Meticulous Closure of Mesenteric Defects Effectively Reduces the Incidence of Internal Hernia After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernia (IH) after Roux-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) can lead to extended small bowel ischemia if it not recognized and treated promptly. The aim of this study is to show whether improvement in mesenteric defect (MD) closure reduces the incidence of IH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from our database including all patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB between 1999 and 2015. The usual technique was a retrocolic/retrogastric RYGB. We divided patients in four groups according to the closure technique for MD and compared incidences of IH between groups. All patients had at least 8 years of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1927 patients (1497 females/460 males, mean age of 41.5 ± 11 years) were operated. A retrocolic/retrogastric RYGB was performed in 1747 (90.7%) and an antecolic RYGB in 180 patients. Mean duration of follow-up was 15 (8-24) years. 111 patients (5.8%) developed IH, the majority through the jejunojejunostomy (JJ, 3.7%) and Petersen (1.7%) defects. With improvement of closure technique, the incidence decreased over time, from 12.9% in the group with separate sutures to 1.05% in the most recent group with running non-absorbable sutures and an additional purse-string at the JJ defect (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Meticulous closure of MD during RYGB is a very important step that significantly reduces the IH risk after RYGB, even with a retrocolic/retrogastric anatomy. Using running non absorbable braided sutures and an additional purse-string suture at the JJ is the most effective technique, but a small IH risk persists. A high index of suspicion remains necessary in patients who present with acute abdominal pain after RYGB.

Drain Versus No Drain in Open Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia, Results of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Open mesh repair of incisional hernia is associated with different local complications, particularly bleeding and seroma formation. Traditionally, drains have been placed perioperatively to prevent these complications, despite the lack of scientific evidence or expert consensus. We formulated the hypothesis that the absence of drainage would reduce number of patients presenting collections or complications. The present study aimed to compare postoperative complication rates after open mesh repair for incisional hernia with or without prophylactic wound drainage. METHODS: Prospective randomized study using standardized surgical technique and drain placement. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of residual fluid collection with ultrasound on postoperative day 30. Other complications, subdivided into medical and surgical, were analyzed as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: There were 144 patients randomized (70 with drain, 74 without drain). No difference was identified between both groups for fluid collection at 30 days (60.3% vs. 62%, p = 0.844). However, less surgical complications were identified in the drain group (21.7% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.007), with a lower wound dehiscence rate (1.5% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic drainage in open incisional hernia repair does not objectively reduce the rate of postoperative fluid collections. Therefore, our results do not support the use of routine drainage in incisional hernia repair. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00478348).

Long-term weight loss and metabolic benefit from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with superobesity.

BACKGROUND: Although Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is widely performed worldwide, its efficacy in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 50 kg/m2 remains controversial. The aim of the present paper was to assess long-term (10 years or more) weight loss and metabolic results of RYGB in patients with superobesity (SO; BMI > 50 kg/m2), compared with patients with morbid obesity (MO; BMI 35-50 kg/m2). METHODS: This study involved retrospective analysis of a prospectively followed cohort of adult patients operated on for a primary RYGB between 1999 and 2008. Long-term weight loss and metabolic parameters were compared between SO and MO patients, with a sex-specific subgroup analysis in SO patients. Multiple logistic regression assessed independent predictors of poor long-term weight loss. RESULTS: Among the 957 included patients, 193 (20.2 per cent) were SO (mean BMI 55.3 kg/m2versus 43.3 kg/m2 in MO). Upon 10-year follow-up, which was complete in 86.3 per cent of patients, BMI remained higher in SO patients (mean 39.1 kg/m2versus 30.8 kg/m2, P < 0.001) although total bodyweight loss (per cent TBWL) was similar (28.3 per cent versus 28.8 per cent, P = 0.644). Male SO patients had a trend to higher 10-year per cent TBWL, while initial BMI greater than 50 kg/m2 and low 5-year per cent TBWL were independent predictors of long-term TBWL less than 20 per cent. Diabetes remission was observed in 39 per cent SO and 40.9 per cent MO patients (P = 0.335) at 10 years, and all patients had a significant lipid profile improvement. CONCLUSION: Substantial improvement in co-morbidities was observed in all patients 10 years after RYGB. Total weight loss was similar in SO and MO patients, leaving SO patients with higher BMI. Suboptimal TBWL 5 years after surgery in SO, especially female patients, may warrant prompt reassessment to improve long-term outcomes.

Long-Term Weight Loss, Metabolic Outcomes, and Quality of Life at 10 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Are Independent of Patients' Age at Baseline.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data have been published for bariatric surgery in older patients, with no long-term large-scale studies available. Our aim was to provide long-term (> 10 years) results on weight loss, metabolic outcomes, and quality of life in a large homogenous series of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients, according to age at baseline. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent primary RYGB between 1999 and 2007, and therefore eligible for 10-year follow-up, were retrospectively analyzed. According to their age at baseline, they were divided into three groups: A (< 40 years), B (40-54 years), and C (≥ 55 years). Categorical variables were compared with the χ2 test and continuous variables with ANOVA. RESULTS: Our series consisted of 820 patients, with a 10-year follow-up of 80.6%. Although group C (11% of all patients) had significantly more comorbidities at baseline, there was no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality between groups. Weight loss was significantly less for group C patients up to the 7th postoperative year, but no difference remained thereafter. 10-year %total weight loss was 32.2, 32.9, and 32.3 respectively in groups A, B, and C. After 10 years, glycemic control and lipid profile improved similarly, rates of partial or complete remission of diabetes and hypertension were identical, and quality of life presented a significant improvement for all patients with no inter-group difference. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest similar short- and long-term outcomes after RYGB for patients ≥ 55 years compared to younger ones; the relative benefit might even be higher for older patients, given their increased comorbidity at baseline.