Effort, safety, and findings of routine preoperative endoscopic evaluation of morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Effect of Histopathological Findings of Gastric Specimens Resected During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Weight Loss Success: A Retrospective Analysis of 599 Patients

BACKGROUND

Even though there aren't enough studies on long-term outcomes, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common procedure among weight loss surgeries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological results of resected stomach specimens of patients who underwent LSG and to analyze the effect of histopathological results on weight loss success.

METHODS

The patients were divided into two groups according to histopathological results of the pathology specimens: abnormal (chronic active gastritis, chronic inactive gastritis, neoplasias) and normal. If the excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) values were over 70% at the end of the first year following LSG, the patients were considered successful in terms of weight loss. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, preoperative body mass index (BMI) value, as well as postoperative first-year BMI, EWL%, total weight loss percentage (TWL%), and successful patient percentage.

RESULTS

A total of 599 patients were included in this study. When the patients were dichotomized according to their pathology results as normal or abnormal, 101 (%83.5) of the patients with normal pathology results had EWL% greater than 70%. On the contrary, 356 (74.5%) of the patients with abnormal pathology results had EWL% greater than 70%, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.038).

CONCLUSION

Patients with normal histopathologic examination results of resected gastric specimens after LSG are more successful than the patient population with abnormal histopathologic results in terms of the percentage of patients with EWL% above 70 at the end of the first postoperative year. We recommend routine histopathologic analysis of gastric specimens after LSG in severely obese patients.

GERD-screening before bariatric surgery: the predictive value of the GERD-HRQL questionnaire score compared with preoperative EGD findings

BACKGROUND

There is an ongoing debate on how to best identify patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) before bariatric surgery. The value of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is questioned, and patient reported symptoms are commonly used for screening. The goal of this study is to determine if patient reported symptoms using a validated questionnaire correlate with preoperative EGD findings.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective cohort study at a single institution was performed. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery between December 2020 and March 2023 were required to report symptoms of reflux by completing a preoperative GERD. Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire and undergo a mandatory preoperative screening EGD. Patients were stratified into two cohorts: (group A) asymptomatic (score = 0) and (group B) symptomatic (score > 0). Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson's chi-squared test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test in RStudio version 4.2.2. The predictive value of the GERD-HRQL score was analyzed using Areas Under the Curve (AUC; AUC = 0.5 not predictive, 0.5 < AUC ≥ 6 poor prediction & AUC > 0.9 excellent prediction) calculated from Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

200 patients were included; median age was 42.0 years (IQR 36.0 to 49.2). There were 79 patients (39.5%) in Group A and 121 patients (60.5%) in Group B. There was no difference in the frequency esophagitis (27.8% vs 32.2%, p = 0.61) or hiatal hernias (49.4% vs 47.1%, p = 0. 867) between group A and group B, respectively. ROC analysis revealed that the total GERD HRQL scores, heartburn only scores and regurgitation only scores, were poor predictors of esophagitis found on EGD (AUC 0.52, 0.53, 0.52), respectively. In asymptomatic patients, higher BMI was significantly associated with esophagitis (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.27, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Symptoms, identified through the GERD-HRQL questionnaire, are a poor indicator of esophagitis or its severity in patients undergoing workup for bariatric surgery. Therefore, liberal screening upper endoscopy is recommended for pre-bariatric surgery patients to guide appropriate procedure selection.

Preoperative Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and the Effect on Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Preoperative oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) in bariatric surgery remains a controversial topic, with a large variety in practice globally. An electronic database search of Medline, Embase and PubMed was performed in an aim to categorise the findings of preoperative endoscopies in bariatric patients. A total of 47 studies were included in this meta-analysis resulting in 23,368 patients being assessed. Of patients assessed, 40.8% were found to have no novel findings, 39.7% had novel findings which did not affect surgical planning, 19.8% had findings that affected their surgery and 0.3% were ruled to not be suitable for bariatric surgery. Preoperative OGD is altering surgical planning in one-fifth of patients; however, further comparative studies are required to determine if each patient should undergo this procedure especially if asymptomatic.

Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among individuals with obesity: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aims

Modern populations are prone to obesity, as sedentary lifestyles prevail globally. Previous research has shown that obesity and Helicobacter pylori are mutually associated. However, the global prevalence of H. pylori among individuals with obesity is not yet determined.

Methods

A comprehensive search will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science online databases for studies that have reported the prevalence of H. pylori infection among individuals with obesity. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies will be included if reported sufficient data. Records screening, data extraction, and quality assessment will be done by independent reviewers. Joanna Bridge Institute checklist for prevalence studies will be used to appraise the included studies. Prevalence will be pooled using random effect models. Heterogeneity will be quantified by I 2 and p value. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be utilized to address the sources of residual between-study heterogeneity.

Discussion

Understanding the regional and global occurrence of H. pylori infection in individuals with obesity can provide valuable insights for health policymakers and clinicians to devise proficient diagnostic and eradication strategies, thereby enhancing postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The study's strength will lie in not being restricted to language and time of publication, comprehensive investigation of regional and pre- and posteradication estimates, and the effects of time trends and sociodemographic indices on H. pylori prevalence. However, potential heterogeneity in methodologies used across prevalence studies could affect the interpretation of the results. Additionally, the study relies on previously published studies, limiting data quality and completeness.

High prevalence of incidental endoscopic findings at routine endoscopy after atrial fibrillation ablation: Do we need a screening endoscopy for the upper gastrointestinal tract in the general population?

INTRODUCTION

High-power short-duration ablation (HPSD) is an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation with thermal esophageal injury as a rare but relevant side effect.

AIM AND METHODS

In this retrospective single-center analysis we evaluated the incidence and relevance of ablation-induced findings and the prevalence of ablation-independent incidental gastrointestinal findings. For 15 months all patients undergoing ablation were screened by postablation esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Pathological findings were followed up and treated if necessary.

RESULTS

286 consecutive patients (66±10 years; 54.9% male) were included. 19.6% of patients showed ablation-associated alterations (10.8% esophageal lesions, 10.8% gastroparesis, 1.7% both findings). Logistic multivariable regression analysis confirmed an influence of lower BMI on the occurrence of RFA-associated endoscopic findings (OR 0.936, 95% CI 0.878-0.997, p<0.05). 48.3% of patients demonstrated incidental gastrointestinal findings. In 1.0% neoplastic lesions were present, 9.4% showed precancerous lesions and in 4.2% neoplastic lesions of unknown dignity were found requiring further diagnostics or therapy. 18.1% of patients demonstrated findings associated with a potentially increased risk of bleeding under anticoagulation. Patients with clinically relevant incidental findings were significantly more often male, 68.8% vs. 49.5% (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

HPSD ablation is safe, no devasting complication occurred in any patient. It resulted in 19.6% ablation-induced thermal injury whereas incidental findings of the upper GI tract were found in 48.3% of patients. Due to the high prevalence of 14.7% of findings requiring further diagnostics, therapy, or surveillance in a cohort that is mimicking the general population, screening endoscopy of the upper GI tract seems to be reasonable in the general population.

Is gastroscopy necessary before bariatric surgery?

Obesity is the abnormal accumulation of fat or adipose tissue in the body. It has become a serious health problem in the world in the last 50 years and is considered a pandemic. Body mass index is a widely used classification. Thus, obese individuals can be easily classified and standardized. Obesity is the second cause of preventable deaths after smoking. Obesity significantly increases mortality and morbidity. We thought of preparing a publication about routine procedures for the preoperative evaluation of obesity. The question that we asked as bariatric and metabolic surgeons but which was not exactly answered in the literature was "Is esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) necessary before bariatric surgery?" We found different answers in our literature review. The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery guidelines recommend EGD for all bariatric procedures. They strongly recommend it for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). As a result of a recent study by the members of the British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society, preoperative EGD is routinely recommended for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, even if they are asymptomatic, but not recommended for RYGB. It is recommended for symptomatic patients scheduled for RYGB. According to the International Sleeve Gastrectomy Expert Panel Consensus Statement, preoperative EGD is definitely recommended for patients scheduled for sleeve gastrectomy, but its routine use for RYGB is controversial. However, a different view is that the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends endoscopy only for symptomatic patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. In the literature, the primary goal of EGD recommended for sleeve gastrectomy has been interpreted as determining esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux. In the light of the literature, it is stated that this procedure is not necessary in America, while it is routinely recommended in the European continent. Considering medicolegal cases that may occur in the future, we are in favor of performing EGD before bariatric surgery. In conclusion, EGD before bariatric surgery is insurance for both patients and physicians. There is a need for larger and prospective studies to reach more precise conclusions on the subject.

Preoperative management of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: Role of endoscopy and Helicobacter eradication

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a pandemic disease associated to severe health problems. Management is usually multimodal, but many patients eventually need surgery to reduce weight. Many guidelines recommend endoscopy prior to surgery. This study reviews a series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy to see whether endoscopy performance and histopathological findings influence surgery outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective series of patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy as bariatric procedure at a single institution. We have reviewed the demographic data, the associated pathologies, endoscopic findings prior to surgery, histopathological findings in the surgical resection specimen and postoperative complication rate.

RESULTS

259 patients fulfilled criteria for the study. Over 70% were women and the mean age was 46.9 (SD 9.8). Preoperative endoscopy was performed in 28.9% of the patients and biopsy only in 19.3%. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 28% of the patients undergoing endoscopy (either in the biopsy or the urease test) and eradicated before surgery in all the patients. Helicobacter pylori was present in 9.7% of the surgical resection specimens and its presence was significantly associated with the development of postoperative complications, mostly staple line leaks (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that Helicobacter infection is significantly associated with postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy. It is therefore important to detect its presence and eradicate it before surgery.

Gastric Histopathologic Findings in South Italian Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Is Histopathologic Examination of All Resected Gastric Specimens Necessary?

BACKGROUND

The value of the routine histopathologic examination of resected gastric remnants following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) remains to be controversial. This study aimed to determine whether the routine histopathologic examination of gastric specimens is necessary for all patients undergoing LSG if upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) plus multiple biopsies are performed routinely during the preoperative work-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinicopathologic data of 474 patients who underwent LSG were analysed. Types of histopathologic findings in LSG specimens and the prevalence of these and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection were estimated. Comparisons were conducted to assess the association of risk factors with the most frequent abnormal and premalignant histopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Chronic gastritis was the most common gastric pathology (63.5%) and premalignant lesions were present in 7.8% of the specimens. The prevalence of HP infection was 36.9%. A statistically significant association was observed between HP infection and chronic gastritis (P = .000), and premalignant lesions (P = .000). Similarly, a statistically significant association was noted between age and premalignant gastric lesions (P = .000).

CONCLUSION

Histopathologic examination of LSG specimens may not be routinely needed and can be performed on selected patients. While we recommend routine preoperative UGIE in all LSG-treated patients, we suggest that histopathologic assessment of the LSG specimens should be mandatory when UGIE biopsies demonstrate HP infection and/or premalignant lesions, in all patients older than 42 years, and in cases of intraoperative detection of incidental tumours or suspicious lesions.

IFSO Position Statement on the Role of Esophago-Gastro-Duodenal Endoscopy Prior to and after Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Procedures

One of the roles of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) is to provide guidance on the management of patients seeking surgery for adiposity-based chronic diseases. The role of endoscopy around the time of endoscopy is an area of clinical controversy. In 2018, IFSO commissioned a task force to determine the role of endoscopy before and after surgery for the management of adiposity and adiposity-based chronic diseases. The following position statement is issued by the IFSO Endoscopy in Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery Taskforce. It has been approved by the IFSO Scientific Committee and Executive Board. This statement is based on current clinical knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence. It will be reviewed regularly.

ASMBS position statement on the rationale for performance of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy before and after metabolic and bariatric surgery

The following position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in response to inquiries made to the Society by patients, physicians, society members, hospitals, health insurance payors, the media, and others regarding the need and possible strategies for screening endoscopic examination before metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), as well as the rationale, indications, and strategies for postoperative surveillance for mucosal abnormalities, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated esophageal mucosal injuries (erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus) that may develop in the long term after MBS, specifically for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The general principles described here may also apply to procedures such as biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and BPD with duodenal switch (DS); however, the paucity of procedure-specific literature for BPD and DS limits the value of this statement to those procedures. In addition, children with obesity undergoing MBS may have unique considerations and are not specifically addressed in this position statement. This recommendation is based on current clinical knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence available at this time. The statement is not intended to be and should not be construed as stating or establishing a local, regional, or national standard of care. The statement will be revised in the future as additional evidence becomes available.

Barrett's Oesophagus and Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery-IFSO 2020 Position Statement

The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) has been playing an integral role in educating both the metabolic surgical and the medical community at large about the importance of surgical and/or endoscopic interventions in treating adiposity-based chronic diseases. The occurrence of chronic conditions following bariatric/metabolic surgery (BMS), such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and columnar (intestinal) epithelial metaplasia of the distal oesophagus (also known as Barrett's oesophagus (BE)), has long been discussed in the metabolic surgical and medical community. Equally, the risk of neoplastic progression of Barrett's oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and the resulting requirement for surgery are the source of some concern for many involved in the care of these patients, as the surgical alteration of the gastrointestinal tract may lead to impaired reconstructive options. As such, there is a requirement for guidance of the community.The IFSO commissioned a task force to elucidate three aspects of the presenting problem: First, to determine what the estimated incidence of Barrett's oesophagus is in patients presenting for BMS; second, to determine the frequency at which Barrett's oesophagus may develop following BMS (with a particular focus on the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)); and third, to determine if regression of Barrett's oesophagus may occur following BMS given the close relationship of obesity and the development of BE/EAC. Based on these findings, a position statement regarding the management of this pathology in the context of BMS was developed. The following position statement is issued by the IFSO Barrett's Oesophagus task force andapproved by the IFSO Scientific Committee and Executive Board. This statement is based on current clinical knowledge, expert opinion and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence. It will be reviewed regularly.

Prevalence of Upper Gastrointestinal Pathology in Patients with Obesity on Preoperative Endoscopy

Background and Objectives:

The preoperative work up for bariatric surgery is variable and not all centers perform a preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. A study was undertaken to determine the frequency of clinically significant gross endoscopic and pathological diagnoses in a large sample of patients with obesity undergoing work-up for bariatric surgery.

Methods:

Routine endoscopy was performed on all preoperative bariatric patients. A retrospective chart review of 1000 consecutive patients was performed. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (no endoscopic findings), Group B (clinically insignificant findings), Group C (clinically significant findings).

Results:

Patients had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 49 kg/m2 and 79% were female. In this sample one finding was found on preoperative EGD in 95.2% of patients, 33.9% had at least two diagnoses, and 29.9% had three or more diagnoses. Group A (no findings) consisted of 4.8% of patient, 52.5% in Group B (clinically insignificant findings), and 42.7% were in Group C (clinically significant findings). Clinically significant findings included hiatal hernia 23.5%, esophagitis 9.5%, H. pylori 7.1%, gastric erosions 5.7%, duodenitis 3.7%, Barrett's esophagus 3.1%, and Schatzki ring 1.2%. There was no significant correlation between preoperative BMI and any endoscopic findings (all p-value 0.05). Patients in Group C were statistically older than Groups A and B.

Conclusion:

Upper gastrointestinal pathology is highly common in patients with obesity. There is a significant rate of clinically significant endoscopy findings and all bariatric surgery patients should undergo preoperative endoscopy.

Data-Driven Development of an Institutional "Gross-Only" Policy for the Examination of Select Surgical Pathology Specimens

OBJECTIVES

To determine diagnostic, workflow, and economic implications of instituting a gross-only policy at our institution.

METHODS

Retrospective (2017) key word searches were performed to identify "gross-only" cases for which microscopic evaluation could potentially be omitted, but was performed, and those who underwent gross evaluation per surgeon request. Cases were evaluated for type(s), part(s), block volume, turnaround time, demographics, and diagnosis. Laboratory costs and reimbursement were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 448 potential gross-only cases with 472 specimens consisted of atherosclerotic plaques (33.5%), bariatric stomach/bowel (32.6%), hernia (15.7%), heart valves (12.7%), and other (5.9%). Four (2.6%) bariatric surgery cases had Helicobacter pylori infection; these were the only cases with "significant" histologic findings. Cost analysis revealed that converting all potential gross-only specimens to gross only would result in overall losses based on average reimbursements, most influenced by bariatric specimens (Current Procedural Terminology code 88307), comprising 65.2% of estimated loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing a gross-only policy should be guided by established recommendations but institutionally individualized and data driven. It was reasonable for us to establish a gross-only policy for most evaluated specimens, while excluding bariatric stomach specimens in which microscopic pathology could be missed, given the lack of H pylori screening at our institution.

Is Routine Preoperative Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Prior to Bariatric Surgery Mandatory? Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 10,685 Patients

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis searched, retrieved and synthesized the evidence as to whether preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (p-EGD) should be routine before bariatric surgery (BS).

METHODS

Databases searched for retrospective, prospective, and randomized (RCT) or quasi-RCT studies (01 January 2000-30 April 2019) of outcomes of routine p-EGD before BS. STROBE checklist assessed the quality of the studies. P-EGD findings were categorized: Group 0 (no abnormal findings); Group 1 (abnormal findings that do not necessitate changing the surgical approach or postponing surgery); Group 2 (abnormal findings that change the surgical approach or postpone surgery); and Group 3 (findings that signify absolute contraindications to surgery). We assessed data heterogeneity and publication bias. Random effect model was used.

RESULTS

Twenty-five eligible studies were included (10,685 patients). Studies were heterogeneous, and there was publication bias. Group 0 comprised 5424 patients (56%, 95% CI: 45-67%); Group 1, 2064 patients (26%, 95% CI: 23-50%); Group 2, 1351 patients (16%, 95% CI: 11-21%); and Group 3 included 31 patients (0.4%, 95% CI: 0-1%).

CONCLUSION

For 82% of patients, routine p-EGD did not change surgical plan/ postpone surgery. For 16% of patients, p-EGD findings necessitated changing the surgical approach/ postponing surgery, but the proportion of postponements due to medical treatment of H Pylori as opposed to "necessary" substantial change in surgical approach is unclear. For 0.4% patients, p-EGD findings signified absolute contraindication to surgery. These findings invite a revisit to whether p-EGD should be routine before BS, and whether it is judicious to expose many obese patients to an invasive procedure that has potential risk and insufficient evidence of effectiveness. Further justification is required.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection Prevalence and Histopathologic Findings in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that affects more than half of the world's population and has been associated with gastritis. The relationship between H. pylori and obesity is controversial. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly used surgery for morbidly obese patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of H. pylori in patients undergoing LSG.

METHODS

Biopsy specimens of 32,743 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and resection materials from 1257 patients who underwent LSG were examined histopathologically. The relationships between body mass index (BMI), age, gender, H. pylori infection, and intestinal metaplasia (IM) were investigated in patients with gastritis.

RESULTS

In patients undergoing EGD, the association of H. pylori infection was found to be increased in males and the elderly (p < 0.001). The presence of gastritis and IM was significantly higher with H. pylori infection (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). H. pylori infection was significantly higher in patients over the age of 41 years (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the results of H. pylori before and after LSG surgery (p = 0.923). The presence of H. pylori together with gastritis and IM was found to be significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori infection increases with age. No significant difference was found in the examination for H. pylori before and after LSG surgery. In addition, no relationship was found between H. pylori and excess weight. However, due to the low average age of patients who underwent LSG, further studies are needed in this area.

Is routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenscopy prior to bariatric surgery mandatory? protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenscopy (p-EGD) prior to bariatric surgery (BS) is currently widely undertaken, and hence an important issue with many clinical and financial repercussions. Yet, the true extent of why p-EGD is routinely undertaken for all bariatric patients remains not well understood.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

To address this, we will undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of routine p-EGD prior to BS from around the world. This protocol describes the methodological approach to be adopted and outlines the search strategies and eligibility criteria that will be employed to identify and select studies, and the way by which data from the selected studies will be extracted for analysis. PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov and Google scholar will be searched from 01 January 2000 to 30 April 2019 for original studies written in English that provided prevalence estimates of the outcomes of routine p-EGD prior to BS. STROBE criteria will assess the methodological quality of the selected studies. The use of fixed or random effects model will depend on the results of statistical tests for heterogeneity. Publication bias will be visually estimated by assessing funnel plots. Pooled estimates will be calculated. This protocol conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and has been submitted for registration at the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of systematic reviews. No ethical clearance is required for this study. This review will be published in a peer- reviewed journal and will be presented at various national and international conferences.

Preoperative Endoscopic and Radiologic Evaluation of Bariatric Patients: What Do They Add?

BACKGROUND

Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and barium swallow (BS) are commonly performed for evaluation in bariatric surgery patients. The routine use of these modalities has been controversial.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed to include primary bariatric surgery patients between March 2013 and August 2016.

RESULTS

Two hundred nine patients were included. All the patients underwent preoperative EGD and BS. The mean age was 43.12 years and BMI 46.4 kg/m². Reflux symptoms were present in 58.5% of patients. Preoperative EGD revealed abnormalities in 87.5% of patients: esophagitis (54.5%), Barrett's esophagus (5.3%), dysplasia (1%), and gastritis (51%). Endoscopic evidence of HH was documented in 52.2% of patients while only 34% of patients had evidence of HH in their BS. Of the asymptomatic patients, 80.2% had abnormal EGD. Helicobacter pylori on biopsy was found in 17.2% patients, out of which 47.2% were asymptomatic. Based on EGD findings, the choice of surgical procedure was changed in 3.34% of patients. Repair of HH was performed in 107 patients, with 68.2% (n = 73) symptomatic patients and 31.8% (n = 34) asymptomatic patients. On ROC analysis, EGD was better predictive of the presence of HH (AUC = 0.802, OR 5.20, p  =   < 0.0001) and symptoms were a poor indicator for GERD.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative EGD is abnormal in the majority of patients regardless of their symptoms. EGD is the only modality that can provide tissue sample, which can potentially determine the type of bariatric surgery. Given the low diagnostic accuracy of BS, its routine use can be eliminated.

Routine preoperative endoscopy in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

The role of routine preoperative endoscopy before primary weight loss surgery remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

We reviewed our experience to determine the frequency of abnormal findings in patients undergoing routine preoperative endoscopy before bariatric surgery.

SETTING

A tertiary level, academic-affiliated bariatric surgery practice.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed between July 2014 and June 2016 of patients undergoing routine preoperative endoscopy before primary bariatric surgery. Variables evaluated included preendoscopy symptoms, planned bariatric surgical procedure, abnormal findings on endoscopy, and changes in planned bariatric surgical procedure after endoscopy.

RESULTS

A total of 631 patients met inclusion criteria. Of patients, 72% (457) were female. The median age was 44 (interquartile range 36-55). The median body mass index was 46 (interquartile range 42-51). Most patients had no preendoscopy clinical symptoms (61.3%). The most frequent abnormal findings included esophagitis (26.5%), hiatal hernia (27.1%), gastric ulcer (4.9%), and biopsy-proven Barrett's esophagus (4.6%). Although patients with preoperative symptoms were more likely to have abnormal findings on endoscopy, there were no significant differences in rates of Barrett's esophagus in patients with (5.3%) or without (4.1%) symptoms. Of the total cohort, 18.4% had a change in their planned operation after endoscopy results.

CONCLUSION

The findings in our large series suggest selective screening in symptomatic patients only may lead to failure of discovery of foregut pathology that should prompt consideration for changes in the planned bariatric surgical procedure. Further study is necessary to see if our findings have broad applicability.

Surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the obese patient

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects two thirds of the American population. Obesity is also a disease that affects two thirds of the population. The pathophysiology of reflux disease is reasonably understood, however, the degree to which obesity affects this disease remains poorly defined. Therefore the approach to GERD in the obese patient requires special attention and its own algorithm.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to consolidate the current available literature on GERD and its management in the obese. In addition, the authors reviewed the literature and present expert opinion on controversial topics.

RESULTS

It is well established that GERD is increased in obesity and the pathophysiology is reviewed. Management options for GERD are discussed, with a focus on the obese population. Management strategies including fundoplication and gastric bypass are discussed. In addition, bariatric surgery in the setting of GERD is also reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently this is an extremely controversial topic and this white paper presents a strong review of the literature to help guide the management of this challenging disease in this population. Expert recommendations are given throughout the paper based upon the current available data.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Findings in Patients on the Waiting List for Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery (BS) is one of the most effective approaches to weight loss. Performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) prior to BS is controversial but allows the detection and treatment of mucosal lesions that may affect surgical decision and type of surgery.

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of gastric lesions and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in a group of asymptomatic patients on the waiting list for BS.

METHODS

This is a retrospective descriptive study including patients undergoing EGD before BS.

RESULTS

A total of 360 patients were included with a mean age of 42.1 ± 10.8 years, 319 (88.6%) were females, with a mean body mass index of 42.8 ± 5.44 kg/m2. Regarding endoscopic findings, 25.6% presented no endoscopic lesions, 61.6% presented hyperemic gastropathy, 11.4% erosive gastropathy, 1.1% gastric polyp, and 0.3% gastric ulcer. Histologically, no changes were observed in 20.8% of the patients, 239 (66.4%) presented with superficial gastritis, 11.7% (n = 42) had chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (n = 34 in the antrum, n = 1 in the body, and n = 7 in both the antrum and the body), and 1.7% (n = 6) had low-grade dysplasia. Hp was positive in 251 (69.7%) patients. We found that patients with metaplasia or dysplasia were more frequently submitted to surgical techniques that did not exclude the stomach (55.8 vs. 16.4%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

EGD with histological analysis plays an important role in the pre-surgical evaluation in BS, with a high rate of pathological findings in asymptomatic patients. These findings may have an impact on the long-term management and outcomes of these patients.

Gastroesophageal reflux-related physiologic changes after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a prospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

The development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a major concern as it affects the quality of life of the patients and potentially exposes them to the complications of GERD. The reported incidence of GERD after LSG is up to 35%. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is considered the procedure of choice for patients with morbid obesity with GERD but objective evidence based on physiologic studies for the same are limited.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the study were to determine the physiologic changes related to gastroesophageal reflux based on symptoms index, 24-hour pH study, impedance, and manometry after LSG and LRYGB.

SETTINGS

Tertiary care teaching hospital, India.

METHODS

This registered study (CTRI/2017/06/008834) is a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label clinical trial comparing the incidence of GERD after LSG and LRYGB. In this study, non-GERD patients were evaluated for GERD based on clinical questionnaires, 24-hour pH study, and impedance manometry preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Thirty patients underwent LSG, and 16 patients underwent LRYGB. The mean DeMeester score increased from 10.9 ± 11.8 to 40.2 ± 38.6 (P = .006) after LSG. The incidence of GERD after LSG was 66.6%. The increase in DeMeester score from 9.5 ± 4.6 to 12.2 ± 17.2 after LRYGB was not significant (P = .7). There was a significant increase in the nonacid reflux both after LSG and LRYGB.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of GERD after LSG is high, making it a contraindication for LSG. LRYGB remains the preferred procedure for patients with GERD. However, more studies are needed to understand the physiologic changes in patients with preexisting GERD.

Pathologic findings of the removed stomach during sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the preferred surgical intervention to treat morbid obesity. Despite the rising popularity of LSG, little is known on the histopathologic findings of the resected partial stomach specimens. Our study aims to identify prevalent pathologic findings of the removed stomach and explore the association between patient characteristics and abnormal findings.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using a prospectively maintained database of 649 patients who underwent LSG between November 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 at our institution. Patient characteristics included age, body mass index, gender, and preoperative comorbidities (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, gastroesophageal reflux, hypertension, and sleep apnea). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Abnormal pathologic findings were identified in approximately one-fifth (n = 142, 21.9%) of the patients. The most common find is non-specific chronic gastritis (9.7%), followed by Helicobacter pylori gastritis (4.9%). Approximately 15% of patients had significant histopathological alterations that might require further investigation, treatment, or follow-up, including non-specific chronic gastritis, H. pylori gastritis, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The odds of abnormal findings in patients without hyperlipidemia was 0.09 times the corresponding odds in those with hyperlipidemia (95% CI 0.03-0.29), controlling for factors including age, body mass index, gender, and other preoperative comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux and hyperlipidemia might suggest higher incidence rate of gastric histopathologic abnormalities. Routine preoperative screening may not be beneficial for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy.

Preoperative Evaluation in Bariatric Surgery

An adequate preoperative workup is critical for the success of bariatric surgery. A key component of the preoperative evaluation involves a comprehensive patient education about surgical outcomes and the postoperative behavioral regimen required. A complete medical evaluation should include the study of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems as well as a metabolic status assessment. The nutrition professional should be in charge of the nutritional assessment, preoperative weight loss efforts, and diet education regarding postoperative eating behaviors. A psychological evaluation is also needed because psychosocial factors have a significant impact on the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery, including adherence to recommended postoperative lifestyle regimen, emotional adjustment, and weight loss outcomes. We recommend preoperative abdominal ultrasound to assess for biliary tract pathology, steatosis, fibrosis, and presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. A routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy is also recommended to evaluate common gastrointestinal disorders associated with obesity. Preoperative weight loss should be strongly encouraged.

The need for a patient-tailored Helicobacter pylori eradication protocol prior to bariatric surgery

Objective High-quality data indicating the advantages of preoperative Helicobacter pylori screening and eradication as well the clinical outcomes of patients with and without H. pylori after bariatric surgery are lacking. Methods In total, 96 morbidly obese patients with H. pylori preparing for bariatric surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of 96 biopsy specimens, 73 (76%) were positive for H. pylori on initial Giemsa staining. These patients were treated with the standard 7-day antibiotic treatment protocol corrected by the individual patient's creatinine clearance rate and body mass index and received a 30% higher dose because of their H. pylori positivity. A linear correlation was found between the effective antibiotic dose and the BMI with a recurrence rate of only 2.1% (2/96 patients). The preoperative percent estimated weight loss before surgery (17%) and in the first year of follow-up (68%-88%) was statistically equal between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients. Two early postoperative infectious complications and two postoperative surgical complications occurred in the preoperatively H. pylori-positive patients. Conclusions A patient-tailored H. pylori eradication protocol prior to bariatric surgery is mandatory to improve the eradication rate and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in mostly asymptomatic H. pylori-positive bariatric candidates.

The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Estonian Bariatric Surgery Patients

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is one of the most important human pathogens that can cause duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastritis and stomach cancer. Hp infection is considered to be a cause of limiting access to bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hp in patients with obesity going into bariatric surgery and to reveal the relationship between Hp and clinical data. The study group was formed of 68 preoperative bariatric surgery patients (body mass index (BMI) 44.7 ± 4.8). Gastric biopsies (antrum and corpus) were used for histological and molecular (caqA and glmM genes) examinations. The PCR method revealed Hp infection in 64.7% of obese patients that is higher in comparison with histological analysis (55.9%). The prevalence of cagA and glmM genes in antrum mucosa was 45.6% and 47.0% while in the corpus it was 41.2% and 38.3%, respectively. The coincidence of both cagA and glmM virulence genes in the antrum and corpus mucosa was 33.8% and 22.1%, respectively. Either of the genes was found in 58.8% of antrum and 57.3% of corpus mucosa. Presence of caqA and glmM genes was in association with active and atrophic chronic gastritis. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that two thirds of morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery are infected with Hp and have a high prevalence of cagA and glmM virulence genes that points out the necessity for diagnostics and treatment of this infection before surgery.

Current Status of Preoperative Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD) in Bariatric NHS Units-a BOMSS Survey

PURPOSE

Preoperative oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (p-OGD) is often routinely employed in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The value of p-OGD is still unclear; however, since all bariatric procedures modify stomach anatomy differently with exclusion of the remnant in a majority of cases, the question arises whether there is a rational for including it routinely in the preoperative pathway.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To assess the current status of p-OGD in the UK, a survey was sent to the British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society members, regarding preoperative evaluation of patients, focusing on the role of p-OGD. Forty-nine UK bariatric units (in excess of 5000 patients estimated caseload/year) answered.

RESULTS

The survey has shown that 44 units (90 %) include OGD in their preoperative work up, routinely or selectively. According to results, 25 units (51 %) changed the operative plans after OGD because of peptic ulcer (46 %), hiatus hernia (43 %), Barrett's oesophagus (32 %) or gastrointestinal stromal tumour (25 %). Only 2 units (7 %) found incidental gastrointestinal cancer. When specifically asked, p-OGD was believed to be essential in patients with family history of gastrointestinal cancer (61 %), pernicious anaemia (57 %) and reflux symptoms (54 %). Five units (10 %) considered p-OGD completely unnecessary. Only 11 units (25 %) would not be able to accommodate routine p-OGD in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Most units value p-OGD, either selectively or routinely, in preparation for bariatric surgery. However, there seems to be a discrepancy on the specific risk factors involved in the selection process. National and international guidelines are advocated.

Is Preoperative Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery Mandatory? An Asian Perspective

BACKGROUND

The role of routine preoperative oesopha gogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) for all bariatric surgery candidates is controversial. We aim to investigate the prevalence of clinically significant OGD findings in a primarily Chinese obese population and identify factors that predict a normal screening OGD.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery in our centre from August 2002 to December 2014 were reviewed. OGD findings were classified into two groups: group 1 consisted of normal findings and abnormal findings that would not alter the surgical plan; group 2 consisted of lesions that might delay or alter the surgical procedure.

RESULTS

We identified 268 patients (169 female), of mean age 39.1 ± 10.8 years, mean baseline body weight 108.7 ± 6.1 kg and mean body mass index (BMI) 40.3 ± 6.1 kg/m² for analysis. Overall prevalence of abnormal OGD findings was 51.1 %, which included gastritis (32.5 %), hiatus hernia (17.9 %), duodenitis (8.6 %) and erosive oesophagitis (7.5 %); 27.2 % had group 2 lesions. Univariate analysis revealed older age (p = 0.016), use of NSAIDs (p = 0.004) and presence of reflux symptoms (p = 0.029) as significant risk factors of group 2 lesions. On multivariate analysis, use of NSAIDs (p = 0.015) and reflux symptoms (p = 0.039) remained significant predictive factors. In the low-risk subgroup (40 years and younger, without reflux symptoms or use of NSAIDs), the prevalence of group 2 abnormalities was 18.9 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant endoscopic abnormalities are common among obese Chinese patients which may delay or change the surgical plan. The negative predictive value in low-risk patients was not strong. We therefore recommend routine preoperative endoscopy for all patients.

Usefulness of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms as a Driver to Prescribe Gastroscopy in Obese Patients Candidate to Bariatric Surgery. A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Before bariatric surgery, the necessity of routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is controversial, and guidelines recommend endoscopy in symptomatic cases. However, impaired visceral sensation occurring in obese patients may be misleading. The purpose of the study is to evaluate prospectively the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopic findings, and the relation between symptoms and endoscopic findings in obese patients before surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred forty-two consecutive patients candidate to primary bariatric surgery filled out the validated Rome III symptomatic questionnaire and performed endoscopy.

RESULTS

With a median age of 41 years and BMI of 44 Kg/m(2), 83% were females. Symptoms were referred by 43% of patients: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (27.9%) and dyspepsia (24.6%), subdivided in postprandial distress (PDS) (66.7%) and epigastric pain (33.3%) syndromes. Of GERD patients, 19.7% presented concomitantly PDS. Belching was present in 8.2% and nausea and/or vomiting in 1.6% of patients. At endoscopy, one or more lesions were present in 47.1% of the patients: erosive esophagitis (5.6%), hiatal hernia (23.2%), gastroduodenal erosions (6.3%), and peptic ulcers (3.5%). At histology, 24% of patients have Helicobacter pylori infection, and its prevalence in gastroduodenal erosions and ulcers was 22.2 and 60%, respectively. Surprisingly, in patients with peptic lesions H. pylori-negative, no chronic use of NSAIDs was reported. Analyzing the coexistence of symptoms and lesions, these resulted equally distributed beyond the presence of symptoms, being present in 44.2 and 49.4% of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of symptoms cannot be considered as a valuable guide to indicate endoscopy since the majority of endoscopic lesions were asymptomatic and not H. pylori-related.

Spectrum of Gastric Histopathologies in Severely Obese American Patients Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a commonly performed weight loss procedure, but the pathologic findings in sleeve specimens have not been investigated in a US population.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of histopathologic findings in LSG specimens from 310 consecutive bariatric patients at the Hershey Medical Center between June 2008 and August 2014.

RESULTS

Patients were 19 to 75 years old (mean 45 years) with a female-to-male ratio of 3:1. The histopathologic findings included the following: no pathological alteration in 214 patients (69.0 %), chronic inactive gastritis in 41 (13.2 %), fundic gland polyp in 17 (5.5 %), proton pump inhibitor therapy effect in 12 (3.9 %), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated chronic active gastritis in 10 (3.2 %), chronic active gastritis (H. pylori negative) in 5 (1.6 %), chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia in 4 (1.0 %), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in 3 (1.0 %), and hyperplastic polyp, granulomatous inflammation, xanthogranulomatous inflammation, and mucosal ulceration in 1 patient each (0.3 %). Prior endoscopy was performed in 8 patients (2.6 %) for unrelated causes, and the results did not change the surgical management. Nine patients (2.9 %) had a concurrent liver biopsy for visual evidence of significant hepatic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Although most cases showed no pathologic alteration, a minority had significant findings, with the incidence of GISTs higher than that reported in other series. Despite negative preoperative H. pylori testing, 3.2 % were still histologically positive, raising questions about the accuracy of preoperative methods used for H. pylori testing and treatment. Preoperative endoscopy may not be needed in sleeve patients.

Place of upper endoscopy before and after bariatric surgery: A multicenter experience with 3219 patients

AIM: To study the preoperative and postoperative role of upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in morbidly obese patients.

METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study by reviewing the database of patients who underwent bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass, or laparoscopic minigastric bypass) in the period between 2001 June and 2015 August (Jahra Hospital-Kuwait, Hafr Elbatin Hospital and King Saud Medical City-KSA, and Mansoura University Hospital - Egypt). Patients with age 18-65 years, body mass index (BMI) > 40, or > 35 with comorbidities after failure of many dietetic regimen and acceptable levels of surgical risk were included in the study after having an informed signed consent. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of all morbidly obese patients. The patients’ preoperative data included clinical history including upper digestive symptoms and preoperative full workup including EGD. Only patients whose charts revealed weather they were symptomatic or not were studied. We categorized patients accordingly into two groups; with (group A) or without (group B) upper digestive symptoms. The endoscopic findings were categorized into 4 groups based on predetermined criteria. The medical record of patients who developed stricture, leak or bleeding after bariatric surgery was reviewed. Logestic regression analysis was used to identify preoperative predictors that might be associated with abnormal endoscopic findings.

RESULTS: Three thousand, two hundred and nineteen patients in the study period underwent bariatric surgery (75% LSG, 10% LRYDB, and 15% MGB). Mean BMI was 43 ± 13, mean age 37 ± 9 years, 79% were female. Twenty eight percent had presented with upper digestive symptoms (group A). EGD was considered normal in 2414 (75%) patients (9% group A vs 66% group B, P = 0.001). The abnormal endoscopic findings were found high in those patients with upper digestive symptoms. Abnormal findings (one or more) were found in 805 (25%) patients (19% group A vs 6% group B, P = 0.001). Seven patients had critical events during conscious sedation due to severe hypoxemia (< 60%). Rate of stricture in our study was 2.6%. Success rate of endoscopic dilation was 100%. One point nine percent patients with gastric leak were identified with 75% success rate of endoscopic therapy. Three point seven percent patients developed acute upper bleeding. Seventy-eight point two percent patients were treated by conservative therapy and EGD was performed in 21.8% with 100% success and 0% complications.

CONCLUSION: Our results support the performance of EGD only in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Endoscopy also offers safe effective tool for anastomotic complications after bariatric surgery.

The role of routine preoperative upper endoscopy in bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The necessity of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) before bariatric surgery is controversial. European guidelines recommend routine EGD while North American guidelines recommend a selective approach.

OBJECTIVE

Perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the proportion and scope of clinical findings discovered at preoperative EGD.

SETTING

Academic hospital, Canada.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases included MeSH terms "bariatric surgery," "endoscopy," and "preoperative." Inclusion criteria were any case series, cohort study, or clinical trial describing results of preoperative EGD for any bariatric surgery. Exclusion criteria were studies with<10 patients, patients<18 years of age, or revisional operations. Changes in surgical and medical management and proportions of pathologic findings were extracted and combined in a meta-analysis using the random effects model.

RESULTS

Initial search identified 532 citations. Forty-eight were included after full text review. Included studies comprised 12,261 patients with a mean (SD) age of 40.5 (1.3) years and body mass index of 46.3 (1.5) kg/m(2). The majority of patients (77.1%) were female. The proportion of EGDs resulting in a change in surgical management was 7.8%. After removing benign findings with controversial impact on management (hiatal hernia, gastritis, peptic ulcer), this was found to be .4%. Changes in medical management were seen in 27.5%, but after eliminating Helicobacter pylori eradication, this was found to be 2.5%.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative EGD in average-risk, asymptomatic bariatric surgery patients should be considered optional, as the proportion of EGDs that resulted in important changes in management was low.

Chronic Gastritis in Morbidly Obese Patients with Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a condition that has significant impact on public health. Recent exciting studies have linked chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection to obesity. Chronic gastritis has shown increased prevalence in obesity, more particularly H. pylori-related gastritis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic gastritis in morbidly obese patients who were subjected to sleeve gastrectomy, with focus on H. pylori-related gastritis. The aim was to demonstrate any influence on chronic gastritis of the surgical procedure or its post-operative course.

METHODS

One hundred six morbidly obese patients were subjected to vertical sleeve gastrectomy in King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) from March 2014 to April 2015. After full pre-operative preparation, sleeve gastrectomy was carried out, followed by histological examination of the specimen to view the chronic gastritis and H. pylori-related cases. All epidemiological data of the patients, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), as well as mean operative time, length of hospital stay, and post-operative complications were documented and analyzed by IBM-SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

Female patients presented the higher prevalence, i.e., 66% among the group of patients with sleeve resection, while 33% had chronic gastritis and 8.5% had H. pylori-related gastritis.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the high prevalence of chronic gastritis in morbidly obese patients with reference to the high incidence of H. pylori-related gastritis among them, however no relationship was found between this infection and the post-operative outcome.

CORRELATION BETWEEN PRE AND POSTOPERATIVE UPPER DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY IN PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT ROUX-EN-Y GASTROJEJUNAL BYPASS

BACKGROUND

Bariatric operations have variable range of complications and postoperative benefits. Gastroesophageal reflux is considered potential factor that may result in damage to the esophageal mucosa and this subject is quite controversial in the literature.

AIM

To evaluate patients who underwent to Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal bypass correlating epidemiologic and endoscopic findings in pre and postoperative periods.

METHOD

A retrospective, paired study which evaluated 110 patients. Inclusion criteria were formal indication for bariatric surgery and patients with pre and postoperative endoscopy. Exclusion criteria were previous bariatric surgery, patients subjected to other types of bariatric surgery and those who had no pre or postoperative upper digestive endoscopy. The epidemiological variables were: sex, age, body mass index, type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, and preoperative dyslipidemia.

RESULTS

The preoperative upper endoscopy was normal in 26.4% of the patients. Among endoscopic alterations, the hiatus hernia was the most prevalent followed by non-erosive gastritis. The postoperative upper endoscopy was normal in 40.9% and stenosis was the most prevalent followed by marginal ulcer. Correlation on pre and postoperative endoscopies, was found 100% reduction of hiatal hernias and 88% of esophagitis. There was no statistical significance in relationship to anastomotic stenosis with preoperative other variables. Conclusions . There was significant decrease in postoperative hiatus hernia, erosive esophagitis, non-erosive esophagitis, erosive gastritis and non-erosive gastritis with the operation. Stenosis of the gastrojejunostomy anastomosis was the most prevalent postoperative complication with no correlation with preoperative variables.

Prevalence of Chronic Gastritis or Helicobacter pylori Infection in Adolescent Sleeve Gastrectomy Patients Does Not Correlate with Symptoms or Surgical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

In adults undergoing gastric bypass surgery, it is routine practice to perform pre-operative testing for Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that infection impairs anastomotic healing and contributes to complications. There currently are no data for adolescents undergoing bariatric procedures. Despite few patients with pre-operative symptoms, we noted occasional patients with H. pylori detected after sleeve gastrectomy. We reviewed our experience with our adolescent sleeve gastrectomy cohort to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection, its predictive factors, and association with outcomes. We hypothesized that H. pylori infection would be associated with pre-operative symptoms, but not surgical outcomes.

METHODS

All patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy at our hospital were included. We conducted a chart review to determine pre- or post-operative symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD or gastritis, operative complications, and long-term anti-reflux therapy after surgery. Pathology reports were reviewed for evidence of gastritis and H. pylori infection.

RESULTS

78 adolescents had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy from January 2010 through July 2014. The prevalence of chronic gastritis was 44.9% (35/78) and 11.4% of those patients had H. pylori (4/35). Only one patient with H. pylori had pre-operative symptoms, and only 25.7% (9/35) of patients with pathology-proven gastritis had symptoms. One staple line leak occurred but this patient did not have H. pylori or gastritis. Mean patient follow-up was 10 (3-26) mos.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a moderate prevalence of gastritis among adolescents undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, but only a small number of these patients had H. pylori infection. Neither the presence of chronic gastritis nor H. pylori infection correlated with symptoms or outcomes. Thus, in the absence of predictive symptomology or adverse outcome in those who are infected, we advocate for continued routine pathologic evaluation without the required need for pre-operative determination unless or until H. pylori infection is associated with adverse surgical outcomes.

EVALUATION OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING BARIATRIC SURGERY

BACKGROUND

Obesity has become epidemic, and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Treatment is multidisciplinary. Surgical treatment is a consistent resource in severe obesity. The indication of preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in asymptomatic patients is controversial; however, most studies recommend its implementation in all patients.

AIM

To analyze endoscopic performance in patients who were in preoperative for bariatric surgery and compare them with control group.

METHOD

A series of 35 obese patients in preoperative period for bariatric surgery compared with a control group of 30 patients submitted to upper endoscopy. There were analyzed clinical and endoscopic data.

RESULTS

The mean age of the group of patients was 43.54 years. Most individuals in the group of patients were female with median BMI of 47.26 kg/m2 and in control group 24.21 kg/m2. The majority of patients were asymptomatic. Upper endoscopy was altered in 81.25% of asymptomatic patients. Endoscopic findings in the patient group were 57.1% resulting from peptic ulcer disease and 34.3% associated with GERD. The analysis of endoscopic findings in patients showed no significant difference in relation of the control group. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 60% in patients.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that the upper endoscopy should be made in all patients in the preoperative bariatric surgery period, although the degree of obesity is not related to a greater number of endoscopic findings. Obese patients do not have more endoscopic findings that non-obese individuals.