Biliopancreatic Diversion in the Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity: Long-Term Results and Metabolic Consequences

Microbiota dynamics preceding bariatric surgery as obesity treatment: a comprehensive review

The review present data on the intricate relationship between bariatric surgery, gut microbiota, and metabolic health in obesity treatment. Bariatric surgery, is recognized as an effective intervention for managing morbid obesity, including various techniques with distinct mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles including Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), and Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD). RYGB and SG are the most prevalent procedures globally, inducing gut microbiota changes that influence microbial diversity and abundance. Post-surgery, alterations in bacterial communities occur, such as the increased of Escherichia coli inversely correlated with fat mass and leptin levels. During digestion, microbiota produce physiologically active compounds like bile acids (Bas) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs, derived by microbial fermentation, influence appetite, energy metabolism, and obesity-related pathways. Bas, altered by surgery, modulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, SG and RYGB enhance incretin secretion, particularly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Therefore, understanding microbiota changes after bariatric surgery could be crucial for predicting metabolic outcomes and developing targeted interventions for obesity management.

Remission with an Intervention: Is Metabolic Surgery the Ultimate Solution?

Long-term remission of type 2 diabetes following lifestyle intervention or pharmacotherapy, even in patients with mild disease, is rare. Long-term remission following metabolic surgery however, is common and occurs in 23% to 98% depending on disease severity and type of surgery. Remission after surgery is associated with excellent glycemic control without reliance on pharmacotherapy, improvements in quality of life, and major reductions in microvascular and macrovascular complications. For patients with type 2 diabetes, early intervention with metabolic surgery, when beta cell function still remains intact, provides the greatest probability of long-term remission as high as 90% or more.

Long-term outcome after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: a single-center experience with up to 20 years follow-up

BACKGROUND

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) is the most effective standard bariatric procedure in terms of weight loss and remission of co-morbidities but carries the risk of severe long-term side effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term effects of BPD/DS in terms of morbidity, weight loss, remission of associated medical problems, deficiencies, and reoperations.

SETTING

Academic teaching hospital, Switzerland.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-center study of prospectively collected data of all patients who underwent BPD/DS from 1999 to 2011 with a minimal follow-up (FU) of 10 years.

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients (83.6% female) underwent BPD/DS with a mean initial body mass index (BMI) of 47 ± 6.5 kg/m2. Of these, 68% of the procedures were performed in open technique and 32% laparoscopically. The majority (76.7%) of patients had laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding before BPD/DS. The mean FU time was 14 ± 4.4 years and the FU rate at 5, 10, and 14 years was 95.6% (n = 108), 90% (n = 98), and 75.3% (n = 70), respectively. The mean excess BMI loss at 5, 10, and 14 years was 78% ± 24.1%, 76.5% ± 26.7%, and 77.8% ± 33.8%, respectively. Complete (n = 22) or partial remission (n = 4) of type 2 diabetes was observed in 92.8% of patients. Forty reoperations were necessary in 34 patients (29.3%) because of malnutrition or refractory diarrhea (n = 13), insufficient weight loss or weight rebound (n = 7), reflux or stenosis (n = 10), and various/combined indications (n = 10). The mean time to reoperation was 7.7 ± 5 years. There were no procedure-related deaths in the short or long term.

CONCLUSIONS

BPD/DS offers sustainable long-term weight loss but is associated with important side effects that may be acceptable in selected patients with a high initial BMI (>50 kg/m²) and/or for nonresponders after primary restrictive procedures. Regular FU is necessary to detect and treat malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.

The Mid-Term Effects of Transit Bipartition with Sleeve Gastrectomy on Glycemic Control, Weight Loss, and Nutritional Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Retrospective Analysis of a 3-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Metabolic surgery is an effective treatment method for glycemic control and weight loss in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to present the mid-term metabolic effects and weight loss results of the patients with T2DM who underwent transit bipartition with sleeve gastrectomy (TB-SG).

METHODS

A total of 32 obese patients with T2DM who underwent TB-SG were included in the study. The T2DM remission status after surgery was evaluated. The postoperative glycemic variables, weight loss, lipid profile, and nutritional profile were also compared with the baseline values.

RESULTS

At 36 months after surgery, T2DM remission occurred in 27 patients (84.3%) and the mean BMI decreased from 44.70 ± 9.34 to 29.75 ± 2.19 kg/m². The percentage of total weight loss (TWL) and excess weight loss (EWL) was 33.84% and 77.19%, respectively. The mean LDL values significantly decreased compared to baseline; however, the mean HDL did not significantly differ. No significant difference was observed regarding the mean albumin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels.

CONCLUSION

TB-SG procedure seems promising in terms of T2DM remission and weight loss with less malnutrition and vitamin deficiency in treating obese patients with T2DM.

Evaluating the Pharmacoeconomic Impact of Nutrient Supplementation Post-operatively on Patients Receiving Roux-Y Gastric Bypass vs. Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

Background

Without the needed medical support, bariatric surgery can be associated with post-operative malnutrition and associated nutrient deficiencies. We aimed to evaluate the cost difference of perioperative infusion requirements and TPN between GBP and BPD-DS.

Methods

All patients undergoing GBP or BPD-DS procedures between August 2015 and June 2018 were included. Information was collected to standardize the nutritional information into two categories: (1) oral supplementation and standard intravenous infusions, as predicted costs forming part of preoperative quote and (2) infusions prescribed for malnutrition, based on blood biochemistry, caterized as unexpected costs.

Results

A total of 573 patients over 3 years (GBP 60%, BPD-DS 40%) were included in the analysis. The average predicted costs from oral supplementation for both surgery groups and prophylactic infusions for BPD-DS were GBP (46.90USD) vs. BPD-DS (154.13 USD) (p-value = NS). Unexpected costs for infusions to correct nutritional deficiencies were GBP (199.14 USD) vs. BPD-DS (127.29 USD) (p-value = NS). TPN incidence rate was GBP (2.1%) and BPD-DS (12.7%) (p-value < 0.001) and admission rate per patient was GBP (0.9) and BPD-DS (0.63) (p-value < 0.05). Costs for acquiring TPN were GBP (153.58 USD) vs. BPD-DS (268.76 USD). Total unexpected costs were GBP (352.72 USD) vs. BPD-DS (396.05 USD) (p-value = NS).

Conclusion

Nutrient deficiencies are known to occur within both GBP and BPD-DS surgeries, even up to 3 years. The admission rate/patient, requiring TPN, was higher in the GBP group, indicating that BPD-DS surgery can be efficient and cost-effective with holistic and multitherapeutic post-surgery care. BPD-DS procedures should be reserved for centers with a comprehensive and experienced multidisciplinary team enforcing stringent follow-up regimes.