Biliopancreatic diversion-duodenal switch: independent contributions of sleeve resection and duodenal exclusion

Cardioprotective benefits of metabolic surgery and GLP-1 receptor agonist-based therapies

Individuals with excessive adipose tissue and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) face a heightened risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Metabolic surgery is an effective therapy for people with severe obesity to achieve significant weight loss. Additionally, metabolic surgery improves blood glucose levels and can lead to T2DM remission, reducing major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a class of medication that effectively reduce body weight and MACE in patients with T2DM. This review explores the potential mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective benefits of metabolic surgery and GLP-1RA-based therapies and discusses recent evidence and emerging therapies in this dynamic area of research.

Obesity management for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: emerging evidence and therapeutic approaches

Excess adiposity can contribute to metabolic complications, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which poses a significant global health burden. Traditionally viewed as a chronic and irreversible condition, T2DM management has evolved and new approaches emphasizing reversal and remission are emerging. Bariatric surgery demonstrates significant improvements in body weight and glucose homeostasis. However, its complexity limits widespread implementation as a population-wide intervention. The identification of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and the development of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have improved T2DM management and offer promising outcomes in terms of weight loss. Innovative treatment approaches combining GLP-1RA with other gut and pancreatic-derived hormone receptor agonists, such as glucose-dependant insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon (GCG) receptor agonists, or coadministered with amylin analogues, are demonstrating enhanced efficacy in both weight loss and glycemic control. This review aims to explore the benefits of bariatric surgery and emerging pharmacological therapies such as GLP-1RAs, and dual and triple agonists in managing obesity and T2DM while highlighting the caveats and evolving landscape of treatment options.

Bariatric Surgery and Osteoporosis

It has been increasingly acknowledged that bariatric surgery adversely affects skeletal health. After bariatric surgery, the extent of high-turnover bone loss is much greater than what would be expected in the absence of a severe skeletal insult. Patients also experience a significant deterioration in bone microarchitecture and strength. There is now a growing body of evidence that suggests an association between bariatric surgery and higher fracture risk. Although the mechanisms underlying the high-turnover bone loss and increase in fracture risk after bariatric surgery are not fully understood, many factors seem to be involved. The usual suspects are nutritional factors and mechanical unloading, and the roles of gut hormones, adipokines, and bone marrow adiposity should be investigated further. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was once the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide, but sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has now become the predominant bariatric procedure. Accumulating evidence suggests that RYGB is associated with a greater reduction in BMD, a greater increase in markers of bone turnover, and a higher risk of fracture than SG. These findings should be taken into consideration in determining the most appropriate bariatric procedure for patients, especially those at higher fracture risk. Before and after all bariatric procedures, sufficient calcium, vitamin D and protein intake, and adequate physical activity, are needed to counteract negative impacts on bone. There are no studies to date that have evaluated the effect of osteoporosis treatment on high-turnover bone loss after bariatric surgery. However, in patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, anti-resorptive agents may be considered.

Consistent gut bacterial and short-chain fatty acid signatures in hypoabsorptive bariatric surgeries correlate with metabolic benefits in rats

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed at comparing how changes in the gut microbiota are associated to the beneficial effects of the most clinically efficient hypoabsorptive bariatric procedures, namely Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S).

METHODS

Diet-induced obese (DIO) male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. In addition to the groups subjected to RYGB, BPD-DS and SADI-S, the following four control groups were included: SHAM-operated rats fed a high-fat diet (SHAM HF), SHAM fed a low-fat diet (SHAM LF), SHAM HF-pair-weighed to BPD-DS (SHAM HF-PW) and sleeve-gastrectomy (SG) rats. Body weight, food intake, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity/resistance, and L-cell secretion were assessed. The gut microbiota (16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing) as well as the fecal and cæcal contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were also analyzed prior to, and after the surgeries.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrates the beneficial effect of RYGB, BPD-DS and SADI-S on fat mass gain and glucose metabolism in DIO rats. These benefits were proportional to the effect of the surgeries on food digestibility (BPD-DS > SADI-S > RYGB). Notably, hypoabsorptive surgeries led to consonant microbial signatures characterized by decreased abundance of the Ruminococcaceae (Oscillospira and Ruminococcus), Oscillospiraceae (Oscillibacter) and Christensenellaceae, and increased abundance of the Clostridiaceae (Clostridium), Sutterellaceae (Sutterella) and Enterobacteriaceae. The gut bacteria following hypoabsorptive surgeries were associated with higher fecal levels of propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate and isovalerate. Increases in the fecal SCFAs were in turn positively and strongly correlated with the levels of peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) and with the beneficial effects of the surgery.

CONCLUSION

The present study emphasizes the consistency with which the three major hypoabsorptive bariatric procedures RYGB, BPD-DS and SADI-S create a gut microbial environment capable of producing a SCFA profile favorable to the secretion of PYY and to beneficial metabolic effects.

IGFBP-2 partly mediates the early metabolic improvements caused by bariatric surgery

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is a circulating biomarker of cardiometabolic health. Here, we report that circulating IGFBP-2 concentrations robustly increase after different bariatric procedures in humans, reaching higher levels after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) than after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This increase is closely associated with insulin sensitization. In mice and rats, BPD-DS and RYGB operations also increase circulating IGFBP-2 levels, which are not affected by SG or caloric restriction. In mice, Igfbp2 deficiency significantly impairs surgery-induced loss in adiposity and early improvement in insulin sensitivity but does not affect long-term enhancement in glucose homeostasis. This study demonstrates that the modulation of circulating IGFBP-2 may play a role in the early improvement of insulin sensitivity and loss of adiposity brought about by bariatric surgery.

Mid-term 4-Year Outcomes with Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery at a Single US Center

BACKGROUND

Single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a modification of Roux-en-Y duodenal switch (RYDS). Long-term data on this operation is lacking in the literature. We reviewed our mid-term data of this RYDS modification.

PURPOSE

To analyze the outcomes with SADI-S at 4 years.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent a primary SADI-S procedure performed by three surgeons at a single institution from June 2013 through February 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All revision bariatric surgeries were excluded. Regression analyses were performed for all follow-up weight loss data.

RESULTS

There were 437 patients in our database. The pre-operative mean body mass index (BMI) was 49.8 ± 8.8 kg/m². The 30-day complication rate was 7.7%. The 30-day readmission, reoperation, and mortality rates were 1.8, 1.3, and 0.2%, respectively. The long-term complication rate was 10.9%. Seventy-nine patients were 4 years post SADI-S surgery and follow-up was possible for 44 patients (55.7%). At 4 years, patients had an average change in BMI of 18.1 ± 6 units with an excess weight loss (EWL) of 85.7 ± 27.3%. At 4 years, 97.6% patients were able to maintain HbA1c < 6% with or without the use of diabetic medication. There was a statistically significant difference between most of the pre-operative and post-operative nutritional data.

CONCLUSIONS

SADI-S is a safe and effective procedure in both short- and mid-term data points. Diabetes resolution and weight loss appear similar to traditional RYDS and better than RYGB.

Complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: can we approach a 0% rate using the largest staple height with reinforcement all along the staple line? Short-term results and technical considerations

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is gaining acceptance among bariatric surgeons as a viable option for treating morbidly obese patients. We describe the results of a single center's experience with SG, revealing a low complication rate.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to analyze the short-term results of laparoscopic SG using exclusively black staples with staple-line reinforcement.

SETTINGS

University hospital, tertiary referral center for bariatric surgery.

METHODS

SG was performed in 434 consecutive patients from December 2014 to March 2017. A technique is described where all operations were performed with attention to avoiding strictures at the incisura angularis and not stapling near the esophagus at the angle of His. All the interventions were performed using black cartridges and staple-line reinforcement using bioabsorbable Seamguard. A prospective chart review was conducted to determine the occurrence of early complications.

RESULTS

Follow-up data were collected for all patients at 90 days postoperatively. A total complication rate of 4.4% was observed. No leaks occurred in any of the patients. One case of bleeding occurred that necessitated a surgical exploration, which found the origin of the bleeding to be a diaphragmatic vessel. The 90-day mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSION

SG can be performed with a low complication rate. Selection of the appropriate staple height and reinforcement of the staple line could play a major role in optimizing the results of SG.

A Matched Cohort Analysis of Sleeve Gastrectomy With and Without 300 cm Loop Duodenal Switch With 18-Month Follow-Up

BACKGROUND

In bariatric surgery, a significant question remains unanswered-What proportion of weight loss comes from each component and does this differ with time? Single anastomosis duodenal switch (LDS) combines a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) with a loop attachment of the duodenal stump. There are two major variables the sleeve, and the intestine that processes ingested food. A comparison of patients that had a VSG with those that have had a LDS approximates the contribution of each component.

METHODS

A retrospective matched cohort analysis of VSG and LDS patients was obtained by matching every LDS patient to a VSG patient of the same sex and BMI. Excess weight lost percentage (%EWL) and the total weight loss percentage (%TWL) was analyzed. The data was compared through descriptive statistics and non-linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Over 18 months, patients who received the LDS lost more %TWL and %EWL and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, with time, the difference became more profound. Weight loss stabilized at approximately 9-12 months and 15 to 18 for VSG and LDS patients', respectively. At 6 months post op, there was approximately 13 % difference in weight loss. This increased to 29 % difference at 18 months.

CONCLUSION

LDS patients lose more weight than VSG. Preserving 3 m of intestinal length adds 30 % greater weight loss at 18 months. Early weight loss is similar between the two operations, while the intestinal component becomes more important with weight loss differentials increasing as time since surgery lengthens.

How to Choose the Best Metabolic Procedure?

Bariatric/metabolic surgery has proven to be effective in inducing and maintaining diabetes remission-although with a percentage of patients undergoing hyperglycemia relapse-weight loss, and improvement of the cardiovascular risk. It is, however, associated with mortality, although low, and early and late complications. In particular, metabolic complications are related to vitamin deficiency due to the erratic absorption of the supplemented vitamins and to the unpredictable compliance of patients to vitamin and trace element supplementation. In addition, often, the general practitioners and even the specialists are unaware of the clinical effects of metabolic dysfunction following malabsorptive surgery. The choice of the surgical procedure should be the balance between benefits and risks. Our review addresses this important question trying to give some suggestions.

Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies: Surgical Analogues and Mechanisms of Action

Obesity is a worsening pandemic with numerous related comorbid illnesses. Conservative management including lifestyle modification and medications have limited efficacy. In contradistinction, bariatric surgery is effective, however, with substantial cost and non-negligible morbidity and mortality. As such, a small percentage of eligible patients undergo surgery. Over the past decade, endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies have been introduced as a less invasive option for the treatment of obesity and its related comorbid illnesses. This article reviews major endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies, their surgical analogues, and proposed mechanisms of action. Clinical trial data for each device also are discussed.

Bariatric Surgery: Overview of Procedures and Outcomes

Bariatric surgery is the most efficient and long-lasting weight loss therapy available. Its safety has improved over tenfold over the last decade. With the advent of laparoscopy, mortality rates of are now under 1 per 1400 cases in accredited centers. Gastric bypass reduces diabetes-related mortality by 92% over 7 years and long lasting remission has been demonstrated in observational studies covering >10,000 patients and multiple randomized control trials. The benefit of bariatric surgery on diabetes is so substantial that these procedures should be considered in all type 2 diabetic patients with a BMI > 35 kg/m(2).

Recent advances in metabolic and bariatric surgery

Obesity and its associated medical conditions continue to increase and add significant burden to patients, as well as health-care systems, worldwide. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity and its comorbidities, and resolution of diabetes is weight loss-independent in the case of some operations. Although these weight-independent effects are frequently described clinically, the mechanisms behind them are not well understood and remain an intense area of focus in the growing field of metabolic and bariatric surgery. Perceptions of the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial metabolic effects of metabolic/bariatric operations have shifted from being mostly restrictive and malabsorption over the last 10 to 15 years to being more neuro-hormonal in origin. In this review, we describe recent basic and clinical findings of the major clinical procedures (adjustable gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and biliopancreatic diversion) as well as other experimental procedures (ileal interposition and bile diversion) that recapitulate many of the metabolic effects of these complex operations in a simpler fashion. As the role of bile acids and the gut microbiome on metabolism is becoming increasingly well described, their potential roles in these improvements following metabolic surgery are becoming better appreciated. Bile acid and gut microbiome changes, in light of recent developments, are discussed in the context of these surgical procedures, as well as their implications for future study.

Laparoscopic conversion of sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: indications and preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained popularity as a standalone procedure. However, long-term complications are reported, mainly weight loss failure and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, demand for revisional surgery is rising.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report preliminary results within the 2 main indications for laparoscopic conversion of SG to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

SETTING

University Hospital, France.

METHODS

Data from all patients who underwent laparoscopic conversion from SG to RYGB were retrospectively analyzed as to indications for revisional surgery, weight loss, and complications.

RESULTS

Forty patients underwent conversion, 29 cases (72.5%) for weight loss failure and 11 cases for refractory GERD (27.5%). The mean interval from SG to RYGB was 32.6 months (range 8-113). Revisional surgery was attempted by laparoscopy in all cases, and conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 3 patients (7.5%). Mean length of follow-up was 18.6 months (range 9-60) after conversion. Follow-up rate was 100%. Mean percent total weight loss and percent excess weight loss were 34.7% and 64%, respectively, when calculated from weight before SG. Remission rate for GERD was 100%. Improvement was observed for all co-morbidities after conversion. There was no immediate postoperative mortality. The postoperative complication rate was 16.7%. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, there were 5 grade II and 2 grade IIIa complications.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic conversion of SG to RYGB is safe and feasible. In the short term, it appears to be effective in treating GERD and inducing significant additional weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities.

Long-term outcomes after biliopancreatic diversion with and without duodenal switch: 2-, 5-, and 10-year data

BACKGROUND

There are minimal long-term data on biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (BPD/DS).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the long-term weight loss, co-morbidity remission, complications, and quality of life after BPD and BPD/DS.

SETTING

An academic, university hospital in the United States.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent BPD or BPD/DS between 1999 and 2011. Outcomes included weight loss measures at 2, 5, and 10-15 years postoperatively; co-morbidity remission; long-term complications; nutritional deficiencies; and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

One hundred patients underwent BPD (34%) or BPD/DS (64%). Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 50.2 kg/m². Mean follow up was 8.2 years (range: 1-15 yr) with 72% of eligible patients in active follow up at 10-15 years postoperatively. Excess weight loss (EWL) was 65.1% at 2 years, 63.8% at 5 years, and 67.9% at 10-15 years. Approximately 10% higher %EWL was achieved for those with preoperative BMI<50 kg/m² versus≥50 kg/m² and patients who underwent BPD/DS versus BPD. Although co-morbidities improved, 37% of patients developed long-term complications requiring surgery. There were no 30-day mortalities; however, there was one mortality from severe malnutrition. Nutritional deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins, anemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism were common. Overall, 94% of patients reported satisfaction with their choice of surgery.

CONCLUSION

This clinical experience supports the long-term positive safety profile and efficacy of BPD and BPD/DS at a single U.S. center. Higher levels of excess weight loss are achieved by patients with a lower preoperative BMI and BPD/DS. Although nutritional deficiencies and postoperative complications are common, patient satisfaction remains high.

Metabolic changes induced by the biliopancreatic diversion in diet-induced obesity in male rats: the contributions of sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch

The mechanisms underlying the body weight and fat loss after the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) remain to be fully delineated. The aim of this study was to examine the contributions of the two main components of BPD/DS, namely sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and duodenal switch (DS), on energy balance changes in rats rendered obese with a high-fat (HF) diet. Three different bariatric procedures (BPD/DS, SG, and DS) and three sham surgeries were performed in male Wistar rats. Sham-operated animals fed HF were either fed ad libitum (Sham HF) or pair weighed (Sham HF PW) by food restriction to the BPD/DS rats. A group of sham-operated rats was kept on standard chow and served as normal diet control (Sham Chow). All three bariatric surgeries resulted in a transient reduction in food intake. SG per se induced a delay in body weight gain. BPD/DS and DS led to a noticeable gut malabsorption and a reduction in body weight and fat gains along with significant elevations in plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36) and peptide YY. BPD/DS and DS elevated energy expenditure above that of Sham HF PW during the dark phase. However, they reduced the volume, oxidative metabolism, and expression of thermogenic genes in interscapular brown adipose tissue. Altogether the results of this study suggest that the DS component of the BPD/DS, which led to a reduction in digestible energy intake while sustaining energy expenditure, plays a key role in the improvement in the metabolic profile led by BPD/DS in rats fed a HF diet.

How to choose and use bariatric surgery in 2015

Severe obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and represents a major health care problem with increasing incidence worldwide. Bariatric surgery, through its efficacy and improved safety, is emerging as an important available treatment for patients with severe obesity. Classically, bariatric surgery has been described as either a restrictive or a hybrid surgery, which is a combination of restriction and malabsorption. For most severely obese patients, bariatric surgery results in the remission of major obesity-related comorbidities including type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Thus, bariatric surgery reduces cardiovascular risk burden, and overall mortality risk. Early complications (< 30 days) after bariatric surgery were reported to be < 10% and tend to be lower in restrictive surgeries compared with hybrid surgeries. Most common early complications reported are gastric and anastomosis leak (1.6%-5.1%), bleeding (0.5%-3.5%), and pulmonary embolism (0.2%-1%). Long-term complications (> 30 days) might differ depending on the type of bariatric surgery. According to the type of surgery and the type of study, the 30-day operative mortality rates differ from 0.1% to 1.2%. Studies on postoperative outcomes, investigations on weight loss physiology, and mechanism of action after bariatric surgery provide a better understanding of the bariatric surgery metabolic benefits. In this article, we present an overview of bariatric procedures with their effects, including risks and benefits, on the severely obese patients' health. It provides evidence to support surgical treatment of severe obesity to achieve cardiovascular disease risk reduction in severely obese patients.