Global Level of Harm experienced by Bariatric Surgeons for Bariatrics surgical interventions: An exploration of predictors

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by surprise with the depth and breadth of its effect on all walks of life, bariatric surgery being no exception. With the scientific literature hitherto unable to comment and ascertain the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric surgery and the level of harm experienced by bariatric surgeons, we- TUGS 'Level of Harm' collaborative group- attempted to gauge the effect of the said pandemic on bariatrics surgery specifically vis a vis the level of harm experienced by bariatric surgeons due to the pandemic. Method(s): A virtual questionnaire- developed on both: Google forms and Survey Monkey- was circulated via TUGS social media platforms to reach bariatric consultant surgeons, fellows and residents practising throughout the world in a bid to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on their surgical practice including but not limited to the annual surgical volume including re-do surgeries volume and postoperative complications. Moreover, they were also requested to categorise their respective level of harm vis a vis bariatric surgical interventions they undertake. After de-identification of the data, SPSS (V.26) was adopted to undergo statistical analysis. After exploring the dataset by descriptive analyses, the Chi-square test was applied to pursue the association of categorical variables with the reported level of harm. A double-sided p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result(s): 16.8% of the respondents (21/125) indicated no harm vis a vis bariatrics surgery work whereas a comparative 18.4% of the respondents (23/125) reported moderate harm with significant worsening of symptoms. None of those who indicated less than 10% increase in surgery waitlisted patients being subjected to endoscopic interventions (0/14) reported Moderate Harm for bariatrics surgery work with significant worsening of symptoms whereas 1 in every 3 of those who indicated between 10% to 25% increase in surgery waitlisted patients being subjected to endoscopic interventions (5/15) reported such level of harm for bariatrics surgery work. (p < 0.001) Upon exhaustive sub-group analysis, it was uncovered that 33.6% of bariatrics surgical professionals perceived no harm (no evidence of change in clinical condition) during gastric band or related surgery work with only 4% perceiving Moderate Harm (significant worsening of symptoms/ comorbidities control/ minor increase in medications) for such surgical interventions. All of those who reported No harm for gastric band or related surgical work reported that Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI-S) accounts for 10% of their practice whereas none of those who indicated that SADI-S accounts for more than 10% of their practice reported No harm for such surgical work. (p = 0.019) Conclusion(s): The global snapshot illustrates a trend of low harm vis a vis bariatrics surgery work in surgical professionals practising in the private sector with a lesser number of patients developing COVID-19 postoperatively and no postoperative COVID-19 related mortality. The patient being subjected to endoscopic intervention portends a higher level of harm for bariatrics surgical work- strict adherence to criteria and safety protocols being a logical inference. For gastric band and related surgery work, preoperative COVID-19 testing appears to be influenced by confounders in its effect on the surgeon's level of harm for the said interventions warranting further exploration. SADI-S, at a cut-off of 10%, exhibits strong interaction with the surgeon's level of harm for gastric band insertion and relation surgery work. Women surgical professionals came out to exhibit equivalent mental resilience and technical prowess at par with their male colleagues when it came to bariatrics surgical intervention.

Challenges of developing and executing a multi-site registry for a novel device with evolving indications for use.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of new technologies in endoscopy has been met with uncertainty, skepticism, and lack of standardization or training parameters, particularly when disruptive devices or techniques are involved. The widespread availability of a novel endoscopic suturing device (OverStitch™) for tissue apposition has enabled the development of applications of endoscopic suturing. METHODS: The American Gastroenterological Association partnered with Apollo Endosurgery to develop a registry to capture in a pragmatic non-randomized study the safety, effectiveness, and durability of endoscopic suturing in approximating tissue in the setting of bariatric revision and fixation of endoprosthetic devices. RESULTS: We highlight the challenges of the adoption of novel techniques by examining the process of developing and executing this multicenter registry to assess real-world use of this endoscopic suturing device. We also present our preliminary data on the safety and effectiveness of the novel device as it is applied in the treatment of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The Prospective Registry for Trans-Orifice Endoscopic Suturing Applications (ES Registry) was an effective Phase 4, postmarketing registry aimed at capturing pragmatic, real-world use of a novel device. These findings serve to solidify the role of endoscopic suturing in clinical practice.

Managing obesity in people with type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with the prevalence of both increasing worldwide. This trend is associated with increasing mortality, cardiovascular risk and healthcare costs. An individual's weight will be determined by complex physiological, psychological and societal factors. Assessment by a skilled multidisciplinary team will help identify these factors and will also support screening for secondary causes, assessing cardiovascular risk and identifying sequelae of obesity.A range of treatment options are available for people with obesity and T2DM, including low-calorie diets, medications and bariatric surgery. People should be carefully counselled and personalised care plans developed. Bariatric surgery is an under-utilised resource in this context.Obesity should also be considered when choosing medical therapy for T2DM. Common diabetes medications may lead to weight gain whereas others (such as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors) support weight loss.Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related complications and all-cause mortality. Diabetes remission is possible after surgery and is recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in individuals with a body mass index of >35 kg/m2 and recent onset T2DM.

Spontaneous Hyperinflation of an Intragastric Balloon Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction.

A 39-year-old female with a history of obesity (body mass index, BMI = 33.6) had an intragastric balloon (IGB) placed in February 2020 for weight loss. She presented with gastric outlet obstruction after a delay in the removal of her IGB because of the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic. Although uncommon, spontaneous hyperinflation of IGBs has been reported and the US FDA also has issued a warning regarding the risk of spontaneous hyperinflation. The etiology of the hyperinflation is unclear, however, gas-forming micro-organism contamination of the IGB fluid has been reported.