Distal gastric bypass revision for weight recurrence or nonresponse to primary procedure: initial experience and outcomes in an academic practice

Does the length of bypassed bowel during distal gastric bypass affect weight loss?

INTRODUCTION

Weight recurrence (WR) affects > 20% of patients following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Shortening of the common channel (CC) after RYGB (distal bypass) has been proposed for additional weight loss in patients with WR, but results vary, and concerns for vitamin deficiencies/malnutrition exist. Our aim was to determine whether the percentage of bowel bypassed after distal bypass is associated with the amount of postoperative weight loss.

METHODS

Patients undergoing distal bypass between 2018 and 2022 were reviewed. Small bowel limb lengths before and after distal bypass were measured, and the percentage of bypassed bowel was calculated (= bypassed biliopancreatic limb/total small bowel length). Patients were dichotomized into two groups based on the percentage bypassed bowel (≤ 50% vs. > 50%). Weight loss (measured as excess BMI loss; EBIL%), comorbidities resolution, complications, and nutritional deficiencies were reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirty female patients underwent distal bypass during the study period. After distal bypass, the Roux was lengthened to 150 cm (75-175 cm) from 75 cm (20-200 cm), and the CC shortened to 150 cm (100-310 cm) from 510 cm (250-1000 cm). These changes resulted in an increase in the size of the bypassed biliopancreatic limb from 40 cm (15-90 cm) to 330 cm (180-765 cm) and a total alimentary limb (TALL; Roux + CC) shortening from 590 cm (400-1075 cm) to 300 cm (250-400 cm). The group with > 50% bowel bypassed had higher EBIL%. Overall EBIL% was 36.9 ± 14.7%, 53.3 ± 25.6%, and 62.1 ± 36.9% at 0.5, 1, and 2 years, respectively. There were minimal vitamin deficiencies. Diabetes resolved in 100% (n = 3/3), HTN in 67% (n = 10/15), and GERD in 73% (n = 11/15). Complication rate was 23%. No reintervention for malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies was required.

CONCLUSIONS

Distal bypass effectively leads to considerable weight loss and comorbidity improvement in patients with WR after RYGB, but the amount of weight loss depends on the percentage of bypassed bowel. An exact threshold of bypassed bowel that optimizes weight loss outcomes and simultaneously minimizes the nutritional complications needs to be determined. Meanwhile, close monitoring for vitamin deficiencies is recommended.

Long-term results of conversion of Roux-en-Y to biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most efficient bariatric procedures, postoperative weight regain still can be seen.

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively assess the early outcomes and up to 10-year weight results of the conversion of RYGB to biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS).

SETTING

French private hospital, 2-surgeon practice in a bariatric surgery center with an experience of >20 RYGB procedures.

METHODS

Analysis was conducted on patients who had a conversion of RYGB to BPD-DS performed since 2010 for a percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) <50% with a small gastric pouch.

RESULTS

A total of 65 females and 9 males aged 46.8 ± 8.8 years had an RYGB procedure done 110.6 ± 38.8 months earlier for a body mass index of 47.4 ± 7.8 kg/m2. Conversion was always performed in 1 stage and laparoscopically for 93% of the patients. The 30-day complication rate was 25.7%, with 14.8% of patients undergoing reoperation. Maximum results were seen 2 years after conversion, outranging RYGB: %EWL of 78.3% ± 24% with percent total weight loss (%TWL) of 35.9% ± 11.9% and %EWL of 72% ± 24.1% with %TWL of 32.6% ± 11%, respectively. The 5-year weight of all the patients (85.7% follow-up) remained lower than the pre-conversion weight. Over time, 1 reversal and 4 revisions were required, and frequent stools and gastroesophageal reflux were the most frequent complaints.

CONCLUSION

Despite its complexity, conversion of RYGB to BPD-DS can be performed in 1 stage, although the use of an unconventional technique could not reduce the high complication rate. BPD-DS remains an efficient procedure after RYGB in selected patients, comparable to distalization of RYGB, which can be less risky.

Outcome comparison between primary and revisional bariatric surgery: A propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Revisional bariatric procedures for weight recurrence are rising but are considered higher risk and less effective than primary bariatric procedures. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between primary and revisional bariatric surgery for weight recurrence.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from adult patients who underwent revisional or primary bariatric surgery from 2016 to 2020 in an academic institution were reviewed. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy were performed primarily or as conversion procedures after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, vertical banded gastroplasty, and sleeve gastrectomy. 1:1 propensity score matching was performed between revisional bariatric surgery and primary bariatric surgery, and logistic regression analysis was used to compare up to 2-year weight loss and comorbidity resolution outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of172 cases (86 revisional bariatric surgery versus 86 primary bariatric surgery) were included. Groups were matched for age, sex, preoperative body mass index, bariatric procedure, diabetes, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. Procedure duration (203 ± 78 vs 154 ± 69 minutes; P < .001) and length of stay (2.3 ± 2.1 vs 1.7 ± 1 days; P = .02) were longer for revisional bariatric surgery versus primary bariatric surgery, respectively. Total weight loss was less in revisional bariatric surgery compared with primary bariatric surgery at 1 year (23 ± 10% vs 32 ± 9%; P < .001) and 2 years (21 ± 12.% vs 32 ± 10%; P < .001) of follow-up; however, no differences were detected in postoperative occurrences, emergency department visits, readmissions, reintervention and reoperation rates, and comorbidity resolution.

CONCLUSION

Although revisional bariatric surgery was associated with longer operation times, prolonged hospitalization, and lower weight loss than primary bariatric surgery, it was accomplished safely and led to substantial weight loss and comorbidity resolution. This information can guide patient counseling before revisional surgery for weight recurrence.

Transoral outlet reduction: Outcomes of endoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass revision in 284 patients at a community practice

BACKGROUND

Transoral outlet reduction (TORe) is a minimally invasive endoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for weight recurrence; however, little has been published on its clinical implementation in the community setting.

AIM

To characterize the safety and efficacy of TORe in the community setting for adults with weight recurrence after RYGB.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of argon plasma coagulation and purse-string suturing for gastric outlet reduction in consecutive adults with weight recurrence after RYGB at a single community center from September 2020 to September 2022. Patients were provided longitudinal nutritional support via virtual visits. The primary outcome was total body weight loss (TBWL) at twelve months from TORe. Secondary outcomes included TBWL at three months and six months; excess weight loss (EWL) at three, six, and twelve months; twelve-month TBWL by obesity class; predictors of twelve-month TBWL; rates of post-TORe stenosis; and serious adverse events (SAE). Outcomes were reported with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-four adults (91.9% female, age 51.3 years, body mass index 39.3 kg/m2) underwent TORe an average of 13.3 years after RYGB. Median pre- and post-TORe outlet diameter was 35 mm and 8 mm, respectively. TBWL was 11.7% ± 4.6% at three months, 14.3% ± 6.3% at six months, and 17.3% ± 7.9% at twelve months. EWL was 38.4% ± 28.2% at three months, 46.5% ± 35.4% at six months, and 53.5% ± 39.2% at twelve months. The number of follow-up visits attended was the strongest predictor of TBWL at twelve months (R2 = 0.0139, P = 0.0005). Outlet stenosis occurred in 11 patients (3.9%) and was successfully managed with endoscopic dilation. There was one instance of post-procedural nausea requiring overnight observation (SAE rate 0.4%).

CONCLUSION

When performed by an experienced endoscopist and combined with longitudinal nutritional support, purse-string TORe is safe and effective in the community setting for adults with weight recurrence after RYGB.