Planned secondary wound closure at the circular stapler insertion site after laparoscopic gastric bypass reduces postoperative morbidity, costs, and hospital stay

Comparative analysis of linear- and circular-stapled gastrojejunostomies in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a focus on postoperative morbidity using the comprehensive complication index

PURPOSE

The linear-stapled (LSA) and the circular-stapled anastomosis (CSA) are the two most commonly performed techniques for the gastrojejunostomy (GJ) during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study compared the outcome after both techniques with special focus on postoperative morbidity using the comprehensive complication index (CCI).

METHODS

Five hundred eighty-eight patients operated between 01/2010 and 12/2019 were included in the final analysis and divided in two cohorts according to the surgical technique of the GJ (LSA (n = 290) or CSA (n = 298)). Before 09/2016, the CSA was exclusively performed for the GJ, while after 09/2016, the LSA was solely used.

RESULTS

The mean CCI for patients with Clavien-Dindo complication grade ≥ 2 within the first 90 days after RYGB was 31 ± 9.1 in the CSA and 25.7 ± 6.8 in the LSA group (p < 0.001), both values still below the previously published benchmark cutoff (≤ 33.73). The C-reactive Protein (CRP)-levels on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 3 as well as the use of opioids on POD 1 were significantly higher in the CSA- than in the LSA-group (all p < 0.001). There were significantly more internal herniations in the CSA group during the first 24 postoperative months (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients after RYGB with CSA were found to have higher CCI values during the first 90 PODs compared to patients in which the LSA was applied. To achieve optimal outcomes in terms of patient morbidity, the LSA seems to be the superior technique for GJ in RYGB.

Factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de infección del sitio quirúrgico en cirugía bariátrica: una revisión integradora

Resumen Objetivo: evaluar las evidencias sobre los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de infección de sitio quirúrgico en cirugía bariátrica. Método: revisión integradora. La búsqueda de estudios primarios se realizó en cuatro bases de datos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 11 investigaciones. La calidad metodológica de los estudios incluidos se evaluó mediante herramientas propuestas por el Joanna Briggs Institute. El análisis y la síntesis de los datos se realizaron de manera descriptiva. Resultados: las tasas de infección del sitio quirúrgico oscilaron entre 0,4% y 7,6%, considerando los resultados de los estudios primarios, en los que los pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía mediante laparoscopia. En investigaciones con participantes que se sometieron a procedimientos quirúrgicos con diferentes enfoques (abierto, laparoscópico o robótico), las tasas de infección oscilaron entre el 0,9 % y el 12 %. En cuanto a los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de este tipo de infección, se destacan la profilaxis antibiótica, el sexo femenino, el Índice de Masa Corporal elevado y la hiperglucemia perioperatoria. Conclusión: la realización de la revisión generó un cuerpo de evidencia que refuerza la importancia de implementar medidas efectivas para la prevención y el control de la infección de sitio quirúrgico, por parte de los profesionales de la salud, después de la cirugía bariátrica, promoviendo la mejora de la atención y la seguridad del paciente en el período perioperatorio.

Fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de infecção de sítio cirúrgico em cirurgia bariátrica: revisão integrativa

Resumo Objetivo: avaliar as evidências sobre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de infecção de sítio cirúrgico em cirurgia bariátrica. Método: revisão integrativa. A busca dos estudos primários foi realizada em quatro bases de dados. A amostra foi composta por 11 pesquisas. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos incluídos foi avaliada por meio de ferramentas propostas pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. A análise e a síntese dos dados foram realizadas de maneira descritiva. Resultados: as taxas de infecção de sítio cirúrgico variaram de 0,4% até 7,6%, considerando os resultados dos estudos primários, cujos pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia por via laparoscópica. Nas pesquisas com os participantes submetidos aos procedimentos cirúrgicos com diferentes abordagens (aberta, via laparoscópica ou robótica), as taxas de infecção variaram de 0,9% até 12%. Com relação aos fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento deste tipo de infecção, ressaltam-se antibioticoprofilaxia, sexo feminino, Índice de Massa Corporal elevado e hiperglicemia perioperatória. Conclusão: a condução da revisão gerou corpo de evidências que reforça a importância na implementação de medidas efetivas para prevenção e controle de infecção de sítio cirúrgico pelos profissionais de saúde após cirurgia bariátrica, promovendo a melhoria da assistência e da segurança do paciente no perioperatório.

Risk factors for the development of surgical site infection in bariatric surgery: an integrative review of literature

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate evidence on risk factors for the development of surgical site infection in bariatric surgery.

METHOD

integrative review. The search for primary studies was performed in four databases. The sample consisted of 11 surveys. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using tools proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data analysis and synthesis were performed in a descriptive manner.

RESULTS

surgical site infection rates ranged from 0.4% to 7.6%, considering the results of primary studies, in which patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. In surveys of participants undergoing surgical procedures with different approaches (open, laparoscopic or robotic), infection rates ranged from 0.9% to 12%. Regarding the risk factors for the development of this type of infection, antibiotic prophylaxis, female sex, high Body Mass Index and perioperative hyperglycemia are highlighted.

CONCLUSION

conducting the integrative review generated a body of evidence that reinforces the importance of implementing effective measures for the prevention and control of surgical site infection, by health professionals, after bariatric surgery, promoting improved care and patient safety in the perioperative period.

Improved Clinical and Financial Outcomes in Proximal Gastric Bypass Surgery Following the Transition from a Conventional Circular Stapling to an Augmented Linear Stapling Protocol

Bariatric techniques for bypass surgery evolve constantly. Switching from one well-established protocol to another in a running surgical teaching program is challenging. We analyzed clinical and financial outcomes at a single bariatric center transitioning from circular to an augmented linear bypass protocol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2011 and 2018, 454 patients were included in this retrospective study. The circular bypass protocol (CIRC; n = 177) was used between 2011 and 2012. Between 2013 and 2015 the transition occurred. Thereafter, the augmented linear protocol (aLIN; n = 277) was primarily utilized.

RESULTS

Overall, the mean preoperative BMI dropped from 42.2 to 29.6 kg/m² after 5 years with no difference between groups. Operation times were significantly shorter in the aLIN vs. CIRC group at 108 (± 32) vs. 120 (± 34) min (P < 0.001), respectively. The reoperation rate was significantly higher in the CIRC vs. aLIN group at n = 65 (36%) vs. n = 35 (13%; P < 0.001), respectively. Specifically, revision due to internal hernia occurred much more frequently in the CIRC-group, n = 36 (20%) vs. n = 12 (4%; P < 0.001). Moreover, reoperation rates for gastrojejunostomy leakage and endoscopic dilatations for anastomotic stenosis were higher in the CIRC vs. aLIN group (P < 0.001). Adjusted overall mean cost per case was lower in aLIN-patients at 15,403 (± 7848) vs. CIRC-patients at 18,525 (± 7850) Swiss francs (P < 0.001). Overall profit was 2555 ± 4768 vs. 1455 ± 5638 Swiss francs in the aLIN vs. CIRC-group, respectively (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

This study shows improved clinical and financial outcomes after a gradual transition from a circular stapling protocol to an augmented linear stapling protocol in proximal gastric bypass surgery.

Linear versus Circular Stapler for Gastrojejunal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: An Analysis of 211 Cases

Purpose

Although laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is a frequently performed bariatric procedure, there is still no consensus on its technical implementation.

Methods

211 patients treated with LRYGB in a single institution between March 2011 and October 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. A subgroup analysis for the linear (LSA) versus circular stapler technique (CSA) for gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA) was performed to evaluate complications and outcomes.

Results

128 (60.6%) patients received GJA with CSA and 83 (39.4%) with LSA. Average weight loss one year after surgery, respectively, BMI after one year of follow-up (kg/m²), showed no significant difference. Median surgery time was significantly shorter in the LSA group. If the procedure was performed with CSA, significantly more wound infections occurred.

Conclusions

Both the circular and the linear stapler techniques for gastrojejunal anastomosis in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are safe methods with comparable outcomes. A disadvantage of CSA is the significantly higher rate of wound infections, a circumstance which requires increased attention.

Is it the technique or wound protection that is key to reducing wound infections in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures?

INTRODUCTION

An unusually high surgical site infection (SSI) rate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was noted on routine outcomes review. Surgeon A, who had a rate of 8.9%, utilized the transoral technique (passage down esophagus into gastric pouch) for anvil insertion for the circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy. By comparison, SSI rate was 0% for Surgeon B, who inserted anvil transabdominally (direct passage into stomach via gastrotomy) and used wound protection (wound protector and plastic drape over stapler). We sought to determine if it was the technique for anvil insertion (transoral or transabdominal) or use of wound protection that could help reduce SSIs.

METHODS

In mid-2017, Surgeon A added wound protection (wound protector and plastic drape over stapler) to the transoral technique to minimize oral flora wound contamination. Surgeon B made no changes. In this study, wound-related outcomes are examined, comparing patients who underwent surgery before (Group 1) versus after (Group 2) this intervention. Statistical analysis performed utilizing t tests and Chi square analysis; p < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

Three hundred and thirty-three patients underwent RYGB. Group 1 consisted of 182 patients over 17 months; 151 patients over 13 months were in Group 2. Groups were similar in age, BMI, gender, and prevalence of diabetes. There was a decrease in SSIs between Group 1 and Group 2 (5 vs. 0, p = 0.04). 11 wound complications occurred in Group 1 (5 SSIs, 4 seromas and 2 hematomas); whereas 2 wound complications occurred in Group 2 (1 seroma and 1 hematoma); decrease from 6 to 1.3%, p = 0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that changing technique can lead to best outcomes. There was a dramatic reduction of wound complications and complete elimination of SSIs with a change in operative technique. The higher risk of SSI with the transoral anvil insertion when preforming a circular-stapled anastomosis can be mitigated with use of wound protection.