Differences Between the 2016 and 2022 Editions of the Enhanced Recovery After Bariatric Surgery (ERABS) Guidelines: Call to Action of FAIR Data and the Creation of a Global Consortium of Bariatric Care and Research

Should general anesthesiologists be certified to perform anesthesia for patients with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery: A national web-based cross-sectional survey

Background

Bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia has become one of the most performed surgical procedures for weight loss surgery (WLS). The aim of this survey is to highlight the importance of education and training in bariatric anesthesia (BA).

Methods

An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the percentages of general anesthesiologists among respondents who supported the need for formal structured training in BA as the primary outcome. A 41 items questionnaire on different aspects of BA included in this survey. All anesthesiologists in KSA participated in this survey.

Results

42% responded giving anesthesia for bariatric surgery/year between 25 and 50% of cases/year. 22% responded performing 25-50 cases/month, 21% from 10-25 cases, and 14% from 50-100 cases. Compared with how many elective bariatric surgical procedures performed in your center/month revealed significant differences (P < 0.05), 39% responded with no dedicated team in their center, 14% for <10 cases a month, 9% between 25 and 50 cases a month. Compared to the number of cases performed by non-bariatric anesthetists revealed non-significant differences (P > 0.05), upon asking on how many trained/skilled anesthesiologists in bariatric anesthesia in your center, 24% reported none, 4% only one, 21% 2-5 anesthesiologists, 12% 5-10 anesthesiologists, and 19% of the respondents reported more than 10 anesthesiologists specialized in BA.

Conclusion

We believe in education and training in bariatric anesthesia. Residents' rotation in BA should be included in their curriculum. A dedicated fellowship program to be developed at a national level as well as courses and workshops.

Laparoscopic-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Combined with Port-Site Infiltration (PSI) for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in an ERABS Pathway: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

Patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) commonly experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. We conducted a randomized, prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the analgesic effect of laparoscopic-guided TAP (LG-TAP) block after LSG in a high-volume bariatric center, applying an enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) pathway.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred ten patients were randomly allocated to receive LG-TAP block with local anesthetic (LA) or saline solution (placebo), both combined with port-site infiltration with LA (LA-PSI). Primary outcome was pain score measured in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (PONV), analgesic requirement, time to walking, time to flatus, length of hospital stay (LOS), and surgical complications.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between LG-TAP and placebo groups in postoperative analgesia, with a median (IQR) NRS of 2 (4.75-0) vs. 2 (5.25-0) in PACU, 5.5 (7-3) vs. 6 (7-4) at 6 h, 2 (6-0) vs. 3 (5.25-1.75) at 12 h, and 2 (3.75-0) vs. 1 (2-0) at 24 h; all p > 0.05. A significant difference was found in PONV in PACU (LG-TAP, 46%; placebo, 25%, p-value, 0.019) and at 6 h postoperatively (LG-TAP, 69%, placebo, 41%, p-value, 0.003). No differences were observed as regards other secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that LG-TAP block is not related to more effective postoperative analgesia compared to placebo when LA-PSI is performed.

Updates in Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective long-term treatment for morbid obesity as well as type-2 diabetes mellitus. The field of metabolic and bariatric surgery has seen tremendous growth over the past decade with dramatically reduced risks. This article aims to provide an update on bariatric surgery, highlighting the latest outcomes, improvements, and challenges in the field. Recently, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) released a major update to the indications for bariatric surgery at BMI ≥35 kg/m2 regardless of co-morbidities and 30-34.9 kg/m2 with obesity-related comorbidities. Sleeve gastrectomy has emerged as the most popular bariatric procedure in the last 10 years with its remarkable efficacy and safety profile. The implementation of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have significantly improved the quality of care for all bariatric patients. The recent introduction and FDA approval of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for chronic obesity has garnered significant media coverage and popularity, but no guidelines exist regarding its use in relation to bariatric surgery. This update underscores the need for tailored approaches, ongoing research, and the integration of evidence-based medicine and innovations to enhance patient care.

Compression pre-stapler firing and post-ignition wait during sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Insufficient research exists on the stapling technique in and duration of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes using a 30-second precompression and post-firing waiting time without extra support for the stapling line.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

Randomized controlled prospective study at a university hospital.

METHODS

This study included 120 patients treated between January 2022 and February 2023. The patients were divided into the non-waiting group (T0) and waiting group (T1), each with 60 patients. Perioperative complications were analyzed using statistical tests.

RESULTS

The waiting group (T1) showed a significant reduction in the number of intraoperative bleeding points requiring intervention compared with the non-waiting group (T0) (81 versus 134, P < 0.05). In T0, postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased (P < 0.05) and hemoglobin levels decreased significantly (P <0.05). The study recorded 22 postoperative complications, accounting for 18.3% of all cases during the 30-day postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that the 30 sec + 30 sec stapling technique reduces perioperative bleeding, length of stay, and serious complication rates and is practical and effective for LSG.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov with registration code NCT05703035; link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05703035.

Economic Impact of the Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Protocol in a Bariatric Patient Undergoing a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have proven to be cost-effective in various surgical procedures, mainly in colorectal surgeries. However, there is still little scientific evidence evaluating the economic impact of their application in bariatric surgery. The present study aimed to compare the economic cost of performing a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass following an ERAS protocol, with the costs of following a standard-of-care protocol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective non-randomized study of patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: patients following an ERAS protocol and patients following a standard-of-care protocol. The total costs of the procedure were subdivided into pharmacological expenditures, surgical material, and time expenses, the price of complementary tests performed during the hospital stay, and costs related to the hospital stay.

RESULTS

The 84 patients included 58 women (69%) and 26 men (31%) with a mean age of 44.3 ± 11.6 years. There were no significant differences in age, gender, and distribution of comorbidities between groups. Postoperative pain, nausea or vomiting, and hospital stay were significantly lower within the ERAS group. The pharmacological expenditures, the price of complementary tests performed during the hospital stay, and the costs related to the hospital stay, were significantly lower in the ERAS group. There were no significant differences in the surgical material and surgical time costs between groups. Globally, the total cost of the procedure was significantly lower in the ERAS group with a mean saving of 1458.62$ per patient. The implementation of an ERAS protocol implied a mean saving of 21.25% of the total cost of the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of an ERAS protocol significantly reduces the perioperative cost of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.