbid obesity, this study examined changes in the utilization and in-hospital outcomes of bariatric surgery in the United States over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the largest all-payer discharge database in the United States. International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) codes were used to identify all bariatric procedures performed for adults from 1990 to 2000. Population-based rates of surgery for each year were calculated by applying sampling weights and U.S. Census data. Secular trends in annual rates of surgery, changes in patient characteristics, and in-hospital mortality and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

From 1990 to 2000, the national annual rate of bariatric surgery increased nearly six fold, from 2.4 to 14.1 per 100,000 adults (p = 0.001). There has been more than a ninefold increase in the use of gastric bypass procedures (1.4 to 13.1 per 100,000; p < 0.001). This represents an increase from 55% of all bariatric procedures in 1990 to 93% of such procedures in 2000 (p < 0.001). The rates of in-hospital mortality were low (0.4% overall), but increased slightly over time (0.2% in 1990 to 0.5% in 2000; p = 0.009). There is no significant difference in adjusted mortality for the past 8 years, but a slight rise did occur over the full 10-year period. The rates for reoperation (1.3%) and pulmonary emboli (0.3%) remained stable. The rates for respiratory failure associated with bariatric surgery declined from 7.7% in 1990 to 4.5% in 2000 (p < 0.001). Over this time, the mean length of hospital stay declined from 6.0 to 4.1 days (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The annual rate of bariatric surgery in the United States increased nearly six fold between 1990 and 2000, with little change in in-hospital morbidity and mortality. This appears to be driven largely by the increasing popularity of gastric bypass procedures.

The impact of laparoscopy on bariatric surgery

The rising popularity of bariatric surgery over the past several years is attributable in part to the development of laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Morbidly obese patients have associated comorbid conditions that may predispose them to postoperative morbidity. The laparoscopic approach to bariatric surgery offers a minimally invasive option that reduces the physiologic stress and provides clinical benefits, as compared with the open approach. This review summarizes the impact of laparoscopic surgery on bariatric surgery, the various risk factors that could potentially predispose morbidly obese patients to postoperative morbidity, the fundamental differences between laparoscopic and open bariatric surgery, and the physiology of reduced tissue injury associated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass for refractory morbid obesity

Morbid obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Laparoscopic gastric bypass is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice for treatment of morbid obesity. Results demonstrate that the surgery is technically safe. Outcomes are similar to open gastric bypass,but with markedly lower incidences of wound-related and cardiopulmonary complications. Patients also have shorter hospital stay, decreased pain and faster recovery.

Learning curve for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with totally hand-sewn anastomosis: analysis of first 600 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is a challenging operation for the treatment of morbid obesity with well-demonstrated effectiveness in weight lost. There are several variations to the technique.

METHODS

From September 2000 to July 2004, 600 consecutive patients underwent surgery for morbid obesity at our institution. The surgical technique employed was LRYGB with totally hand-sewn gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA). All patients were considered candidates for laparoscopic approach regardless of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), or previous bariatric or digestive surgery.

RESULTS

Mean BMI was 44.4 +/- 7.6 kg/m2. Thirty-two patients had undergone previous failed bariatric procedures. Conversion to an open procedure was necessary in three patients. Seventy-two patients (12%) developed early complications, including 23 (3.8%) leaks at the GJA (eight in the first 18 patients). Mortality rate was 1.1% (one death was related to GJA leakage). Early and late reoperation rates were 5.3 and 1.8%, respectively. Rate plateau of morbidity and mortality was reached after the first 18 patients when the surgical technique was fully standardized.

CONCLUSIONS

LRYGB is a technically demanding procedure for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity with significant morbidity during the learning curve. The learning curve can be soon overcome, reaching a rate plateau of complications after adequate training. Morbidly obese patients should be operated on in expert bariatric surgical laparoscopic units to obtain the best results.

Surgical options for obesity

Several bariatric procedures are available that have excellent long-term weight loss results and are backed by several large clinical trials. Purely restrictive procedures like VBG have fallen out of favor because of inadequate long-term weight loss. Gastric bypass and the BPD are well-studied and show significant resolution of obesity-related comorbidities. Long-term nutritional consequences are seen more commonly after malabsorptive procedures like the BPD than after hybrid malabsorptive-restrictive procedures like the gastric bypass. Because compliance and long-term nutritional follow-up are mandatory after any bariatric procedure, purely malabsorptive procedures should be reserved for super obese patients who are at risk for inadequate long-term weight loss. Furthermore, minimally invasive techniques have evolved and essentially have eliminated the high incidence of postoperative wound complications and incisional hernias frequently seen after open gastric bypass. Until the development ofa similarly successful procedure, gastric bypass will continue to be the gold standard bariatric procedure with its concurrent sustained weight loss benefits and resolution of comorbidities.

Comparison of the benefits and complications between laparoscopic and open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeries

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increase in numbers of individuals seeking laparoscopic surgical procedures for obesity. The current study compared the benefits and risks between laparoscopic and open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) performed at the same center for more than 2,000 patients.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 1,077 laparoscopic and 1,198 open RYGBP procedures performed between the years 1999 and 2002. Measurements included population characteristics, anthropometries, complications, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic RYGBP has both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages include a longer operative time and a higher incidence of fistulas, internal hernias, and small bowel obstruction. The advantages of the laparoscopic procedure are shorter hospital stay, lower incidence of wound infection, and fewer incisional hernias. Both procedures cause similar changes in body weight, but laparoscopic RYGBP is associated with less lean tissue loss during the early postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

Both laparoscopic and open RYGBP are effective in inducing massive weight loss. There are, however, differences in the benefits and risks between the two procedures.

Bariatric surgery

At present, surgery is necessary to counter extreme obesity. The outcomes in bariatric surgery have improved steadily and today most co-morbidities in the massively overweight can be improved or even resolved by surgery. The procedures work in one of two ways; by restricting the patient's ability to eat or by interfering with the ingested nutrient absorption. The operative treatment is in no way cosmetic. Drawbacks to the surgical therapy exist; major life-long rearrangement of the gastrointestinal tract, an operative mortality (<0.5%) and morbidity (about 10%). Surgically induced weight loss is currently the most effective treatment for the severely obese patient.

Bariatric surgery: an evidence-based analysis

OBJECTIVE

To conduct an evidence-based analysis of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of at last 30 kg/m(2).() Morbid obesity is defined as a BMI of at least 40 kg/m(2) or at least 35 kg/m(2) with comorbid conditions. Comorbid conditions associated with obesity include diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemias, obstructive sleep apnea, weight-related arthropathies, and stress urinary incontinence. It is also associated with depression, and cancers of the breast, uterus, prostate, and colon, and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obesity is also associated with higher all-cause mortality at any age, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors like smoking. A person with a BMI of 30 kg/m(2) has about a 50% higher risk of dying than does someone with a healthy BMI. The risk more than doubles at a BMI of 35 kg/m(2). An expert estimated that about 160,000 people are morbidly obese in Ontario. In the United States, the prevalence of morbid obesity is 4.7% (1999-2000). In Ontario, the 2004 Chief Medical Officer of Health Report said that in 2003, almost one-half of Ontario adults were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). About 57% of Ontario men and 42% of Ontario women were overweight or obese. The proportion of the population that was overweight or obese increased gradually from 44% in 1990 to 49% in 2000, and it appears to have stabilized at 49% in 2003. The report also noted that the tendency to be overweight and obese increases with age up to 64 years. BMI should be used cautiously for people aged 65 years and older, because the "normal" range may begin at slightly above 18.5 kg/m(2) and extend into the "overweight" range. The Chief Medical Officer of Health cautioned that these data may underestimate the true extent of the problem, because they were based on self reports, and people tend to over-report their height and under-report their weight. The actual number of Ontario adults who are overweight or obese may be higher. Diet, exercise, and behavioural therapy are used to help people lose weight. The goals of behavioural therapy are to identify, monitor, and alter behaviour that does not help weight loss. Techniques include self-monitoring of eating habits and physical activity, stress management, stimulus control, problem solving, cognitive restructuring, contingency management, and identifying and using social support. Relapse, when people resume old, unhealthy behaviour and then regain the weight, can be problematic. Drugs (including gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and appetite suppressants) may be used if behavioural interventions fail. However, estimates of efficacy may be confounded by high rates of noncompliance, in part owing to the side effects of the drugs. In addition, the drugs have not been approved for indefinite use, despite the chronic nature of obesity.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Morbidly obese people may be eligible for bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery for morbid obesity is considered an intervention of last resort for patients who have attempted first-line forms of medical management, such as diet, increased physical activity, behavioural modification, and drugs. There are various bariatric surgical procedures and several different variations for each of these procedures. The surgical interventions can be divided into 2 general types: malabsorptive (bypassing parts of the gastrointestinal tract to limit the absorption of food), and restrictive (decreasing the size of the stomach so that the patient is satiated with less food). All of these may be performed as either open surgery or laparoscopically. An example of a malabsorptive technique is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Examples of restrictive techniques are vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and adjustable gastric banding (AGB). The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services includes fee code "S120 gastric bypass or partition, for morbid obesity" as an insured service. The term gastric bypass is a general term that encompasses a variety of surgical methods, all of which involve reconfiguring the digestive system. The term gastric bypass does not include AGB. The number of gastric bypass procedures funded and done in Ontario, and funded as actual out-of-country approvals,() is shown below. Number of Gastric Bypass Procedures by Fiscal Year: Ontario and Actual Out-of-Country (OOC) ApprovalsData from Provider Services, MOHLTCCourtesy of Provider Services, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

REVIEW STRATEGY

The Medical Advisory Secretariat reviewed the literature to assess the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity. It used its standard search strategy to retrieve international health technology assessments and English-language journal articles from selected databases. The interventions of interest were bariatric surgery and, for the controls, either optimal conventional management or another type of bariatric procedure. The outcomes of interest were improvement in comorbid conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension); short- and long-term weight loss; quality of life; adverse effects; and economic analysis data. The databases yielded 15 international health technology assessments or systematic reviews on bariatric surgery. Subsequently, the Medical Advisory Secretariat searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from April 2004 to December 2004, after the search cut-off date of April, 2004, for the most recent systematic reviews on bariatric surgery. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. One of those 10 was the Swedish Obese Subjects study, which started as a registry and intervention study, and then published findings on people who had been enrolled for at least 2 years or at least 10 years. In addition to the literature review of economic analysis data, the Medical Advisory Secretariat also did an Ontario-based economic analysis.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Bariatric surgery generally is effective for sustained weight loss of about 16% for people with BMIs of at least 40 kg/m(2) or at least 35 kg/m(2) with comorbid conditions (including diabetes, high lipid levels, and hypertension). It also is effective at resolving the associated comorbid conditions. This conclusion is largely based on level 3a evidence from the prospectively designed Swedish Obese Subjects study, which recently published 10-year outcomes for patients who had bariatric surgery compared with patients who received nonsurgical treatment. (1)Regarding specific procedures, there is evidence that malabsorptive techniques are better than other banding techniques for weight loss and resolution of comorbid illnesses. However, there are no published prospective, long-term, direct comparisons of these techniques available.Surgery for morbid obesity is considered an intervention of last resort for patients who have attempted first-line forms of medical management, such as diet, increased physical activity, behavioural modification, and drugs. In the absence of direct comparisons of active nonsurgical intervention via caloric restriction with bariatric techniques, the following observations are made:A recent systematic review examining the efficacy of major commercial and organized self-help weight loss programs in the United States concluded that the evidence to support the use of such programs was suboptimal, except for one trial on Weight Watchers. Furthermore, the programs were associated with high costs, attrition rates, and probability of regaining at least 50% of the lost weight in 1 to 2 years. (2)A recent randomized controlled trial reported 1-year outcomes comparing weight loss and metabolic changes in severely obese patients assigned to either a low-carbohydrate diet or a conventional weight loss diet. At 1 year, weight loss was similar for patients in each group (mean, 2-5 kg). There was a favourable effect on triglyceride levels and glycemic control in the low-carbohydrate diet group. (3)A decision-analysis model showed bariatric surgery results in increased life expectancy in morbidly obese patients when compared to diet and exercise. (4)A cost-effectiveness model showed bariatric surgery is cost-effective relative to nonsurgical management. (5)Extrapolating from 2003 data from the United States, Ontario would likely need to do 3,500 bariatric surgeries per year. It currently does 508 per year, including out-of-country surgeries.