Adaptive and Neuroendocrine Procedures: A New Pathway in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

The Sleeve Gastrectomy with Jejunal Bypass (Original Technique)

Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy with jejunal bypass (SGJB) has been used as a bariatric/metabolic procedure since 2003, in the search for a simpler than other standard techniques and as effective as them. The jejunal-ileal anastomosis can deliver food directly to the hindgut where incretins are secreted. This procedure has gained popularity around the globe and has been studied in rat models as in humans, especially in South America and Asia. In this review, we present the details of the original surgical technique SGJB, summarized all the publications of the procedure, discuss possible advantages and disadvantages, and provide scientific information to look for the real place between bariatric/metabolic procedures. Methods: With 20 years of experience performing the original SGJB, the authors present the details of the procedure. Results: The SGJB consists of a traditional sleeve with the addition of a jejunal bypass. The jejunum is transected 20-30 cm distally to the ligament of Treitz. Then, the biliopancreatic limb is anastomosed to restore transit 250-300 cm distal to the jejunum transection. This way, the ileum gets in contact with partially digested food with the subsequent production of incretins. Conclusion: In this article, we describe the original Alamo technique of SGJB. It is important to clarify the technical details since many publications have presented different lengths of the defunctionalized jejunal limb. Also, the SGJB has been categorized in the "sleeve plus" procedures and its promising outcomes should rapidly position it as an alternative metabolic surgery.

Single-Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass: Hopes and Concerns after a Two-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Single-anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass is a simplification of sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition. Both share a metabolic foundation through early postprandial ileal brake, and SASI bypass has the advantages of shorter operative time and less incidence of internal herniation. This study evaluates the safety and outcome of SASI bypass with 2-year follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent SASI bypass in the period between June 2016 and January 2019. The primary outcome was weight loss and diabetic remission.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty-two patients underwent SASI bypass with a mean age of 37.4 ± 15 years and a mean body mass index of 50.1 ± 7.7 kg/m². Thirteen patients (4%) had early major postoperative complications. The 1-year percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 86.9 ± 9.2, and diabetic remission rate was 98.2%. The 2-year %EWL was 96.7 ± 5, and diabetic remission rate was 97.9%. Twenty-six patients had gastroesophageal reflux that improved in 21 (80.7%) patients, remained stationary in 4 (15.4%) patients, and worsened in one patient who required reversal. One patient (0.3%) had severe protein-energy malnutrition and is prepared for reversal. Technical variations had no significant impact on %EWL or diabetic remission.

CONCLUSION

SASI bypass had a promising outcome in terms of 2-year %EWL, diabetic remission, and improvement of preoperative GERD. However, stationary or progressive course of GERD is a substantial possibility. Although the double-outlet for the gastric content allows duodenal access, it may be an obstacle to the standardization of postoperative care. The double-outlet is not a guarantee for absence of malnutrition.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in severely obese adolescents: effects on metabolic profile

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to conduct clinical and metabolic evaluations of obese adolescents before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (up to 24 months).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This was designed as a retrospective, descriptive series of cases study, conducted in Instituto da Criança, São Paulo, Brazil. Analysis of clinical and laboratory data from 22 obese adolescents between 14 and 19 years old submitted to LSG between 2007 and 2014. Patients had BMI > 40 kg/m2 or BMI > 35 kg/m2 with comorbidities. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory assessments were performed: before surgery, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. We assessed weight loss and metabolic changes up to 24 months after LSG.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative weight and BMI were 128.5 kg (SD = 23.1) and 46.5 kg/m2 (SD = 74), respectively. There was an average weight loss of 34.5 kg in the first 12 months' post LSG, corresponding to a 60% excess weight loss (EWL), as well as an average reduction in BMI of 12.3 kg/m2. However, after 24 months, the average EWL was 45%, corresponding to an average weight regain (WR) of 13.3 kg (15%) within two years. LSG improved dyslipidemia in 67.8% of patients, a significant remission of hepatic steatosis 47% and 37.7% systemic arterial hypertension; type 2 diabetes remission was complete.

CONCLUSIONS

LSG proved to be a safe and effective procedure and seems to be the new hope for the obesity epidemic.

Sleeve gastrectomy with anti-reflux procedures

OBJECTIVE

Sleeve gastrectomy is the fastest growing surgical procedure to treat obesity in the world but it may cause or worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease. This article originally aimed to describe the addition of anti-reflux procedures (removal of periesophageal fats pads, hiatoplasty, a small plication and fixation of the gastric remnant in position) to the usual sleeve gastrectomy and to report early and late results.

METHODS

Eighty-eight obese patients that also presented symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were submitted to sleeve gastrectomy with anti-reflux procedures. Fifty of them were also submitted to a transit bipartition. The weight loss of these patients was compared to consecutive 360 patients previously submitted to the usual sleeve gastrectomy and to 1,140 submitted to sleeve gastrectomy + transit bipartition. Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were specifically inquired in all anti-reflux sleeve gastrectomy patients and compared to the results of the same questionnaire applied to 50 sleeve gastrectomy patients and 60 sleeve gastrectomy + transit bipartition patients that also presented preoperative symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

RESULTS

In terms of weight loss, excess of body mass index loss percentage after anti-reflux sleeve gastrectomy is not inferior to the usual sleeve gastrectomy and anti-reflux sleeve gastrectomy + transit bipartition is not inferior to sleeve gastrectomy + transit bipartition. Anti-reflux sleeve gastrectomy did not add morbidity but significantly diminished gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and the use of proton pump inhibitors to treat this condition.

CONCLUSION

The addition of anti-reflux procedures, such as hiatoplasty and cardioplication, to the usual sleeve gastrectomy did not add morbidity neither worsened the weight loss but significantly reduced the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms as well as the use of proton pump inhibitors.

Sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition: a potent intervention for metabolic syndrome and obesity

OBJECTIVE

To present 5-year results of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with transit bipartition (TB) as a metabolic intervention for obesity.

BACKGROUND

Recent data suggest that high glycemic index foods may lead to a hormonally hyperactive proximal gut and a hypoactivate distal gut, which are linked to metabolic syndrome. TB was designed to counterbalance these effects.

METHODS

A total of 1020 obese patients with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 33 to 72 Kg/m underwent SG and TB (SG + TB). TB creates a gastroileal anastomosis in the antrum after the SG; nutrient transit is maintained in the duodenum, avoiding blind loops and minimizing malabsorption. The stomach retains 2 outflow pathways. A lateral enteroanastomosis connects both segments at 80 cm proximal to the cecum.

RESULTS

Adequate follow-up data were collected in 59.1% of patients from 4 months to 5 years. The average percent of excess BMI loss was 91%, 94%, 85%, 78%, and 74% in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth year, respectively. Patients experienced early satiety and major improvement in presurgical comorbidities, including diabetes (86% in remission), following surgery. Two deaths occurred (0.2%). Other surgical complications occurred in 6% of patients. Signs of malabsorption were rare.

CONCLUSIONS

SG + TB is a simple procedure that results in rapid weight loss and remission or major improvement of comorbidities. Strictly aiming at physiological correction, TB avoids prostheses, narrow anastomoses, excluded segments, and malabsorption. Weight and comorbidities are much improved. Diabetes is improved without duodenal exclusion. TB is an excellent complement to an SG.

Improved double-fuse technique for post-bariatric brachioplasty

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of modified brachioplasty, investigating in late postoperative complications and satisfaction with the outcome, in women previously submitted to bariatric surgery.

METHODS

The population (N = 18, age 49.2 ± 11.3 years), which had undergone brachioplasty 25.2 ± 11.9 months after the bariatric procedure, was contacted after 31.7 ± 38.8 additional months. Surgical complications and satisfaction with the operation were estimated by interviews, including a questionnaire designed for this purpose.

RESULTS

pre-bariatric body mass index (BMI) was 57.1 ± 11.1 kg / m(2), being 28.3 ± 6.0 kg/m(2) before the brachioplasty, without significant changes thereafter. Three minor surgical complications were recorded (3 / 18, 16.7%), namely, temporary paresthesia, seroma and small imperfection of the scar. The satisfaction rate was approximately 90%, with the three most rewarding results for the patients being the ease of dressing (P = 0.01), decreased weight of the arm (P = 0.03) and absence of edema (P = 0.04). There was a negative correlation between severe weight loss and degree of satisfaction, however, no patients regretted the procedure.

CONCLUSION

the modified brachioplasty was successful in cases with severe brachial ptosis with possible extension to the chest. The study confirmed functional and aesthetic benefits, and thanks to the technique applied, most of the complications and disappointments could be avoided.

Estudo da correlação do IMC e comprimento do intestino delgado em pacientes obesos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

RACIONAL: Segundo a hipótese do intestino longo, o comprimento do intestino delgado estaria relacionado à obesidade. Existem dados evolutivos, anatômicos e neuroendócrinos em favor desta afirmação. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a medida do comprimento do intestino delgado em pacientes obesos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica e analisar a correlação entre o seu tamanho e o IMC. MÉTODO: A casuística foi composta de 30 pacientes do Serviço de Obesidade do Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba, submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica no período de março a junho de 2009, e previamente avaliados, verificando peso, altura e IMC. A técnica cirúrgica foi a de Fobi-Capella. A mensuração do intestino delgado foi realizada desde a flexura duodenojejunal à junção ileocecal, durante o trans-operatório, utilizando uma pinça de manipulação intestinal, a qual foi marcada com a medida de 10 cm. As alças intestinais foram medidas na margem anti-mesentérica, aplicando-se tensão mínima necessária para retificar as mesmas. Os dados foram correlacionados e tabulados estatisticamente, utilizando-se o método de correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: A média do comprimento intestinal para o sexo masculino foi de 582,5 cm e para o sexo feminino de 509,1. A partir do cálculo do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, confirmou-se a ausência de correlação entre IMC e comprimento do intestino delgado. CONCLUSÃO: Obteve-se uma média de tamanho intestinal de 528,7 cm para toda a amostra. O comprimento do intestino delgado não possuiu correspondência com o IMC, não sendo um fator de significância neste estudo.