Proton Pump Inhibitors, Associated Complications, and Alternative Therapies: A Shifting Risk Benefit Ratio.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to compile the most recent and accurate data on the side effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). We also compared the efficacy of PPI to the efficacy of different surgical options for acid reflux control. BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors are the primary therapy for chronic control of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but newer studies demonstrate deleterious side effects. Collating this information and contrasting it with surgical therapy for GERD provides evidence for possible practice changes in treatment. METHODS: A literature search utilizing PubMed was performed evaluating for PPI and anti-reflux surgery (ARS), focusing on articles that reflected information regarding the usage and efficacy of symptom control of both PPI and ARS. Search terms included "ARS, fundoplication, MSA, acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, meta-analysis, PPI, H2 blocker, cardiovascular risk, and gut dysbiosis." We evaluated 271 articles by title, abstract, and data for relevance and included 70. RESULTS: Long-term control of GERD with PPI may have a greater than expected side effect profile than initially thought. Surgical options may provide greater symptom control than PPI without the side effects of long-term medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-reflux control can be safely achieved with either PPI or surgical options; however, the long-term side effects noted in the review such as increased risk of cardiovascular events, renal disease, and gut dysbiosis may suggest surgical anti-reflux control as a better long-term option.

Conducting Pre-deployment Training in Honduras: The 240th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Since January 2002, pre-deployment training of forward resuscitative and surgical units has taken place at the U.S. Army Trauma Training Center (ATTC) in Miami, FL. In June 2019, the 240th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team (FRST) conducted the first pre-deployment Surgical Readiness Training Exercise (SURGRETE) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to allow the team to rehearse in a resource-constrained environment more similar to that expected on deployment. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the pre-deployment training experiences of the 240th FRST during their SURGRETE in Honduras and ATTC rotation in Miami, FL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis of prospectively collected data was performed for surgical cases, trauma resuscitations, and nonsurgical procedures by the 240th FRST over a 2-week SURGRETE in Honduras and 2-week ATTC rotation in Miami, FL. Items accomplished within the Individual Critical Task Lists (ICTLs) of key clinical providers on the team (general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, emergency medicine physician, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) were identified and compared to those accomplished at the ATTC. RESULTS: During the SURGRETE in Honduras, 64 surgical cases, 1 trauma resuscitation, 2 Advanced Cardiac Life Support codes, and 213 nonsurgical procedures were performed collectively by the team. During ATTC rotation, the team performed a combined total of 10 surgical cases, 6 trauma resuscitations, and 56 nonsurgical procedures. For each key clinical provider, more of their assigned ICTLs were conducted during the Honduras SURGRETE than during ATTC rotation. The ATTC, however, offered more cases of acute life-threatening trauma. CONCLUSION: Appropriately planned SURGRETEs can provide a concentrated case volume in a resource-constrained setting and challenge the team to consider definitive management algorithms. The cases performed may not necessarily reflect the type and acuity of operations performed in a deployed environment; however, they facilitate repetition of basic skills, team cohesion, and cross-training. The SURGRETE experience could be improved by locating a facility with a trauma-dominant patient population that allows increased autonomy of U.S. physicians.

Factors influencing long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery provides sustained weight loss and improves comorbidities. However, long term data has shown that patients gradually regain weight after 1 year. Several factors have been associated with poor weight loss after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to investigate factors associated with poor weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). SETTING: Military academic medical center. METHODS: Retrospective review of 247 patients who underwent laparoscopic SG or RYGB between 2010-2012 at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and followed for 5 years postoperatively. Factors of age, type of surgery, sex, hypertension, depression, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are analyzed in univariate and multivariate analysis with percent total weight loss (%TWL) and Body Mass Index (BMI) change as primary endpoints measured at 3 and 5 years. RESULTS: Average BMI change are maximized at 1 year and decreased at 3 and 5 years post-surgery. Age, diabetes, hypertension and type of surgery significantly influenced weight loss at 3 and 5 years on univariate analysis. However, patients with diabetes, hypertension and sleeve gastrectomy were significantly older than comparable control group. Multivariable analysis showed that age and type of surgery, not diabetes or hypertension, were associated with poor %TWL and BMI change at 3 and 5 years. CONCLUSION: While presence of hypertension and diabetes initially appeared to be associated with weight recidivism, their impacts were negligible on multivariable analysis. However, age and sleeve gastrectomy are independent risk factors. Our data can be used to counsel patients on expected weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Achieving Mastery of General Surgery Operative Skill in the Army Healthcare System.

INTRODUCTION: Operative case volumes for military surgeons are reported to be significantly lower than civilian counterparts. Among the concern that this raises is an inability of military surgeons to achieve mastery of their craft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Annual surgical case reports were obtained from seven Army military treatment facilities (MTF) for 2012-2016. Operative case volume and cumulative operative time were calculated for active duty general surgeons and for individual MTFs. Subgroup analyses were also performed based upon rank. Results were extrapolated to calculate the amount of time it would take to reach a cumulative of 10,000 hours of operative time (the a priori definition for achieving mastery). RESULTS: One hundred and two active duty general surgeons operated at the seven MTFs during the study period and met the inclusion criteria. The average surgeon performed 108 ± 68 cases/year. The average surgeon operated 122 ± 82 hours/year. At this rate, it would take over 80 years to reach mastery of surgery. When stratified based upon rank, Majors averaged 113 ± 75 hours/year, Lieutenant Colonels averaged 170 ± 100 hours/year, and Colonels averaged 136 ± 101 hours/year (p < 0.05). When stratified based upon individual MTF, surgeons at the busiest facility averaged 187 ± 103 hours/year and those at the least busy facility averaged 85 ± 56 hours/year (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining mastery of general surgery is a nearly impossible proposition given the current care models at Army MTFs. Alternative staffing and patient care models should be developed if Army surgeons are to be masters at their craft.

Resolution of Fundic Gland Polyposis following Laparoscopic Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation and Subsequent Cessation of Proton Pump Inhibitors.

Gastric polyps occur from a variety of sources and are found commonly on upper endoscopy. We present the case of a 49-year-old female who presented for evaluation for antireflux surgery with a history of fundic gland polyposis who required twice-daily proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for control of her gastric reflux. After verifying that she met criteria for surgery, she underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation placement. With the cessation of PPIs following surgery, the fundic gland polyposis resolved. Fundic gland polyps may occur sporadically or within certain syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis. Multiple possible inciting factors exist, including the use of PPIs. This is the first reported case of the resolution of numerous fundic gland polyps following the completion of laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation.

Management of biliary symptoms after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Biliary disease requiring intervention can be complicated in the postbariatric surgery patient. METHODS: A retrospective review was completed to identify patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy from September 2001 to September 2014, and those who underwent biliary intervention were identified. RESULTS: A total of 1527 patients underwent bariatric surgery during the study period. Of the 1,112 patients without prior cholecystectomy, 91 (8%) had biliary symptoms requiring intervention. Ninety patients underwent cholecystectomy, with 86 successfully completed laparoscopically. Six patients required laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography along with cholecystectomy to clear gallstones from the common bile duct. Three patients who had undergone cholecystectomy before bariatric surgery developed primary common bile duct stones. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for biliary disease after bariatric surgery can be completed successfully with minimal complications, and percutaneous transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has a high success rate of access to and clearance of the biliary tree.

Permacol interposition graft as an alternative to vein in contaminated wounds using a rabbit model.

BACKGROUND: Vascular injuries are common in trauma and often involve massive soft tissue injury and segmental arterial loss. Current practice uses either autogenous vein or polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) for interposition grafting in arterial injuries. Decision making between autogenous or synthetic conduit pivots around the physiological state of the trauma patient. Vein is known to increase operative times in an already physiologically depleted patient, whereas synthetic graft can be simply pulled from the shelf. However, when used in contaminated wounds, PTFE is prone to chronic infection and subsequent graft failure. An alternative synthetic conduit resistant to infection would be ideal for such situations. Permacol (Tissue Science Laboratories, Inc, Andover, MA), a biosynthetic material, has demonstrated resistance to bacterial contamination in contaminated hernia repairs. When fashioned into a tubular structure, this material may be useful as an alternative vascular conduit in contaminated trauma wounds. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to one of 4 groups: Permacol graft (P) without bacterial contamination (n = 9), Permacol graft with bacterial contamination (CP; n = 9), autogenous vein graft without bacterial contamination (V; n = 9), or autogenous vein with bacterial contamination (CV; n = 9). All groups then underwent interposition grafting of the right common carotid artery. Grafts were contaminated by applying Staphylococcus aureus (1 × 10(5) colonies/0.1 mL) directly to the exposed surface of the graft on completion of the arterial repair. Each graft was then excised at day 42, and segments were collected for histologic evaluation, bacterial counts, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 36 rabbits used in this study, 3 animals in the CV group died within 72 hr of surgery. There was no difference in early mortality between P and V (0% vs. 0%; P = 1.0); however, early mortality was higher in the CV compared with the CP group (33% vs. 0%; P = 0.023). At 42 days, histologic evaluation of graft patency demonstrated no difference between P and V (67% vs. 33%; P = 0.157); however, patency was higher in CP than CV (56% vs. 12%; P = 0.040). In addition, no difference was found between the 2 contaminated groups in regard to the number of bacteria present on each graft material. CONCLUSIONS: Permacol as an interposition graft is a feasible alternative to vein in a contaminated setting and shows resistance to infection in a rabbit model. Future studies are needed to evaluate this material in larger animal models.

Upper gastrointestinal swallow study following bariatric surgery: institutional review and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of routine upper gastrointestinal imaging following the three forms of laparoscopic bariatric surgery completed at our institution (laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LS), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)). METHODS: Radiograph reports were reviewed from the period of January 2005 to July 2010. During that time, 129 patients underwent LRYGB, 209 underwent LS, and 12 patients underwent LAGB. Of those patients, 120 LRYGB patients, 188 LS patients, and 11 LAGB patients underwent upper gastrointestinal studies on postoperative days (POD) 1 or 2. RESULTS: Of the 319 total patients who underwent UGI, no contrast leaks were found. One LRYGB patient was found to have stenosis of the jejunojejunal anastomosis and was taken to the operating room for revision. A total of ten patients went on to develop leaks: four LRYGB patients, six LS patients, and zero LAGB patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that a positive UGI study for stricture has a specificity of 100 %. In terms of leak, which offers a much higher risk of significant morbidity and mortality, UGI was unable to find any on postoperative days 1 or 2. Based on the results of this study, our institution has stopped completing routine UGI on POD 1 following bariatric surgery.

Amyand hernia repaired with Bio-A: a case report and review.

A 53-year-old man with an Amyand hernia with indirect and direct components was repaired with a Bio-A (Gore, Newark, Delaware) plug and a patch made of Bio-A tissue reinforcement material. The repair of an Amyand hernia addresses the pathology of the appendix as well as the hernia. We report a case in which a plug and patch repair was undertaken using Bio-A implants in a clean-contaminated field with no signs of infection or recurrence in the follow-up period, and we review the literature regarding the diagnosis and repair of an Amyand hernia.

Comparison of staple-line leakage and hemorrhage in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with or without Seamguard.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been recognized as a primary procedure for the surgical management of morbid obesity. Staple-line leaks and hemorrhage are two associated complications. Staple-line buttressing materials have been suggested to decrease these complications. When used during LSG, few published papers exist that compare the incidence of leak or hemorrhage to that of nonreinforced staple-lines. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of leak and hemorrhage in patients who did and did not receive reinforcement with Seamguard (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). This is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LSG. All patients met National Institutes of Health criteria and each had an extensive preoperative evaluation. Data was collected from inpatient and outpatient medical records. Fifty-nine patients received reinforcement and 80 patients did not. There was no significant difference in mean body mass index, age, or gender make-up between the two groups. The overall incidence of leak was 3.60 per cent. The incidence was 3.39 per cent in patients who received reinforcement and 3.75 per cent in those who did not. This was not statistically significant. There was no incidence of staple-line hemorrhage in either group. There is no conclusive evidence that Seamguard reduces staple-line leakage or hemorrhage. Studies involving a larger number of patients are necessary before recommending staple-line reinforcement.