Decreasing complication rates for one-stage conversion band to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) revision surgery is often necessary because of its high failure rate. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that better patient selection, when converting a failed LAGB to a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a one-stage revision procedure, is safe, feasible and improves the complication rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a one-stage conversion of failed gastric banding to a LSG. Collected data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), intraoperative complications, length of stay and post-operative complications. The results were compared to a previous study of 90 cases of LSG as a revision procedure for failed LAGB. RESULTS: There were 75 patients in the current study, 61 women and 14 men, aged 25-67 (average: 46), with a mean BMI of 45 kg/m2 (32-66). Seventy patients (93.3%) were operated for insufficient weight loss and 5 patients (6.7%) for intolerance to the band. In our previous study, 35 patients (39%) were operated for slippage, erosion or obstruction and 14 (15.6%) had post-operative complications as opposed to only 4 patients (5.3%) in this series (P = 0.0359). Gastric leak also improved to 1.3% compared to 5.5% previously. Average hospitalisation time was 2.5 days (1-40). CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous patient selection, without band complications such as slippage, erosion or obstruction, allows for a significantly lower rate of operative complications for a one-stage conversion of failed gastric banding to a LSG.

Laparoscopic revision of Billroth II with Braun anastomosis into Roux-en-Y anatomy in a patient with intestinal malrotation.

INTRODUCTION: Various reconstructions of the gastro-intestinal tract have been described in the past after distal gastrectomy. Among these, a Billroth II (BII) anastomosis can be performed with the addition of the Omega entero-enterostomy that may theoretically reduce the alkaline reflux. Given the significant complications associated with this procedure such as biliary reflux, marginal ulceration, and afferent loop syndrome, a revision into a Roux-en-Y anatomy is generally recommended. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A 73-year-old healthy male was referred to our foregut surgery service for treatment of severe biliary gastritis. The patient previously underwent an open distal gastrectomy with a BII reconstruction followed by a Braun-type entero-enterostomy 6 months later. His main complaint was worsening daily biliary reflux with constant regurgitations, which were non-responsive to medical treatment. The preoperative endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of severe biliary gastritis secondary to alkaline reflux. The distance between the gastro-jejunostomy and the Braun anastomosis was also measured with a pediatric colonoscope and the length of the efferent limb was estimated to be 80 cm. RESULTS: Identification of the afferent and efferent limb was complicated by the patient's incomplete intestinal malrotation with the angle of Treitz being present in the right hypochondrium. Intra-operative gastroscopy enabled visualization of the jejuno-jejunostomy and ensured correct interpretation of the anatomy. Subsequently, resection of the afferent limb completed the revision into a Roux-en-Y anatomy. The patient recovered well after the surgery and was discharged home on post-operative day 2. At 6 months follow-up, the patient's reflux symptoms have completely disappeared. CONCLUSION: BII reconstruction with or without Braun entero-enterostomy is a classic historical option following distal gastrectomy. Surgical revision of a BII into a Roux-en-Y anatomy is a good solution for severe biliary reflux and other long-term complications. Intra-operative endoscopy is a great adjunct to laparoscopic exploration in case of complex surgical procedures.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in the Postpartum Period: Increased Risk of Bleeding, a Challenging Situation.

The female population represents three-fourths of patients undergoing a bariatric procedure and could be scheduled for surgery in their postpartum period. We report a difficult case of a female patient who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 6 weeks postpartum. The postpartum period is accompanied by pronounced vasodilatation with transient portal hypertension. Most of the hemodynamic alterations occurring during pregnancy return to baseline within 6-8 weeks after delivery. Bariatric surgery in the postpartum period should be avoided in order for the cardiovascular system to regain its normality.

Fully Ambulatory Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: 328 Consecutive Patients in a Single Tertiary Bariatric Center.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming one of the most popular bariatric procedures because of its short operative time, good resolution of comorbidities, excellent weight loss, and low complications rate. However, the safety of LSG as a day-surgery procedure has not yet been widely documented. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected bariatric database, in a single institution, between August 2012 and February 2015, yielded 980 patients who underwent LSG; 328 patients (33.5 %) responded to established criteria and were operated on a 1-day surgery basis (length of stay < 12 h). RESULTS: There were 258 (78 %) primary LSG and 70 revisional LSG (22 %) performed on 284 females and 44 males, with a mean age (±SD) of 38 ± 9 years. Mean (±SD) preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 45 ± 6 kg/m(2). Operative time was 68 ± 17 min (mean ± SD). There were no deaths. A total of 322 patients (98.2 %) were discharged home the day of surgery. There were 6 (1.8 %) unplanned overnight hospitalization, and 28 patients (8.5 %) were readmitted between days 1 and 30. Most patients (25/34, 73 %) were hospitalized for minor problems, such as pain, nausea, and/or vomiting. There were two cases of (0.6 %) gastric staple line leaks, three (0.9 %) of intra-abdominal hematomas, two (0.6 %) of pneumonia, one (0.3 %) of acute pancreatitis, and one (0.3 %) of urinary tract infection. All patients recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: LSG can be performed as an outpatient procedure in selected patients, with acceptable results in terms of retention, readmission, and complication rates.