Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia (PEH) Repair, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, and Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) in a Patient with Achalasia After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: GERD and Achalasia are two known complications after sleeve gastrectomy. Treatment towards each of these complications varies and requires a tailored approach. METHODS: We present a 55-year-old female with class II obesity and a previous history of sleeve gastrectomy who developed significant gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to medical management. After a covid infection in fall of 2020, she began to report new symptoms of dysphagia that progressed from solids to liquids. She underwent extensive workup including upper endoscopy, upper GI barium swallow, manometry, pH impedence, and EndoFlip leading to a diagnosis of Achalasia type II as well as a paraesophageal hernia. RESULTS: Given these findings, she underwent a combined paraesophageal hernia repair with conversion of sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric diversion and an intra-operative peroral endoscopic myotomy. Intraoperatively, she was noted to have significant lower abdominal adhesions leading to performing the Roux-en-Y reconstruction through a supramesocolic defect in a retrocolic fashion. CONCLUSIONS: While the development of heartburn and achalasia after sleeve gastrectomy is rare, it requires interventions dedicated towards each etiology. This case demonstrates treatment of both these symptoms is feasible in a single operation.

Bariatric surgeon perceptions of the safety of same-day sleeve gastrectomy in the state of Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND: During the past 2.5 years, select bariatric surgeons in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have been implementing same-day sleeve gastrectomy (SDSG). Key reasons for this change have been to reduce risks associated with hospitalization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to comply with third-party payer preference to reduce costs. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate bariatric surgeons' attitudes about outcomes and morbidity between patients who are hospitalized after sleeve gastrectomy and patients who undergo SDSG. SETTING: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts (teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School). METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted among bariatric surgeons practicing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An anonymous web-based questionnaire was distributed using the Research Electronic Data Capture software. A total of 58 bariatric surgeons in Massachusetts were identified and successfully contacted based on registration with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, membership in the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and internet search. RESULTS: A total of 33 bariatric surgeons in Massachusetts completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 56.9%. Among the respondents, 75.76% have not performed SDSG, reporting patient safety as the major concern, and 24.24% had performed SDSG in the past. CONCLUSION: Survey responses showed no significant differences in surgeon perception between SDSG and hospitalization after surgery. Optimal patient selection was an important factor influencing surgeons' decisions with regard to performing SDSG. However, bariatric surgeons in Massachusetts are reluctant to perform SDSG.

Can revision of RYGB to sleeve gastrectomy be a solution to inadequate weight loss treatment?

We aimed to discuss the weight loss success of the revision of RYGB to sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Between January 2019 and June 2020, four patients' files were analyzed retrospectively. Post-RYGB mean minimal BMI was 27.4 ± 9.47 kg/m², before SG the mean BMI was 43.41 ± 4.16 kg/m2. Post-operative gastric fistula developed in two patients. The mean follow-up time after revision surgery was 17.25 ± 6.89 months, mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 74.77 ± 8.94%, and mean BMI was 32.65 ± 2.9 kg/m2. Despite high rate of major complications, revision of RYGB to SG is successful in weight loss and resolving certain complications of RYGB.

Nuestro objetivo era discutir el éxito en la pérdida de peso de la revisión de BGYR a gastrectomía en manga (SG). Entre enero de 2019 y junio de 2020, se analizaron retrospectivamente los archivos de cuatro pacientes. El IMC mínimo medio post BGYR fue 27.4 ± 9.47 kg/m², antes de SG el IMC medio fue 43.41 ± 4.16 kg/m2. En dos pacientes se desarrolló una fístula gástrica posoperatoria. El tiempo medio de seguimiento después de la cirugía de revisión fue de 17.25 ± 6.89 meses, la pérdida media de exceso de peso (PEP) fue de 74.77 ± 8.94% y el IMC medio fue de 32.65 ± 2.9 kg/m2. A pesar de la alta tasa de complicaciones mayores, la revisión de BGYR a SG tiene éxito en la pérdida de peso y la resolución de ciertas complicaciones de BGYR.

Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy vs laparoscopic sleeve + Rossetti fundoplication on weight loss and de novo GERD in patients affected by morbid obesity: a randomized clinical study.

PURPOSE: To compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to SG associated with Rossetti fundoplication (SG + RF) in terms of de novo gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) after surgery, weight loss, and postoperative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients affected by morbid obesity, without symptoms of GERD, who were never in therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), were randomized into two groups. One group underwent SG and the other SG + RF. The study was stopped on February 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients of the programmed number of 404 patients were enrolled (68.8%). De novo esophagitis was considered in those patients who had both pre- and postoperative gastroscopy (97/278, 34.9%). Two hundred fifty-one patients (90.3%) had completed clinical follow-up at 12 months. SG + RF resulted in an adequate weight loss, similar to classic SG at 12-month follow-up (%TWL = 35. 4 ± 7.2%) with a significantly better outcome in terms of GERD development. One year after surgery, PPIs were necessary in 4.3% SG + RF patients compared to 17.1% SG patients (p = 0.001). Esophagitis was present in 2.0% of SG + RF patients versus 23.4% SG patients (p = 0.002). The main complication after SG + RF was wrap perforation (4.3%), which improved with the surgeon's learning curve. CONCLUSION: SG + RF seemed to be an effective alternative to classic SG in preventing de novo GERD. More studies are needed to establish that an adequate learning curve decreases the higher percentage of short-term complications in the SG + RF group.

30-day morbidity and mortality of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and one anastomosis gastric bypass: a propensity score-matched analysis of the GENEVA data.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data comparing 30-day morbidity and mortality of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study aimed to compare the 30-day safety of SG, RYGB, and OAGB in propensity score-matched cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analysis utilised data collected from the GENEVA study which was a multicentre observational cohort study of bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) in 185 centres across 42 countries between 01/05/2022 and 31/10/2020 during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 30-day complications were categorised according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Patients receiving SG, RYGB, or OAGB were propensity-matched according to baseline characteristics and 30-day complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: In total, 6770 patients (SG 3983; OAGB 702; RYGB 2085) were included in this analysis. Prior to matching, RYGB was associated with highest 30-day complication rate (SG 5.8%; OAGB 7.5%; RYGB 8.0% (p = 0.006)). On multivariate regression modelling, Insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia were associated with increased 30-day complications. Being a non-smoker was associated with reduced complication rates. When compared to SG as a reference category, RYGB, but not OAGB, was associated with an increased rate of 30-day complications. A total of 702 pairs of SG and OAGB were propensity score-matched. The complication rate in the SG group was 7.3% (n = 51) as compared to 7.5% (n = 53) in the OAGB group (p = 0.68). Similarly, 2085 pairs of SG and RYGB were propensity score-matched. The complication rate in the SG group was 6.1% (n = 127) as compared to 7.9% (n = 166) in the RYGB group (p = 0.09). And, 702 pairs of OAGB and RYGB were matched. The complication rate in both groups was the same at 7.5 % (n = 53; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This global study found no significant difference in the 30-day morbidity and mortality of SG, RYGB, and OAGB in propensity score-matched cohorts.

Safety of Bariatric Surgery During the Opening Phase After the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience at an Academic Center.

INTRODUCTION: Increased morbimortality in patients with COVID-19 infection who had undergone surgery has raised concerns about bariatric surgery safety during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is scarce literature on safety outcomes after bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 infection and associated complications during the first 30 days after bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study including all patients who consecutively underwent primary bariatric surgery between August and December 2020. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were included. Median age and BMI were 36 (17-70) years and 38 (35-41) kg/m2, respectively. Forty percent of patients were women (n = 76), 59.3% (n = 112) underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and 40.7% (n = 77) underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). All surgeries were performed laparoscopically. The median length of postoperative stay was 2 (0-5) days. Postoperative COVID-19 infection was detected in two patients (1.1%): one patient was readmitted without the need of intermediate or ICU care, and the other was managed as an outpatient. Major complications occurred in three patients (1.6%); none of them was COVID-19 related. Two patients required an unplanned reoperation. No patient required intermediate or ICU care, no severe COVID-19 complications were observed, and no mortality was reported. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery can be safely performed during the ongoing pandemic, albeit a low risk of COVID-19 symptomatic infection. Rigorous perioperative COVID-19 institutional protocols are required to perform bariatric surgery safely during the current pandemic.

A rare case report of late-onset phytobezoar formation following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: delayed redo bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Phytobezoar formation is a complication of bariatric surgery and mostly occurs after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) operations. Here, we present an extremely rare case of late phytobezoar formation following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 40.7 kg/m2 underwent LSG. Following persistent symptoms of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and tremendous weight loss, endoscopy was performed, and gastric phytobezoar was detected at one-year post-operation. After endoscopic fragmentation, phytobezoar was removed by snare, and the patient later underwent redo bariatric surgery (conversion of LSG to LRYGB). CONCLUSIONS: With an increase in the number of LSG procedures performed globally, and the late-onset nature of phytobezoar formation, more cases of this complication are expected to be detected in future. Long-term postoperative follow-up alongside applying surgical methods to avoid gastric stenosis are needed to reduce the chance of phytobezoar formation in patients undergoing LSG.

Eighty-Seven Consecutive Sleeve Gastrectomies Between the Two Peaks of the Covid-19 Pandemic. An Opening-Phase Experience.

PURPOSE: During the Covid-19 pandemic, the outcome of symptomatic Covid-19 infection occurring early after elective operations is reportedly associated with fatalities. Incidence is unknown and data on bariatric practice is scarce. Covid-19 exposure status and outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between the first two peaks of the pandemic are prospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During our "opening-phase," candidates for SG were enrolled after written informed consent was obtained which specifically emphasized the additional risks of the Covid-19. Viral exposure history and swab/RNA testing were obtained from all. Preoperative antibody testing was also performed, once became available. Preoperative workout, definitions, and surgical technique were standard. Patients were followed up with video-calls. All perioperative data is prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Between June 23 and November 20, 87 consecutive SGs were performed without mortality and conversion with a 1.2% major early complication rate. Single complication was due to Covid-19, acutely becoming symptomatic one day following the SG. During the first year of the pandemic, a minimum of 13.8% of the patients had encountered the virus and the rate of developing postoperative symptomatic Covid-19 was 6.3% including a patient with full-blown Covid-19 pneumonia 1 day after SG. Results on weight loss matched expectations. CONCLUSION: Currently, differing from the first peak of pandemic, vaccines are underway although a more serious surge continues. Given the high rate of morbidity and mortality of Covid-19 infection early after elective operations, caution is warranted when balancing the expected benefit from an elective procedure against the risk of acquiring perioperative Covid-19 infection.