Dicarboxylic acids counteract the metabolic effects of a Western diet by boosting energy expenditure.

Obesity has reached pandemic proportion not only in the West but also in other countries around the world; it is now one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A Western diet is rich in saturated fats and provides more calories than necessary, contributing to the rise of the obesity rate. It also promotes the development of liver steatosis, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this issue of the JCI, Goetzman and colleagues describe the effects of consuming dicarboxylic acids (DAs) as an alternative source of dietary fat. The 12-carbon dicarboxylic acid (DC12) was administered to mice at 20% of their daily caloric intake for nine weeks in place of triglycerides. Notably, the change in diet increased the metabolic rate, reduced body fat, reduced liver fat, and improved glucose tolerance. These findings highlight DAs as useful energy nutrients for combatting obesity and treating various metabolic disorders.

Can liquid biopsies for MASH help increase the penetration of metabolic surgery? A narrative review.

This narrative review highlights current evidence on non-invasive tests to predict the presence or absence as well as the severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common condition characterized by fat accumulation in the liver that affects 32 % of the world population. The most severe form of MASLD is MASH in which hepatocyte ballooning and inflammation are present together with steatosis; MASH is often associated with liver fibrosis. MASH diagnosis is determined by invasive liver biopsy. Hence, there is a critical need for non-invasive MASH tests. Plasma biomarkers for MASH diagnosis generally have low sensitivity (62-66 %), and specificity (78-82 %). Monocyte levels of Perilipin2 (PLIN2) predict MASH with an accuracy of 92-93 %, and sensitivity and specificity of 90-95 % and 88-100 %, respectively. This liquid biopsy test can facilitate the study of MASH prevalence in general populations and also monitor the effects of lifestyle, surgical, and pharmacological interventions. Without any FDA-approved MASH therapeutic, and with metabolic surgery markedly surpassing the efficacy of lifestyle modification, an accurate and reliable liquid biopsy could help more people choose surgery as a treatment for MASH.

Efficacy of Sleeve Gastrectomy with Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair versus Sleeve-Fundoplication on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Resolution: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: There is still disagreement over how sleeve gastrectomy (SG) affects gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The debate regarding the best option for patients undergoing bariatric surgery who are also affected by GERD and/or hiatal hernia continues to divide the community of bariatric surgeons. While concomitant hiatal hernia repair (SG + HHR) has been proposed as a means of reducing the risk of GERD following SG with varying degrees of success, the addition of a fundoplication (SG + FP) has been suggested in recent years as a way to improve the lower esophageal sphincter's competency. The aim of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of SG + HHR versus SG + FP on GERD remission in patients with obesity. (2) Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, and studies analyzing the effects of SG + HHR versus SG + FP on postoperative GERD were included. The methodological quality of included trials was evaluated. The primary outcome was postoperative GERD rate, erosive esophagitis, and 12-month weight loss. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and mortality. The PRISMA guidelines were used to carry out the present systematic review (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42023405600). (3) Results: Fifteen articles with a total of 1164 patients were included in the meta-analysis; 554 patients underwent SG + HHR while 610 underwent SG + FP. In the SG + HHR group, 58.5 ± 28.9% of subjects presented clinical GERD symptoms compared to 20.4 ± 17.5% postoperatively (p < 0.001). In the SG + FP group, 64.8 ± 39.4% were affected by GERD preoperatively compared to only 5 ± 8.1% postoperatively (p < 0.001). SG + FP patients had a significantly greater GERD remission compared to SG + HHR (p < 0.001). Weight loss was similar between groups (p = 0.125). The rate of leaks was 0.18% and 0.33% in the SG + HHR and SG + FP, respectively (p = 0.657), while perforations were significantly higher after SG + FP compared to the SG + HHR group (3.1% versus 0%, p = 0.002). The mortality rate was significantly greater in the SG + FP group (0.5% versus 0%, p = 0.002). (4) Conclusions: This study revealed that both SG with concomitant HHR and sleeve-fundoplication are effective in terms of reflux resolution and weight outcomes, with superiority of SG + FP in terms of GERD control, despite a greater overall complication rate. Both strategies can therefore be suggested as a suitable alternative variant to a conventional SG in subjects with obesity and concomitant hiatal hernia and/or GERD. Studies with extended follow-up and direct comparisons of these surgical approaches to conventional SG are warranted.

Incidence of lymphomas in inflammatory bowel disease: report of an emblematic case, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Over the past 20 years, the increasing use of combined therapy with immunosuppressants and biologic agents has markedly reduced the use of steroids in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, medical therapy seems to promote, in the long run, carcinogenesis resulting in an increased risk of developing different types of malignancies, including lymphomas. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current incidence and prognosis of lymphoid neoplasms occurring in patients with IBD. Methods: Studies analyzing the incidence of lymphomas in subjects of age >18 years affected by IBD were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies focusing on pediatric populations, not reporting person-years of follow-up, or with a duration < 1 year were excluded. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register were searched from inception through January 2022. Publication bias within studies was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests and random effects model. Quantitative results were synthesized using relative-risk meta-analysis. PRISMA guidelines were used to carry out this systematic review (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42023398348). Results: A total of 345 studies published between 1985 and 2022, with a total of 6,17,386 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Substantial heterogeneity between studies prevented the pooling of estimates (I2 = 97.19%). Evidence of publication bias was overall low (p = 0.1941). Patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD) were 1,86,074 (30.13%), while 2,78,876 (46.17%) were diagnosed with UC. The remaining 23.7% of cases were diagnosed with indeterminate colitis. Immunomodulators and biologic therapy were used in 24,520 (5.27%), and 17,972 (3.86%) patients, respectively. Reported incidence rates for lymphoma in IBD ranged from 0.0/100,000 person/years (py) (95% CI 0.0-3.7/100,000) to 89/100,000 py (95% CI 36-160/100,000). Reported incidence rates of lymphoma in CD ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0-3.7/100,000) to 91/100,000 py (95% CI 18-164/100,000). For UC, the incidence rate ranged from 0.0/100,000 py (95% CI 0.0-3.7/100,000) to 95/100,000 py (95% CI 0-226/100,000). Male-to-female ratio was ~4:1. Therapy with immunomodulators was directly associated with an increased incidence of lymphoma (p < 0.0001). Evidence of publication bias was overall low (p = 0 .1941). Conclusions: The evidence arising from this study highlights a correlation between the use of immunomodulators and subsequent lymphoma development. Combined multidisciplinary approach and long-term follow-up are warranted in order to decrease mortality deriving from the coexistence of both conditions. Systematic review registration: Identifier: CRD42023398348.

Cerebral oximetry monitoring by means of INVOS-4100 as a predictor of ischemic events during carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Several methods have been proposed to monitor cerebral perfusion during carotid endarterectomy (CEA), with the purpose of minimizing the risk of perioperative stroke. The INVOS-4100 is able to detect cerebral oxygen saturation providing an intraoperative real-time monitoring system of cerebral oximetry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the INVOS-4100 in predicting cerebral ischemia during CEA. Methods: Between January 2020 and May 2022, 68 consecutive patients were scheduled for CEA either under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia with deep and superficial cervical block. Vascular oxygen saturation was recorded continually through INVOS before and during clamping of the ICA. Awake testing was performed in the group of patients undergoing CEA under regional anesthesia. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included; 43 were males (63.2%). Severe stenosis of the artery was present in 92%. Forty-one (60.3%) patients were monitored by INVOS, while 22 (39.7%) underwent awake testing. Mean clamping time was 20 ± 6.6 min. Patients undergoing awake testing had a lower hospital stay and ICU stay during admission (p = 0.011 and p = 0.007 respectively). Comorbidities correlated with a higher ICU stay (p < 0.05). The INVOS monitoring was able to predict ischemic events with a sensitivity of 98% (AUC = 0.976). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that cerebral oximetry monitoring was a strong predictor of cerebral ischemia, although it was not possible to determine the non-inferiority of cerebral oximetry compared to awake testing. Nonetheless, the use of cerebral oximetry evaluates only perfusion in the superficial brain tissue and an absolute rSO2 value corresponding to significant cerebral ischemia has not been established. Therefore, larger prospective studies that correlate cerebral oximetry with neurologic outcomes are needed.

Bariatric-metabolic surgery versus lifestyle intervention plus best medical care in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (BRAVES): a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that bariatric-metabolic surgery might greatly improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the efficacy of surgery on NASH has not yet been compared with the effects of lifestyle interventions and medical therapy in a randomised trial. METHODS: We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial at three major hospitals in Rome, Italy. We included participants aged 25-70 years with obesity (BMI 30-55 kg/m2), with or without type 2 diabetes, with histologically confirmed NASH. We randomly assigned (1:1:1) participants to lifestyle modification plus best medical care, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or sleeve gastrectomy. The primary endpoint of the study was histological resolution of NASH without worsening of fibrosis at 1-year follow-up. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03524365. FINDINGS: Between April 15, 2019, and June 21, 2021, we biopsy screened 431 participants; of these, 103 (24%) did not have histological NASH and 40 (9%) declined to participate. We randomly assigned 288 (67%) participants with biopsy-proven NASH to lifestyle modification plus best medical care (n=96 [33%]), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n=96 [33%]), or sleeve gastrectomy (n=96 [33%]). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the percentage of participants who met the primary endpoint was significantly higher in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group (54 [56%]) and sleeve gastrectomy group (55 [57%]) compared with lifestyle modification (15 [16%]; p<0·0001). The calculated probability of NASH resolution was 3·60 times greater (95% CI 2·19-5·92; p<0·0001) in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group and 3·67 times greater (2·23-6·02; p<0·0001) in the sleeve gastrectomy group compared with in the lifestyle modification group. In the per protocol analysis (236 [82%] participants who completed the trial), the primary endpoint was met in 54 (70%) of 77 participants in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group and 55 (70%) of 79 participants in the sleeve gastrectomy group, compared with 15 (19%) of 80 in the lifestyle modification group (p<0·0001). No deaths or life-threatening complications were reported in this study. Severe adverse events occurred in ten (6%) participants who had bariatric-metabolic surgery, but these participants did not require re-operations and severe adverse events were resolved with medical or endoscopic management. INTERPRETATION: Bariatric-metabolic surgery is more effective than lifestyle interventions and optimised medical therapy in the treatment of NASH. FUNDING: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli, Policlinico Universitario Umberto I and S Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.

The Role of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Anastomotic Leak Prevention during Elective Colorectal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Despite several perioperative care advancements and innovations in surgical procedures and technologies, the incidence rate of anastomotic leaks (ALs) after colorectal surgery has not substantially decreased. Gut microbiota can play a critical role in the healing process of anastomotic tissue and alterations in its composition may be largely to blame for anastomotic insufficiency. The use of specific antibiotics for preoperative large bowel decontamination could significantly influence the rate of ALs. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the various antibiotic prophylactic regimen strategies for primary prevention of ALs during colorectal surgery, in view of the available evidence. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) analyzing prophylactic antibiotic bowel preparation in colorectal surgery were included. PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through to 30 November 2022. The methodological quality of the included trials was evaluated. The primary outcome was AL rate; secondary outcomes were superficial/deep surgical site infections (SSIs). The PRISMA guidelines were used to carry out the present systematic review. Results: Thirteen RCTs published between 1977 and 2022, with a total of 4334 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered orally in 11/13 studies and intravenously in 2 studies. Patients randomly assigned to antibiotic prophylaxis, regardless of the regimen, had a reduced risk of ALs (p = 0.003) compared to mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) alone. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis was also more effective in significantly reducing SSIs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The evidence points to an advantage of oral antibiotic prophylaxis in terms of AL rate, a significant contributor to perioperative morbidity, mortality, and rising healthcare expenditures. In light of such results, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis should be strongly encouraged prior to colorectal surgery.

Y Not Roux-en-Y?: Resolution of Barrett's Esophagus After Surgical Conversion of Gastric Sleeve in Two Patients.

Esophageal lesions ranging from erosive esophagitis to Barrett's esophagus (BE) eventually develop months-years after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), representing a significant post-surgical issue in GI practice. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) conversion is a widespread and effective method of managing reflux and esophageal complications following SG. Although some studies using a limited sample size have demonstrated that RYGB performed as a primary procedure may regress BE presumably by reducing reflux, whether the same may apply to RYGB performed as revision surgery after SG has scarcely been addressed in the literature. Though histological regression of BE following primary RYGB occurs in 51.9% of patients, with regression of Barrett's dysplasia in 50% of cases, revisional RYGB yields a remission rate as high as 81.8% for Barrett's metaplasia and 100% for dysplastic lesions, although the number of subjects in the published studies are very small. We report two patients who developed GERD and BE following SG with complete regression 12 months after conversion to RYGB in both subjects, confirming the substantially greater proportion of BE resolution in patients undergoing RYGB as revision surgery following SG.

Novel Modality of Endoluminal Anastomotic Integrity Assessment with Fluoroangiography After Left-sided Colorectal Resections.

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been described for the intraoperative evaluation of colorectal anastomotic integrity. Technological evolution has allowed to progress from basic mechanical methods to the use of more sophisticated techniques. This study describes a novel endoluminal modality of colorectal anastomotic assessment through the use of a Disposable Rigid Scope Introducer (DRSI) also allowing for intraoperative endoluminal perfusion evaluation by indocyanine green (ICG) fluoroangiography in patients undergoing left-sided colorectal resection. METHODS: The DRSI consists of an endoluminal introducer device made up of an insertion tube and port connected to an insufflation bulb to manually insufflate the sigmoid and rectum and is compatible with any laparoscopic camera, also allowing for ICG fluoroangiography for perfusion purposes. RESULTS: The DRSI was successfully used to assess anastomotic integrity after left-sided colorectal resections performed in 16 consecutive patients. The DRSI allowed to visualize by fluoroangiography the quality of tissue perfusion at the anastomotic site in all cases, contributing to the decision of avoiding loop ileostomies in low rectal resections. In 2 cases, the DRSI showed the presence of significant anastomotic bleeding which was successfully controlled by laparoscopic suture placement. No adverse event resulted from the use of this device. CONCLUSIONS: The DRSI combines direct endoluminal visualization of the anastomosis together with real-time evaluation of its blood flow. This device holds great potential for prompt intraoperative detection of anastomotic alterations, possibly reducing the risk of postoperative anastomotic bleeding or leaks related to mechanical construction/perfusion issues. Potential advantages of this device warrant larger cohort studies and prospective randomized trials.

Accurate liquid biopsy for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical diagnosis and approval of new medications for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) require invasive liver biopsies. The aim of our study was to identify non-invasive biomarkers of NASH and/or liver fibrosis. DESIGN: This multicentre study includes 250 patients (discovery cohort, n=100 subjects (Bariatric Surgery Versus Non-alcoholic Steato-hepatitis - BRAVES trial); validation cohort, n=150 (Liquid Biopsy for NASH and Liver Fibrosis - LIBRA trial)) with histologically proven non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) or NASH with or without fibrosis. Proteomics was performed in monocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) with iTRAQ-nano- Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), while flow cytometry measured perilipin-2 (PLIN2) and RAB14 in peripheral blood CD14+CD16- monocytes. Neural network classifiers were used to predict presence/absence of NASH and NASH stages. Logistic bootstrap-based regression was used to measure the accuracy of predicting liver fibrosis. RESULTS: The algorithm for NASH using PLIN2 mean florescence intensity (MFI) combined with waist circumference, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and presence/absence of diabetes as covariates had an accuracy of 93% in the discovery cohort and of 92% in the validation cohort. Sensitivity and specificity were 95% and 90% in the discovery cohort and 88% and 100% in the validation cohort, respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) for NAS level prediction ranged from 83.7% (CI 75.6% to 91.8%) in the discovery cohort to 97.8% (CI 95.8% to 99.8%) in the validation cohort.The algorithm including RAB14 MFI, age, waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma glucose and ALT levels as covariates to predict the presence of liver fibrosis yielded an AUROC of 95.9% (CI 87.9% to 100%) in the discovery cohort and 99.3% (CI 98.1% to 100%) in the validation cohort, respectively. Accuracy was 99.25%, sensitivity 100% and specificity 95.8% in the discovery cohort and 97.6%, 99% and 89.6% in the validation cohort. This novel biomarker was superior to currently used FIB4, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio and was comparable to ultrasound two-dimensional shear wave elastography. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed novel liquid biopsy is accurate, sensitive and specific in diagnosing the presence and severity of NASH or liver fibrosis and is more reliable than currently used biomarkers. CLINICAL TRIALS: Discovery multicentre cohort: Bariatric Surgery versus Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, BRAVES, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03524365.Validation multicentre cohort: Liquid Biopsy for NASH and Fibrosis, LIBRA, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04677101.

Upper gut heat shock proteins HSP70 and GRP78 promote insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

A high-fat diet increases the risk of insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis. Here we identified two heat-shock proteins, Heat-Shock-Protein70 and Glucose-Regulated Protein78, which are increased in the jejunum of rats on a high-fat diet. We demonstrated a causal link between these proteins and hepatic and whole-body insulin-resistance, as well as the metabolic response to bariatric/metabolic surgery. Long-term continuous infusion of Heat-Shock-Protein70 and Glucose-Regulated Protein78 caused insulin-resistance, hyperglycemia, and non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis in rats on a chow diet, while in rats on a high-fat diet continuous infusion of monoclonal antibodies reversed these phenotypes, mimicking metabolic surgery. Infusion of these proteins or their antibodies was also associated with shifts in fecal microbiota composition. Serum levels of Heat-Shock-Protein70 and Glucose-Regulated Protein78were elevated in patients with non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis, but decreased following metabolic surgery. Understanding the intestinal regulation of metabolism may provide options to reverse metabolic diseases.

New Horizons: Emerging Antidiabetic Medications.

Over the past century, since the discovery of insulin, the therapeutic offer for diabetes has grown exponentially, in particular for type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the drugs in the diabetes pipeline are even more promising because of their impressive antihyperglycemic effects coupled with remarkable weight loss. An ideal medication for T2D should target not only hyperglycemia but also insulin resistance and obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and the new class of GLP1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide dual RAs counteract 2 of these metabolic defects of T2D, hyperglycemia and obesity, with stunning results that are similar to the effects of metabolic surgery. An important role of antidiabetic medications is to reduce the risk and improve the outcome of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction, as well as diabetic nephropathy, as shown by SGLT2 inhibitors. This review summarizes the main drugs currently under development for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and T2D, highlighting their strengths and side effects.

Sex difference in the safety and efficacy of bariatric procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

With the prevalence of obesity alarmingly increasing, it is of primary interest to identify those factors predicting the success of anti-obesity therapeutic strategies currently adopted in clinical practice, and in particular, those of bariatric procedures showing the greatest success in terms of weight loss and maintenance in both the short and long term. Given sex-related differences in psychosocial status, hormonal homeostasis, and body fat distribution, it is likely that the response to different weight management strategies differs by sex. The objective was to elucidate the effect of sex on different bariatric procedures' efficacy and safety outcomes. Searches of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were performed, followed by hand-searching of reference lists from all relevant articles. We included all the studies evaluating the effect of bariatric procedures on body mass index loss (BMIL), and/or percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), and/or percentage excess body mass index loss, and/or percentage of responders, and/or short-/long-term complications and co-morbidity resolution, broken down by sex. Twenty-seven studies with a total of 114,919 patients were included. Men were more likely to achieve greater BMIL, consistent with higher male baseline BMI, and women were 2.87 times more likely to be classified as weight responders (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-4.34), as well as to perform better in terms of %EWL (95% CI: .13-.54). Upon subgroup analysis based on bariatric procedure, women were more likely to be successful in terms of %EWL upon bioenteric intragastric balloon (BIB) placement (.72, 95% CI: .42-1.02). There was no sex difference regarding investigated co-morbidity resolution (hypertension, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) or occurrence of short-term complications, whereas women were more likely to develop long-term complications, with an odds ratio of 1.97 (95% CI: 1.57-2.49). Sex does not have a clear effect on efficacy outcomes of bariatric procedures. Differentiating by procedure, BIB may be more effective in women, although results are discordant based on the weight loss outcome considered. If the short-term postoperative complication rate is similar across both sexes, long-term complications occur more frequently in women. To clarify the real effect of sex on bariatric procedure-derived health benefits, it is crucial to report sex-stratified results in future studies, as well as evaluate body composition changes that go beyond simple body weight reduction.

Intracholecystic versus Intravenous Indocyanine Green (ICG) Injection for Biliary Anatomy Evaluation by Fluorescent Cholangiography during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: Fluorescence cholangiography has been proposed as a method for improving the visualization and identification of extrahepatic biliary anatomy in order to possibly reduce injuries and related complications. The most common method of indocyanine green (ICG) administration is the intravenous route, whereas evidence on direct ICG injection into the gallbladder is still quite limited. We aimed to compare the two different methods of ICG administration in terms of the visualization of extrahepatic biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), analyzing differences in the time of visualization, as well as the efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages of both modalities. (2) Methods: A total of 35 consecutive adult patients affected by acute or chronic gallbladder disease were enrolled in this prospective case−control study. Seventeen patients underwent LC with direct gallbladder ICG injection (IC-ICG) and eighteen subjects received intravenous ICG administration (IV-ICG). (3) Results: The groups were comparable with regard to their demographic and perioperative characteristics. The IV-ICG group had a significantly shorter overall operative time compared to the IC-ICG group (p = 0.017). IV-ICG was better at delineating the duodenum and the common hepatic duct compared to the IC-ICG method (p = 0.009 and p = 0.041, respectively). The cystic duct could be delineated pre-dissection in 76.5% and 66.7% of cases in the IC-ICG and IV-ICG group, respectively, and this increased to 88.2% and 83.3% after dissection. The common bile duct could be highlighted in 76.5% and 77.8% of cases in the IC-ICG and IV-ICG group, respectively. Liver fluorescence was present in one case in the IC-ICG group and in all cases after IV-ICG administration (5.8% versus 100%; p < 0.0001). (4) Conclusions: The present study demonstrates how ICG-fluorescence cholangiography can be helpful in identifying the extrahepatic biliary anatomy during dissection of Calot's triangle in both administration methods. In comparison with intravenous ICG injection, the intracholecystic ICG route could provide a better signal-to-background ratio by avoiding hepatic fluorescence, thus increasing the bile duct-to-liver contrast.

Advice of General Practitioner, of Surgeon, of Endocrinologist, and Self-determination: the Italian Road to Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered the most efficient treatment for severe obesity. International guidelines recommend multidisciplinary approach to BS (general practitioners, endocrinologists, surgeons, psychologists, or psychiatrists), and access to BS should be the final part of a protocol of treatment of obesity. However, there are indications that general practitioners (GPs) are not fully aware of the possible benefits of BS, that specialty physicians are reluctant to refer their patients to surgeons, and that patients with obesity choose self-management of their own obesity, including internet-based choices. There are no data on the pathways chosen by physicians and patients to undergo BS in the real world in Italy. METHODS: An exploratory exam was performed for 6 months in three pilot regions (Lombardy, Lazio, Campania) in twenty-three tertiary centers for the treatment of morbid obesity, to describe the real pathways to BS in Italy. RESULTS: Charts of 2686 patients (788 men and 1895 women, 75.5% in the age range 30-59 years) were evaluated by physicians and surgeons of the participating centers. A chronic condition of obesity was evident for the majority of patients, as indicated by duration of obesity, by presence of several associated medical problems, and by frequency of previous dietary attempts to weight loss. The vast majority (75.8%) patients were self-presenting or referred by bariatric surgeons, 24.2% patients referred by GPs and other specialists. Self-presenting patients were younger, more educated, more professional, and more mobile than patients referred by other physicians. Patients above the age of 40 years or with a duration of obesity greater than 10 years had a higher prevalence of all associated medical problems. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients referred to a tertiary center for the treatment of morbid obesity have a valid indication for BS. Most patients self-refer to the centers, with a minority referred by a GP or by specialists. Self-presenting patients are younger, more educated, more professional, and more mobile than patients referred by other physicians. Older patients and with a longer duration of obesity are probably representative of the conservative approach to BS, often regarded as the last resort in an endless story.