Are there gender-specific aspects of sleeve gastrectomy-data analysis from the quality assurance study of surgical treatment of obesity in Germany

Endoscopic vacuum therapy in salvage and standalone treatment of gastric leaks after bariatric surgery

Introduction

Gastric leaks constitute some of the most severe complications after obesity surgery. Resulting peritonitis can lead to inflammatory changes of the stomach wall and might necessitate drainage. The inflammatory changes make gastric leak treatment difficult. A common endoscopic approach of using stents causes the problem of inadequate leak sealing and the need for an external drainage. Based on promising results using endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) for esophageal leaks, we implemented this concept for gastric leak treatment after bariatric surgery (Ahrens et al., Endoscopy 42(9):693–698, 2010; Schniewind et al., Surg Endosc 27(10):3883–3890, 2013).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of 31 gastric leaks after bariatric surgery. For leak therapy management, we used revisional laparoscopy with suturing and drainage. EVT was added for persistent leaks in sixteen cases and was used in four cases as standalone therapy.

Results

Twenty-one gastric leaks occurred in 521 sleeve gastrectomies (leakage rate 4.0%), 9 in 441 Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses (leakage rate 2.3%), and 1 in 12 mini-bypasses. Eleven of these gastric leaks were detected within 2 days after bariatric surgery and successfully treated by revision surgery. Sixteen gastric leaks, re-operated later than 2 days, remained after revision surgery, and EVT was added. Without revision surgery, we performed EVT as standalone therapy in 4 patients with late gastric leaks. The EVT healing rate was 90% (18 of 20). In 2 patients with a late gastric leak in sleeve gastrectomy, neither revisional surgery, EVT, nor stent therapy was successful. EVT patients showed no complications related to EVT during follow-up.

Conclusion

EVT is highly beneficial in cases of gastric leaks in obesity surgery where local peritonitis is present. Revisional surgery was unsuccessful later than 2 days after primary surgery (16 of 16 cases). EVT shows a similar healing rate to stent therapy (80–100%) but a shorter duration of treatment. The advantages of EVT are endoscopic access, internal drainage, rapid granulation, and direct therapy control. In compartmentalized gastric leaks, EVT was successful as a standalone therapy without external drainage.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00423-021-02365-9.

INSIG2 rs7566605 single nucleotide variant and global DNA methylation index levels are associated with weight loss in a personalized weight reduction program

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with lipid metabolism and energy balance are implicated in the weight loss response caused by nutritional interventions. Diet-induced weight loss is also associated with differential global DNA methylation. DNA methylation has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for weight loss response. Personalized biomarkers for successful weight loss may inform clinical decisions when deciding between behavioral and surgical weight loss interventions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between global DNA methylation, genetic variants associated with energy balance and lipid metabolism, and weight loss following a non-surgical weight loss regimen. The present study included 105 obese participants that were enrolled in a personalized weight loss program based on their allelic composition of the following five energy balance and lipid metabolism-associated loci: Near insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2); melanocortin 4 receptor; adrenoceptor β2; apolipoprotein A5; and G-protein subunit β3. The present study investigated the association between a global DNA methylation index (GDMI), the allelic composition of the five energy balance and lipid metabolism-associated loci, and weight loss during a 12 month program, after controlling for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). The results demonstrated a significant association between the GDMI and near INSIG2 locus, after adjusting for BMI and weight loss, and significant trends were observed when stratifying by gender. In conclusion, a combination of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers may be used to design personalized weight loss interventions, enabling adherence and ensuring improved outcomes for obesity treatment programs. Precision weight loss programs designed based on molecular information may enable the creation of personalized interventions for patients, that use genomic biomarkers for treatment design and for treatment adherence monitoring, thus improving response to treatment.

Do Male Patients Benefit from Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding More than Female Patients? A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials in the field of bariatrics, and specifically laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), have frequently been gender imbalanced, with males representing only 20% of examinees. Long-term gender-oriented results, and specifically quality of life (QOL) parameters, have not been addressed sufficiently. The aim of our study was to examine the long-term gender association with outcome of LAGB including the impact on QOL.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LAGB between 2006 and 2014 by a single surgeon was conducted. Data were collected from the hospital registry and a telephone interview that included a standardized questionnaire. Outcomes including BMI reduction, evolution of comorbidities, complications, reoperations, and QOL were compared according to the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS).

RESULTS

Included were 114 males and 127 females, with a mean age of 38.2 years at surgery, and an average post-surgery follow-up of 6.5 years. Similar BMI reduction (p = 0.68) and perioperative complication rates (p = 0.99) were observed. Males had a greater improvement in comorbidities (p < 0.001), less band slippage (p = 0.006), underwent fewer reoperations (p = 0.02), and reported higher QOL scores (p = 0.02) than females. The total BAROS score was significantly higher for males than females (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

LAGB surgery results in better outcomes for male than female patients as measured by the BAROS, despite a similar BMI reduction. Gender-specific outcomes should be taken into consideration in optimizing patient selection and preoperative patient counseling.

Prognostic factors of weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy: Multi centre study in Spain and Portugal

INTRODUCTION

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become a technique in its own right although a selective or global indication remains controversial. The weight loss data at 5 years are heterogeneous. The aim of the study is to identify possible prognostic factors of insufficient weight loss after SG.

METHODS

A SG retrospective multicenter study of more than one year follow-up was performed. Failure is considered if EWL>50%. Univariate and multivariate study of Cox regression were performed to identify prognostic factors of failure of weight loss at 1, 2 and 3 years of follow up.

RESULTS

A total of 1,565 patients treated in 29 hospitals are included. PSP per year: 70.58±24.7; 3 years 69.39±29.2; 5 years 68.46±23.1. Patients with EWL<50 (considered failure): 17.1% in the first year, 20.1% at 3 years, 20.8% at 5 years. Variables with influence on the weight loss failure in univariate analysis were: BMI>50kg/m², age>50years, DM2, hypertension, OSA, heart disease, multiple comorbidities, distance to pylorus> 4cm, bougie>40F, treatment with antiplatelet agents. The reinforcement of the suture improved results. In multivariate study DM2 and BMI are independent factors of failure.

CONCLUSION

The SG associates a satisfactory weight loss in 79% of patients in the first 5 years; however, some variables such as BMI>50, age>50, the presence of several comorbidities, more than 5cm section of the pylorus or bougie>40F can increase the risk of weight loss failure.

The effects of weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy on left ventricular systolic function in men versus women

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the effects of weight lost after sleeve gastrectomy on left ventricular (LV) systolic function using both two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in men versus women.

METHODS

In 53 obese patients referred for sleeve gastrectomy, 2D-STE and 3DE were performed prior to and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The study included 53 obese patients (62.3% female; mean age 36.8 ± 10.7 years). Six months after surgery, all patients demonstrated a significant decrease in body mass index, body weight, blood pressure, heart rate, LV end-diastolic dimension, myocardial wall thickness, LV mass, LV mass index, LV mass/height(2.7) , LV end-diastolic volume, LV end-systolic volume, and stroke volume as well as an increase in SV index and ejection fraction. There was no significant difference in measured variables between men and women at baseline or postsurgery, except for baseline LV end-diastolic dimension, and baseline and after surgery LV mass, LV mass index, and LV mass/height(2.7) , which were all significantly higher in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleeve gastrectomy improves LV systolic function and contributes to reverse LV remodeling in both genders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:492-499, 2016.

Results of More Than 11,800 Sleeve Gastrectomies: Data Analysis of the German Bariatric Surgery Registry

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an upcoming procedure in bariatric surgery and is currently performed worldwide. Staple line leakage, as the most frequent and most feared complication, is still a major concern.

METHODS

Since 2005 data from patients undergoing bariatric procedures in Germany have been prospectively registered in an online database and analyzed. All patients who had undergone primary SG within a 7-year period were considered for analysis.

RESULTS

Using the German Bariatric Surgery Registry, data from more than 11,800 SGs were collected between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2013. Staple line leak rate decreased from 6.5% to 1.4%. Male sex, higher body mass index, concomitant sleep apnea, conversion to laparotomy, longer operation time, a combination of buttresses and oversewing, and the occurrence of intraoperative complications were associated with a significantly higher leakage rate compared with when using either buttresses or oversewing alone. On multivariable analysis, operation time and year of procedure only had a significant impact on staple line leakage rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to the growing experience a constant decrease in the leakage rate after SG has been observed. Staple line disruption may still lead to sepsis, multiorgan dysfunction, and increased mortality. The results of the current study demonstrated that there are factors that increase the risk of leakage and which would enable surgeons to define risk groups, select patients more carefully, and offer closer follow-up during the postoperative course with early recognition and adequate treatment.

Is sleeve gastrectomy a therapeutic procedure for all obese patients?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a worldwide surgical procedure for morbid obesity. However patients selection is still anecdotal. The aim of this study is to analyse clinical and anthropometric parameters correlated with LSG and to check the validity of this procedure for different categories of obese patients.

METHODS

Two-hundred one consecutive patients were submitted to LSG as a primary bariatric procedure between 2008 and 2014. One year follow-up was completed in 159 patients. Smaller groups of patients completed 2 and 3 years follow-up (78, 46 patients respectively). Median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 45.4 kg/m2 (range: 34.8-73.8); 135 patients (80%) had one or more comorbidities. Potential correlations between age, gender, preoperative BMI, preoperative excess weight, early excess weight loss (EWL) and 1 and 3 year-EWL were investigated.

RESULTS

All procedures were regularly completed with laparoscopic approach without conversion to laparotomy. Postoperative complications occurred in six patients (3.7%); no postoperative mortality was observed. Median one-year BMI and EWL were 32.8 kg/m2 and 55.34%, respectively. Three year-EWL was significantly influenced by age, and early EWL. A complete normalization of glycemic levels after the three-year follow-up was also observed in high percentage of diabetic patients. In patients with preoperative BMI>50 kg/m2 we observed most failure cases in terms of EWL and the worst metabolic results.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience indicates that LSG is a safe procedure with satisfactory three-year late weight loss in patients with preoperative BMI <50 kg/m2. Promising results, in terms of improvements of comorbidities, were also observed. These results make LSG one of the most attractive first stage surgical procedure for morbid obesity.

Are There Gender-Specific Aspects in Obesity and Metabolic Surgery? Data Analysis from the German Bariatric Surgery Registry

Background

Since January 2005, the status of bariatric surgery in Germany has been examined in conjunction with a quality assurance study of the German Bariatric Surgery Registry (GBSR). All data are registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute for Quality Assurance in Surgical Medicine at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.

Methods

Data are registered in an online database. Data collection on obesity and metabolic surgery is voluntary, and was started in 2005. In addition, follow-up data are collected once a year.

Results

Since 2005, 8,293 sleeve gastrectomies, 10,330 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures, and 3,741 gastric banding procedures have been performed in Germany, according to the data of the GBSR. Mean age and mean body mass index of female patients with gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were significantly lower than those of male patients. The incidence of relevant comorbidities was significantly higher in male than in female patients.

Conclusion

Metabolic and obesity surgery is becoming more and more popular in Germany. Data from the GBSR study show significant differences in preoperative comorbidities and postoperative complication and mortality rates between male and female patients. There is a need for further evaluation of gender-specific aspects to optimize patient selection and reduce specific postoperative complications.

Early post-operative complications: incidence, management, and impact on length of hospital stay. A retrospective comparison between laparoscopic gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are the most common obesity surgeries. Their early complications may prolong hospital stay (HS).

METHODS

Data for patients who underwent LRYGB and LSG in our clinic from 2009 through August 2012 were collected. Early post-operative complications prolonging HS (>5 days) were retrospectively analyzed, highlighting their relative incidence, management, and impact on length of HS.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients (4.9 %) after 1,345 LRYGB operations vs. 49 patients (7.14 %) after 686 LSG operations developed early complications. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.039). Male gender percentage was significantly higher in complicated LSG group vs. complicated LRYGB group [23 patients (46.9 %) vs. 16 patients (24.2 %)] (p = 0.042). Mean BMI was significantly higher in the complicated LSG group (54.2 ± 8.3) vs. complicated LRYGB group (46.8 ± 5.7; p = 0.004). Median length of HS was not longer after complicated LSG compared with complicated LRYGB (11 vs. 10 days; p = 0.287). Leakage and bleeding were the most common complications after either procedure. Leakage rate was not higher after LSG (12 patients, 1.7 %) compared with LRYGB (22 patients, 1.6 %; p = 0.304). Bleeding rate was significantly higher after LSG (19 patients, 2.7 %) than after LRYGB (10 patients, 0.7 %; p = 0.004). Prolonged elevation of inflammatory markers was the most common presentation for complications after LSG (18 patients, 36.7 %) and LRYGB (31 patients, 46.9 %).

CONCLUSIONS

LSG was associated with more early complications. This may be attributed to higher BMI and predominance of males in LSG group.

Is a one-step sleeve gastrectomy indicated as a revision procedure after gastric banding? Data analysis from a quality assurance study of the surgical treatment of obesity in Germany

BACKGROUND

Since 1 January 2005, the outcomes of bariatric surgeries have been examined in Germany. All data are registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgery at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.

METHODS

Data are collected in an online data bank. Data collection began in 2005 for the results of gastric banding (GB) and in 2006 for sleeve gastrectomies (SGs). In addition to primary bariatric operations, data regarding the complications of revision procedures and redo operations have been analyzed. Participation in the quality assurance study is required for all certified centers in Germany.

RESULTS

SGs are a popular redo operation after failed gastric banding. Using the German Bariatric Surgery Registry, we analyzed data from 137 SGs that were used in a one-step approach after GB and 37 SGs that were used in a two-step approach. Leakage rates for primary SGs dropped to 1.9 %. The incidence of leakage after a one-step SG after GB is significantly higher (4.4 %) than for a two-step approach (0 %).

CONCLUSION

SGs are popular procedures after failed GB in Germany, but the complication rates for one-step band removal are higher than for a two-step approach. After examining the data, we suggest performing band removal and SG as a two-step procedure. Further analysis is necessary to evaluate the optimal time period between band removal and SG. Follow-up investigations must be performed to determine if SG is an effective and safe option after GB.

Are there gender-specific aspects of gastric banding? Data analysis from the quality assurance study of the surgical treatment of obesity in Germany

BACKGROUND

Since 1 January 2005, the situation of bariatric surgery has been examined in Germany. All data are registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgery at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.

METHODS

Data collection on the results of gastric banding procedures was started in 2005, and the data are registered in an online database. Follow-up data were collected once a year. Participation in the quality assurance study is voluntary.

RESULTS

Since 2005, 3,453 gastric banding procedures have been performed at 88 hospitals. The mean age of patients was 40.7 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 45.2 kg/m2. BMI and comorbidities are significantly higher in male patients. Regarding gender-specific aspects, there are no significant differences in the perioperative complication rates. The amelioration rate of comorbidities in male patients is lower than in female patients.

CONCLUSION

Gastric banding in Germany is generally performed in patients with a BMI below 45 kg/m2. The perioperative complication rate is low. Data from the nationwide survey of the German Bariatric Surgery Registry show significant differences in preoperative comorbidities and their amelioration between male and female patients. There is a need for further evaluation of gender-specific aspects of gastric banding procedures to optimize patient selection, reduce specific postoperative complications, and achieve long-term effects on weight loss and remission of comorbidities.