Reasons and outcomes of conversion of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for nonresponders.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a primary bariatric procedure has gained significant popularity. Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) or Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy (LRYEJ) has been described as a treatment option for inadequate weight loss after LSG and unresolved co-morbidities or complications such as leak, stricture, and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). OBJECTIVES: To determine reasons and outcomes of conversions of LSG to RYGBP. SETTING: Academic Center of Excellence METHODS: Between January 2004 and August 2014, a total of 1118 patients underwent primary LSG for morbid obesity. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted for laparoscopic conversions of LSG to RYGBP or LRYEJ, describing reasons and outcomes. RESULTS: Conversion to RYGBP was identified in 30 (2.7%) patients, of whom only 9 (0.8%) were originally from the authors' institution. Of the entire cohort of revisions, 9 (0.8%) had intractable GERD; only 4 (0.4% of total LSGs reviewed) were originally from the authors' institution. Seven (0.6%) patients were revised for inadequate weight loss: 5 (0.4%) originally from the authors' institution, 2 (0.2%) for stricture, and 12 (1.1%) for leak. Both the stricture and the leak patients were referred from outside institutions. All procedures were performed laparoscopically. The additional mean excess weight loss after conversion to RYGBP was 30.9% with no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: The most common reason for conversion was chronic leak. The conversion rate of LSG to RYGBP due to inadequate weight loss, GERD, and stricture was 1.6% for the entire group, with .8% from the authors' institution. Additional follow-up and studies are needed to define real incidence of GERD after LSG.

Morphology, localization, and patterns of ghrelin-producing cells in stomachs of a morbidly obese population.

BACKGROUND: The role of the hormone ghrelin in the pathogenesis of morbid obesity is unclear. Researchers have identified its involvement in multifunctional activities that include appetite regulation, intestinal motility, release of growth hormone, and cell proliferation. The purpose of this study is to investigate and distinguish a pattern, if present, in ghrelin-producing cells and to record their distribution and quantity in a heterogenic morbidly obese population. SETTING: The Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity were evaluated for number and distribution of gastric ghrelin. Sections of fundus, body, and antrum were evaluated by using a ghrelin antibody staining technique. The gross specimens were divided into the following 3 zones: (1) fundus; (2) body; and (3) antrum. Three sections were then submitted from each zone. The ghrelin cells were counted using an image analyzer (MetaMorph; Universal Imaging Corporation, Downingtown, PA) after staining the blocks with antighrelin antibody. Counting ghrelin cells was standardized, and for each section 10 high-power fields were examined at ×4000. Our statistical analysis entailed a Student t test to compare the number of cells by age, sex, race, diabetic/nondiabetic, and body mass index. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (female 20/male 16) were studied. The average age of these patients was 45.6 (18 to 71) years. Race distribution was as follows: whites, 50% (18); African American, 13.9% (5); and Hispanic, 36.1% (13). Patients with diabetes comprised 13.9% of the cohort (5). Average body mass index was 44.9 kg/m (31 to 70). Significant differences in ghrelin cell distribution were found when comparing gastric anatomy location. Ghrelin cells were significantly more abundant in the gastric fundus when compared with the body and the antrum. Quantities of cells in the antrum were significantly higher in the Hispanic population (P=0.0054). No significant differences among other groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ghrelin-producing cells seem to be more abundant in the fundus of morbidly obese patients. No significant differences were found in terms of number of cells by age, sex, presence of diabetes, or body mass index. There was an incidental finding of a higher concentration of these cells located in the antrum of the Hispanic population when compared with the white cohort.

The foregut theory as a possible mechanism of action for the remission of type 2 diabetes in low body mass index patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The question of whether pure metabolic surgery could be used in nonobese patients with type 2 diabetes has been considered. The objective of this study was to assess the comparative effects of the Billroth I (BI) and Billroth II (BII) reconstruction methods on remission of type 2 diabetes in nonobese patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy for cancer. METHODS: The charts of 404 patients who underwent radical subtotal gastrectomy for cancer between January 2008 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. From these patients, 49 with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. Diabetes remission rates, the percentage change in fasting plasma glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin levels, body mass index, and fasting total cholesterol levels at 2 years were observed. Outcomes were compared using propensity scores and inverse probability-weighting adjustment that reduced treatment-selection bias. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression models were assessed. RESULTS: The 2-year diabetes remission rate for the 23 patients who underwent BI reconstruction was 39.1%, compared with 50.0% for the 26 patients who underwent BII reconstruction. At 2 years, the BII group showed lower glycated hemoglobin levels (BI, 6.4%; BII, 6.1%; P = .003) and had greater percent reductions in their average glycated hemoglobin levels from baseline (BI,-11.6%; BII,-14.5%; P = .043). BII reconstruction was significantly associated with an increased diabetes remission rate (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-9.83) in covariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These propensity score-adjusted analyses of patients who had undergone subtotal gastrectomy indicated that BII reconstruction was associated with increased diabetes remission compared with BI reconstruction during the 2-year follow-up period. This study suggests the possibility of employing the surgical duodenal switch for the treatment of nonobese type 2 diabetes patients.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a step approach for morbidly obese patients with early stage malignancies requiring rapid weight loss for a final curative procedure.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a relatively new treatment modality implemented in the surgical management for morbid obesity. It has been well documented that obesity is not only associated with an increased risk of malignancies but is also consistent with a higher incidence of surgical complications related to its definitive management. In spite of the weight loss experienced by patients with malignancy due to a catabolic state, bariatric surgery might be considered as a step procedure allowing for a more efficient and suitable surgical approach to treat early stage malignancies, thereby decreasing the procedure-related morbidity and mortality. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary weight loss procedure in patients with untreated malignancy facilitating a definitive oncologic surgical approach. METHODS: After institutional review board approval and following Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines, we conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database. From September 2006 to March 2009, we analyzed all morbidly obese patients with early stage malignancy that underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute as a weight loss surgery prior to a second oncologic procedure. The variables examined were excess body weight, percent excess weight loss, comorbidities, malignancy type, preoperative body mass index (BMI), postoperative BMI, morbidity, and mortality. Mean follow-up time was 3 months until an oncologic procedure was performed. RESULTS: Our series included four morbidly obese patients. There were three males and one female, with a mean age of 53.75 years (range 27-67 years) and a mean BMI of 48.25 kg/m(2) (range 42-55 kg/m(2)). Mean excess weight in our patient population 176 lbs. Mean weight loss at 3 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was 59.35 lbs (range 28-79 lbs). Comorbidities included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Crohn's disease, coronary artery disease, and previous history of DVT. One patient was diagnosed with a small bowel carcinoid, two patients with renal hypernephroma, and one patient with prostate cancer. After an average time of 3 months, patients underwent a definitive procedure in accordance to their type of malignancy. There were neither postoperative complications nor mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and reasonable approach to effectively reduce weight in order to allow morbidly obese patients with early stage malignancies to undergo a second oncologic procedure.

Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with body mass index <35 kg/m2.

BACKGROUND: Patients who are categorized with class I obesity have a body mass index (BMI) of 30-34.99 kg/m(2). This population of patients has a predisposition to diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the improvements of these co-morbidities in a class I obese population that had undergone a bariatric procedure. METHODS: After internal review board approval and with adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines, a retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained database of 42 class I obese patients who underwent a bariatric procedure at our institution during a 10-year period, from February 2000 to May 2010. The fasting glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin level, lipid profile, initial weight, and BMI were measured in the preoperative and postoperative periods. RESULTS: Our patient population consisted of 30 women and 12 men, with a preoperative mean BMI of 33.9 kg/m(2). Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed in 24 patients (57%), laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 8 (19%), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in 10 (24%). Of these 42 patients, 25 (60%) had type 2 diabetes, 1 patient was glucose intolerant, 27 (64%) had arterial hypertension, 25 (60%) had dyslipidemia, 17 (40%) had sleep apnea, and 8 (19%) had osteoarthritis. The postoperative findings included a mean BMI of 26.5 kg/m(2) and a mean weight loss of 41.4 lb. Of the 25 diabetic patients, 5 (20%) gained remission and 12 (48%) improvement of their diabetic status. The single patient with glucose intolerance showed improvement. Of the 27 patients with arterial hypertension, 9 (33%) showed remission and 13 (52%) improvement. Dyslipidemia resolved in 5 patients (20%) and improved in 13 (52%). Obstructive sleep apnea resolved in 10 (59%) and improvement was seen in 1 patient (6%). Finally, osteoarthritis resolved in 1 patient (12%) and improved in 5 (63%). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery can significantly improve or resolve co-morbid metabolic conditions in patients with class I obesity.

Understanding the significance, reasons and patterns of abnormal vital signs after gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

Anastomotic leaks and bleeding are the two most feared major complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB). This study was designed to evaluate if there is a clinical correlation between abnormal vital signs and postoperative leaks and bleeding. After IRB approval and adherence to HIPAA guidelines, a retrospective review of medical records was performed on 518 patients who underwent LRYGB between October 2002 and October 2006. Vital signs from each patient were monitored hourly. Eight patients out of 518 (1.54%) were discovered to have anastomotic leak. A marked increase in heart rate up to 120 bpm at 20 h after surgery occurred in five of eight patients (62.5%). Of the eight patients who had a leak, seven (87.5%) experienced sustained tachycardia above 120 bpm. On the other hand, 20 patients out of 518 (3.86%) were discovered to have postoperative bleeding. A gradual rather than a dramatic increase in heart rate was recorded in 17 of 20 patients (85%) starting 8 h after surgery. Five patients (25%) had unsustained tachycardia above 120 bpm. Twelve patients in this group (60%) were seen to have cyclical tachycardia that never exceeded 120 bpm at any point during hospitalization. Marginal hypotension was found in seven patients (35%) in this group. Sustained tachycardia with a heart rate exceeding 120 bpm appears to be an indicator of anastomotic leak. Tachycardia less than 120 bpm that has occurred in a cyclical pattern strongly pointed toward postoperative bleeding. Anastomotic leaks and bleeding are the two most feared major complications in patients undergoing LRYGB. This study was designed to evaluate if there is a clinical correlation between abnormal vital signs and postoperative leaks and bleeding.