One-Stage vs Two-Stage Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Obese Patients with Body Mass Index >55 Kg/m2; 5-YEAR FOLLOW UP

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Obesity Class V (BMI > 60 kg/m2): a Modified Delphi Study

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the preferred method to achieve significant weight loss in patients with Obesity Class V (BMI > 60 kg/m2). However, there is no consensus regarding the best procedure(s) for this population. Additionally, these patients will likely have a higher risk of complications and mortality. The aim of this study was to achieve a consensus among a global panel of expert bariatric surgeons using a modified Delphi methodology.

METHODS

A total of 36 recognized opinion-makers and highly experienced metabolic and bariatric surgeons participated in the present Delphi consensus. 81 statements on preoperative management, selection of the procedure, perioperative management, weight loss parameters, follow-up, and metabolic outcomes were voted on in two rounds. A consensus was considered reached when an agreement of ≥ 70% of experts' votes was achieved.

RESULTS

A total of 54 out of 81 statements reached consensus. Remarkably, more than 90% of the experts agreed that patients should be notified of the greater risk of complications, the possibility of modifications to the surgical procedure, and the early start of chemical thromboprophylaxis. Regarding the choice of the procedure, SADI-S, RYGB, and OAGB were the top 3 preferred operations. However, no consensus was reached on the limb length in these operations.

CONCLUSION

This study represents the first attempt to reach consensus on the choice of procedures as well as perioperative management in patients with obesity class V. Although overall consensus was reached in different areas, more research is needed to better serve this high-risk population.

Outcomes of totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2: can the robot level out "traditional" risk factors?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 kg/m2 is a challenging procedure and BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 has been identified as independent risk factor for postoperative complications and increased morbidity in previous studies. The objective of the present study was to assess whether a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 and various established risk factors maintain their significance in patients undergoing fully robotic RYGB (rRYGB). A single-center analysis of prospectively collected data of 113 consecutive patients undergoing standardized rRYGB with robotic stapling technique and hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy using the daVinci Xi system. Surgical outcomes were analyzed considering a number of individual perioperative risk factors including BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2. The mean BMI of the total cohort was 50.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and 63.7% of patients had a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2. There were no major surgical and perioperative complications in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 as well as in those with BMI < 50 kg/m2 after rRYGB. We identified female sex and surgeon experience but neither body weight, BMI, metabolic disorders, ASA nor EOSS scores as independent factors for shorter operation times (OT) in multivariate analyses. Complication rates and length of hospital stay (LOS) did not significantly differ between patients with potential risk factors and those without. rRYGB is a safe procedure in both, patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 and with BMI < 50 kg/m2. Higher body weight and BMI did affect neither OT nor LOS. A fully robotic approach for RYGB might help to overcome "traditional" risk factors identified in conventional laparoscopic bariatric surgery. However, larger and prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Conversion of Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass to Enhance Weight Loss: Single Enterprise Mid-Term Outcomes and Literature Review

Background

Suboptimal weight loss (SWL) occurs up to 30% after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (cRYGB) has shown heterogeneous results in terms of additional weight loss and resolution of weight-related comorbidities. We aim to evaluate mid-term outcomes of cRYGB specifically for SWL after SG.

Methods

All patients who underwent cRYGB for SWL from April 2010 to June 2019 from prospective registries at three affiliated tertiary care centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent revision or conversion for complications were excluded. Mixed-effects and polynomial regression models were used to evaluate weight loss results after conversion.

Results

Thirty-two patients underwent cRYGB from SG. About 68.7% were women with mean age of 46.6 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) before SG was 55.3 kg/m². Before conversion, mean BMI was 44.5 kg/m² with 17.3% total weight loss (TWL). All procedures were completed laparoscopically in a median surgical time of 183 min. Three major complications occurred (9.3%), one gastrojejunal (GJ) leak and two reoperations. Four cases (12.5%) of GJ stenosis were diagnosed. No mortality was registered. Mean follow-up time was 24 months and patients had 36 kg/m² mean BMI, 17.4% TWL, 27.2% had BMI >35 kg/m².

Conclusions

cRYGB after SG for SWL showed good mid-term results, better than those reported in literature.

One anastomosis gastric bypass as a one-stage bariatric surgical procedure in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2

In patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, it is difficult to select an appropriate procedure that can lead to optimum results. This study aims to evaluate mid-term weight loss outcomes in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 following one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) as a one-stage procedure. A prospective study was conducted on patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, aged 18 years and above who had undergone primary OAGB from January 2016 to February 2019 with at least two years follow-ups. A total of 197 patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 had underwent OAGB. The mean age was 38 years and the mean pre-operative BMI was 53.7 kg/m2. Mean EWL% were 63.7%, 67.8% and 66.2% at one, two and five years after OAGB respectively. The highest level of EWL% was 68.4%, which was achieved in the 18th month following OAGB. OAGB can be performed safely in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 as a one-stage procedure with acceptable weight loss outcomes and remission of obesity associated medical problems.

The first survey addressing patients with BMI over 50: a survey of 789 bariatric surgeons

Background

Bariatric surgery in patients with BMI over 50 kg/m² is a challenging task. The aim of this study was to address main issues regarding perioperative management of these patients by using a worldwide survey.

Methods

An online 48-item questionnaire-based survey on perioperative management of patients with a BMI superior to 50 kg/m² was ideated by 15 bariatric surgeons from 9 different countries. The questionnaire was emailed to all members of the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO). Responses were collected and analyzed by the authors.

Results

789 bariatric surgeons from 73 countries participated in the survey. Most surgeons (89.9%) believed that metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) on patients with BMI over 50 kg/m² should only be performed by expert bariatric surgeons. Half of the participants (55.3%) believed that weight loss must be encouraged before surgery and 42.6% of surgeons recommended an excess weight loss of at least 10%. However, only 3.6% of surgeons recommended the insertion of an Intragastric Balloon as bridge therapy before surgery. Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) was considered the best choice for patients younger than 18 or older than 65 years old. SG and One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass were the most common procedures for individuals between 18 and 65 years. Half of the surgeons believed that a 2-stage approach should be offered to patients with BMI > 50 kg/m², with SG being the first step. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis was recommended for 2 and 4 weeks by 37.8% and 37.7% of participants, respectively.

Conclusion

This survey demonstrated worldwide variations in bariatric surgery practice regarding patients with a BMI superior to 50 kg/m². Careful analysis of these results is useful for identifying several areas for future research and consensus building.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-021-08979-w.

Robotic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Single Surgeon's Experience with 527 Consecutive Patients

Background and Objectives

Robotic bariatric surgery is increasingly adopted by surgeons. We present the surgical results of 527 consecutive patients who underwent robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) using the standard technique.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed including 527 consecutive patients who underwent robotic RYGB between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 41 years, with a male/female sex distribution of 143/384 (27.1%/72.9%). Type 2 diabetes in the pre-operative period was diagnosed in 31% of patients. The median pre-operative body mass index (BMI) was 44.6 kg/m² (range, 35-64). The mean operation time was 134 min for robotic RYGB, including the docking process. Early (< 30 days) complications included ileus (0.2%), atelectasis (0.2%), thromboembolic (0.2%) events, and surgical-site infection (0.2%). No leakage or bleeding of the gastrojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses were recorded. Oral food intake was begun at 1.8 days on average. The average hospital stay was 2 days. Despite a range of BMI values, operation times and gastrojejunal anastomosis times did not show significant differences. There were no significant differences in mean operation time or mean gastrojejunal anastomosis time over the years.

Conclusions

The robotic approach is effective and safe for patients undergoing RYGB. This technique provides satisfactory results with short-term surgical outcomes. However, the real benefits of robotic RYGB should be further evaluated by well-conducted randomized trials. Even in difficult cases with higher BMI values, optimal operation times and similar operative efficiency can be obtained if a standard operation technique is applied.

Comparison of Liver Recovery After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y-Gastric Bypass

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition in patients with obesity. Bariatric surgery has often been proposed as a viable treatment option, but the ideal surgical procedure remains unclear. Inconsistently, reports on postoperative deterioration of liver function put further doubt on which technique to apply. Aim of this study was to assess the impact of Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on the postoperative recovery of liver function.

METHODS

A total of 175 patients with obesity that underwent bariatric surgery in our institution were included in this prospective cohort study. BMI, laboratory values, and liver function capacity (using LiMAx) were assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Generalized linear model (GLM) was performed to determine variables influencing liver function capacity after the operation.

RESULTS

Prior to operations, 64% of patients presented with a diminished liver function capacity, as measured by LiMAx test. Liver function capacity significantly recovered after 12 months in the SG group (300 μg/kg/h preop vs. 367 μg/kg/h postop) but not in the RYGB group (306 μg/kg/h preop vs. 349 μg/kg/h). Preoperative factors impeding liver function recovery included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), weight, male sex, AST/thrombocyte ratio (APRI), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT).

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery, especially sleeve gastrectomy, leads to an improvement of liver function. However, in some patients with T2DM, higher preoperative weight and male sex postoperative deterioration of liver function capacity may occur.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass as an Effective Bariatric Revisional Surgery after Restrictive Procedures

INTRODUCTION

Revisional surgery must be considered when insufficient weight loss is attained or weight is subsequently regained. This study aimed to investigate the value of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as a revisional procedure after restrictive surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An observational, retrospective study including patients initially operated on for morbid obesity with restrictive techniques (vertical-banded gastroplasty [VBG], adjustable gastric band [AGB], and sleeve gastrectomy) and reoperated with RYGB in our centre between December 1994 and January 2019. Demographic and anthropometric data, associated comorbidities (diabetes mellitus type II, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and surgery-related data (approach, complications, and hospital stay) were evaluated at 5 different time points: initial (prior to first intervention), after the first surgical intervention, before the second intervention (gastric bypass), after the gastric bypass, and at present.

RESULTS

A total of 63 patients were included. VBG was the most frequent initial procedure (n = 33). The mean age was 39 ± 9.52 years, and the average initial weight was 143.53 ± 28.6 kg. Weight loss was achieved in all groups, with a median excess weight loss of 58% after the first surgery and 40.3% after gastric bypass. In terms of weight loss, the best results after the second surgery were obtained when the first surgery was AGB, with statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

RYGB is effective as a conversion procedure after a previous restrictive surgery, obtaining a significant reduction in weight and BMI. It has an acceptable morbidity rate and is more effective after an AGB.

Surgery in Patients with Super Obesity: Medium-Term Follow-Up Outcomes at a High-Volume Center

OBJECTIVE

There is a need to determine which bariatric operations are the most effective for patients with super obesity and super-super obesity.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with super obesity and super-super obesity at Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics Surgery Center in Indore, India.

RESULTS

Five hundred fourteen patients with super obesity and super-super obesity had surgery at our center from January 2010 through December 2013. The baseline characteristics were different in different operations. The initial average age, weight, and BMI were 44.4 (SD 11.9) years, 145.4 (SD 24.2) kg, and 55.48 (SD 5.32) kg/m² , respectively. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (227 [44.2%]) was the most common procedure, followed by one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (124 [24.1%]), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (102 [19.8%]), banded sleeve gastrectomy (BSG) (33 [6.4%]), and banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (BRYGB) (28 [5.4%]). After 3 years, the percentages of excess body weight loss (%EBWL) for SG, OAGB, RYGB, BSG, and BRYGB were 62.38%, 78.59%, 69.55%, 85.11%, and 75.77% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Failure to achieve BMI < 35 kg/m² was more frequent in the group who underwent SG (67.9%), followed by RYGB (29.16%), BRYGB (22.2%), OAGB (9.87%), and none in the BSG group.

CONCLUSIONS

BSG, OAGB, and BRYGB have very good to excellent midterm outcomes for patients with super obesity and super-super obesity, whereas RYGB and SG have average outcomes at 3 years. There is a need for multicenter, long-term, and prospective studies to be performed to confirm these findings.

Outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy in super-super-obese patients (BMI ≥60 kg/m2): 6-year follow-up at a single university

BACKGROUND

Among the population of morbidly obese people, super-super-obese (SSO) individuals (body mass index >60 kg/m²) present a treatment challenge for bariatric surgeons.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the long-term outcomes between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and to evaluate the efficacy of SG as a stand-alone bariatric procedure for SSO patients.

SETTING

University hospital, Paris, France.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data outcomes of 210 SSO patients who underwent SG or RYGB between January 2000 and December 2011. The 6-year follow-up data were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Follow-up data at 6 years were collected for 57.1% and 52.1% of patients in the SG group and RYGB groups, respectively. Both procedures were effective at promoting weight loss. Most weight loss was achieved at 24 months with both procedures. The average percent excess weight loss and change in body mass index of SG versus RYGB showed no significant differences at the 4-year follow-up. Except for sleep apnea, RYGB showed slightly better resolution of the evaluated co-morbidities. The composite endpoint of major short-term adverse events (<30 d) occurred in 11.7% of patients with RYGB and 6.4% of those with SG (P = .02). Postoperative complications were seen in 26% of RYGB patients and 16.1% of SG patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SG as a primary procedure for SSO patients remains effective even though RYGB achieves better midterm outcomes. SG can be proposed as the primary-option p+rocedure. Further investigations are needed to identify the ideal procedure for patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.