Adjustable gastric banding in a public university hospital: prospective analysis of 400 patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic application of an adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is considered the least invasive surgical option for morbid obesity. It has the advantage of being potentially reversible and can improve quality of life. METHOD: Between April 1997 and January 2001, 400 patients underwent LAGB. There were 352 women and 48 men with mean age 40.2 years (16-66). Preoperative mean body weight was 119 kg (85-195) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.8 kg/m2 (35.1-65.8). RESULTS: Mean operative time was 116 minutes (30-380), and mean hospital stay was 4.55 days (3-42). There was no death. There were 12 conversions (3%). 40 complications required an abdominal reoperation (10%), for perforation (n = 2), gastric necrosis (n = 1), slippage (n = 31), incisional hernia (n = 2) and reconnection of the tube (n = 4). We noticed 7 pulmonary complications (2 ARDS, 5 atelectasis) and 30 minor problems related to the access port. At 2 years, mean BMI had fallen from 43.8 to 32.7 kg/m2 and mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 52.7% (12-94). CONCLUSION: LAGB is a very beneficial operation with an acceptable complication rate. EWL is 50% at 2 years if multidisciplinary follow-up remains assiduous. Surveillance for late anterior stomach slippage within the band is essential.

[Laparoscopic gastroplasty for morbid obesity: prospective study of 300 cases]. / Gastroplastie laparoscopique pour obésité morbide: étude prospective de 300 cas.

STUDY AIM: Laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity is noninvasive and reversible. The aim of this prospective study was to report the preliminary results of this procedure in the first 300 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1997 to January 2000, 300 patients were laparoscopically operated for severe obesity: 266 women, 34 men, with a mean age of 40.1 years (range: 16-66). The mean preoperative weight was 118 kg (range: 85-195) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.6 kg/m2 (range: 35.1-65.8). This is a recent and complete series with a mean follow-up of 10 months (range: 3-31). The primary endpoint was excessive weight loss (EWL) and the secondary endpoints were tolerance and morbidity. RESULTS: There were no postoperative deaths. The mean operating time was 129 minutes (range: 50-380). A conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 11 patients. The mean hospital stay was 4.76 days (range: 3-42). There were 29 complications (9.6%), 16 among the first 50 procedures: 14 patients underwent an abdominal reoperation (2 perforations, 3 early slippages, 7 late slippages, 2 incisional hernias); 6 had respiratory complications with 2 ARDS and 9 developed a complication related to the port. At one year, BMI decreased from 43.6 to 33.7 kg/m2 and EWL reached 44.2%; 80% of the patients lost 60% of their excess weight. CONCLUSION: Our experience is encouraging with an acceptable complication rate (5%) after 50 procedures. Slippage remains the main reason for close surveillance. Half of the excess weight can be comfortably lost in one year when the whole medical and surgical staff provide close support for each patient.

[Laparoscopic gastroplasty for severe obesity. 300 cases, evaluation of the first 150]. / La gastroplastie par laparoscopie pour grands obèses. 300 cas, évaluation des 150 premiers.

OBJECTIVES: The laparoscopic approach for gastroplasty is gaining widespread acceptance for morbid obesity. Less invasive and potentially reversible, this gastroplasty guarantees better quality of life. We thus evaluated perioperative complications in our consecutive series of 300 patients and followed the excessive weight loss (EWL) for the first 150. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1997 and January 2000, 300 patients underwent laparoscopic gastroplasty for severe obesity according to the NIH criteria: 266 women, 34 men, mean age 40.1 years (16-66 years). Mean preoperative weight was 118 kg (85-195 kg) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.4 kg/m2 (31.5-65.8). Two hundred one patients had 1.3 comorbidity due to excess weight. The first 150 patients were followed 15.5 months (12-31) without any lost to follow-up. Medical, dietary and psychological data were recorded every 3 months for 18 months. The main evaluation criteria was EWL; others were tolerance and morbidity. RESULTS: There was no death. Mean operative time was 129 minutes (50-380), mean hospital stay was 4.76 days (3-42). There were 11 conversions (3.6%). There were 29 complications (9.6%): 11 were postoperative (5 underwent an abdominal operation for 2 perforations, 3 early slippages; and 6 respiratory problems with 2 ARDS) and 18 were late complications (7 late slippages, 2 incisional hernias and 9 port problems). Follow-up of the first 150 patients was complete: at one year, BMI fell from 43.6 to 33.8 kg/m2 and EWL reached 50.5% at 18 months. CONCLUSION: Our experience is recent, but in light of the danger of the spontaneous course of morbid obesity, the results are encouraging due to the absence of mortality and the low rate of complications after the first 50 procedures. Half of the excess weight can be lost in one and a half years. Patient comfort remains quite acceptable with the active support of the surgery and medical teams.

Endermologie: humoral repercussions and estrogen interaction.

Endermologie is a motorized rhythmic folding-unfolding and suction technique of the panniculus adiposus. Our study shows that one 40-min Endermologie session produces no noticeable changes in biological parameters, except for plasma estradiol levels, which vary significantly, first by decreasing during the session, then by increasing afterward. Such an Endermologie/estrogen interaction can be compared to the clinical effects observed in some patients undergoing regular Endermologie treatment: return of menses in amenorrheal patients and a trophic effect on skin and subcutaneous connective tissue comparable to that observed during postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. Understanding such an interaction with the estrogen metabolism requires additional studies and opens many paths for research on therapeutic applications before and after menopause beyond refinement of the body contour and improvement of the appearance of the panniculus adiposus.

[Results of a multicenter study on tolerance of a semi-elemental diet administered enterally]. / Résultats d'une étude multicentrique de tolérance d'une diète semi-élémentaire administrée par voie entérale.

An important aim of our study was to prove the effectiveness and tolerance of a semi-elemental diet (Tipeptid) infused continuously through a nasogastric feeding tube for 8 days. 383 patients entered the study. This study shows a positive nitrogen balance for 57.6 p. cent of the patients. Tolerance is good, however, incidence of diarrhoea is only 12 p. cent per treatment day among patients without digestive disease and 20 p. cent in the opposite case.

[Diet and rectocolonic cancers. Results of a case-control study]. / Alimentation et cancers recto-coliques. Résultats d'une étude "cas-témoin".

In a case-control study performed in an hospital of the North-Eastern Paris area, nutritional intakes of 94 patients with colorectal carcinoma were compared with those of 94 control patients, matched for age and sex. Results were expressed as mean daily nutrients and energy intakes. This dietary survey covered the "present period" (i.e. prior to the hospitalisation) and the "past-period" in case of striking and prolonged changes in dietary habits. Whatever the site of carcinoma (the rectum and sigmoid or the remaining colon) there was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls (in both sexes) for the following parameters: a) total energy intake, b) proportions of lipids, proteins and fat expressed as percentages of total energy intake, c) minerals, d) vitamins and e) dietary fibers. In women with colorectal carcinoma, a decrease in alcohol and lipid consumptions was observed. In patients with rectal or sigmoid carcinoma past alcoholic intakes were higher in both sexes. These results do not allow any clear epidemiological conclusion. In spite of their cost and length prospective studies are probably the only way to answer the difficult question of which dietary factors may be found in colorectal carcinoma.

Ascitic cirrhosis in relation to alcohol consumption.

The average daily alcohol consumption of 184 male patients with ascitic cirrhosis and a random population sample of 778 males was ascertained by interview. Relative risks of ascitic cirrhosis are calculated for different levels of daily alcohol consumption: the logarithm of risk is shown to be a linear function of consumption. The proportion of cases attributable to alcohol is calculated and shown to be over 90%. The potential saving of ascitic cirrhosis if individual consumption of alcohol does not exceed 40g. per day is estimated at 80%.