[Bariatric surgery: 10-year results of the Swedish Obese Subjects Study]. / L'étude clinique du mois. Chirurgie bariatrique: les résultats à 10 ans de la "Swedish Obese Subjects Study".

The 10-year results of the prospective, controlled Swedish Obese Subjects Study were recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine by L. Sjöström and colleagues. This trial compared obese subjects who underwent gastric surgery and contemporaneously matched, conventionally treated obese control subjects. The follow-up rate for laboratory examinations was 74.5 percent at 10 years. At that time, data of 627 patients of the control group (mean age of 48 years, body mass index of 41 kg/m2) were compared to those of 641 patients who were submitted to surgery (banding n = 156, vertical banded gastroplasty n = 451 and gastric bypass n =34). At 10 years, the body weight had increased by 1.6 percent in the control group and decreased by 16.1 percent in the surgery group (p < 0.001), and similar changes were observed for waist circumference (+2.8 percent versus -10.1 percent, respectively, p < 0.001). Energy intake was lower and the proportion of physically active subjects higher in the surgery group than in the control group throughout the observation period. Ten-year rates of recovery from diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and hyperuricaemia were more favourable in the surgery than in the control group. The surgery group had lower 10-year incidence rates of diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hyperuricaemia (but not of hypertension) than the control group. In conclusion, as compared with conventional therapy, bariatric surgery appears to be a valuable option for the treatment of severe obesity, resulting in long-term weight loss, improved lifestyle, and, except for hypercholesterolaemia that was not significantly affected, amelioration in cardiovascular risk factors that were elevated at baseline. Obtaining long-term data concerning the effect of weight loss on overall mortality and on the incidence rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cancer remains a key-objective of this landmark study.

Intact cross-talk between insulin secretion and insulin action after postgastroplasty recovery of ideal body weight in severely obese patients.

Most reports investigating the hormonal and metabolic effects of bariatric surgery studied obese subjects after partial weight loss only. Nevertheless, all studies showed significant improvements of insulin secretion, action, clearance and inhibition of its own secretion, although the parallel kinetics of all these changes remained questionable. Using the intravenous glucose tolerance test, we demonstrated a full normalization of insulin secretion, action on glucose metabolism and clearance in eight obese women who recovered and maintained ideal body weight following gastroplasty. Reciprocal changes were observed between postglucose acute insulin secretion and insulin-mediated glucose disposal so that the so-called disposition index (product of these two variables) remained unchanged after vs before gastroplasty in those individuals with normal glucose tolerance. These favourable results should encourage obtaining a drastic and sustained weight loss in patients with severe obesity at risk of developing type II diabetes.

Human exposure to endocrine disrupters: consequences of gastroplasty on plasma concentration of toxic pollutants.

BACKGROUND: Body weight loss occurring after a hypoenergetic diet or a gastroplasty could be followed by an increase in blood concentration of potentially toxic pollutants that can interfere with the hormonal system (endocrine disrupters). DESIGN: Thirty obese individuals recruited for gastroplasty were compared before and after treatment with 45 normal-weight people. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were analyzed for DDT, DDE, HCB and PCBs no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The results indicate clearly that body weight loss occurring after gastroplasty increases plasma concentration of lipophilic pollutants. CONCLUSION: Gastroplasty increases plasma concentration of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs, which could be a risk factor of endocrine disruption. Future longitudinal research will have to determine if the advantages of body weight loss are reduced by this potentially harmful effect.

Long-term results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for the treatment of morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Since the first laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) operation on September 1, 1993, there have been important publications related to this procedure. The majority of the articles reported surgical technique and short-term results. Long-term results of LAGB are lacking. The authors report long-term data (at least 4 years) from 3 major bariatric centers in Belgium that perform LAGB routinely. METHODS: The 3 centers applied the same patient selection criteria, the same standard surgical technique, the same laparoscopic band (Lap-Band) and the same follow-up program. 763 patients have been enrolled. Sex ratio was 22% male/78% female. Mean age was 34 years, and mean preoperative BMI was 42 kg/m2. RESULTS: The follow-up rate was 90%, and the minimum follow-up time was 4 years. The average BMI after 4 years was 30 kg/m2. Early complications were: gastric perforation 4 (0.5%); large bowel perforation 1 (0.1%); bleeding 1 (0.1%); and conversion to open 10 (1.3%). Late complications were: erosion 7 (0.9%); total food intolerance 59 (8%); access port problems 20 (2.5%); re-operations 80 (11.1%); death 1 (0.1%). CONCLUSION: Long-term results of LAGB have been rarely reported, although publications on the procedure are copious. Our long-term data found that BMI evolution is good, the complication and re-operation rates are acceptable and the overall long-term results of the Lap-Band system are good.

[Clinical case of the month. Natural history of morbid obesity: towards insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes and reversal after bariatric surgery]. / Le cas clinique du mois. L'histoire naturelle d'une obésité morbide: aller vers le diabète de type 2 insulinorequérant et retour après chirurgie bariatrique.

Morbid obesity is a crucial risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and is often associated with a metabolic syndrome closely linked to insulin resistance. This case report illustrates the natural history of morbid obesity, starting during the adolescence and ending with an extremely severe type 2 diabetes at the age of 40. Numerous attempts of weight loss with various medical approaches failed and diabetes mellitus rapidly became insulin-requiring in a context of extreme insulin resistance. Finally, the patient was submitted to a gastric bypass which resulted in a drastic weight loss over 50 kg during the year following surgery without any significant side-effects or complications. Type 2 diabetes almost disappeared and the classical markers of insulin resistance were markedly improved. This clinical case clearly demonstrates that successful management of obesity with bariatric surgery can reverse severe type 2 diabetes.

Severe/extreme obesity: a medical disease requiring a surgical treatment?

Obesity poses a serious health hazard and its treatment is often disappointing. Surgical approaches have been proposed for treating severe obesity (body mass index or BMI > or = 35 kg/m2) with comorbidities or extreme obesity (BMI > or = 40 kg/m2). Before accepting bariatric surgery as alternative treatment, the four following prerequisites should be met: 1. the medical condition is serious enough; 2. it can not be treated satisfactorily with classical means; 3. the surgical treatment is effective in improving the clinical situation; and 4. bariatric surgery is safe enough, so that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. On the basis of the literature and our own experience, it appears that gastric reduction surgery may be considered as a valuable alternative for treating severe/extreme obesity, despite the possible occurrence of perioperative and, more frequently, late complications, provided that it is performed by an experienced and multidisciplinary team in well-selected patients.

[How I treat ... an individual with severe obesity and metabolic abnormalities with gastroplasty]. / Comment je traite ... une obésité sévère et ses anomalies métaboliques par une gastroplastie.

Severe obesity, defined as a body mass index > or = 35 kg/m2, is frequently associated with various biological abnormalities, particularly in the presence of intra-abdominal adiposity. The most important disorders belong to the so-called insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome or syndrome X: hyperinsulinaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemias, hyperuricaemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia. All these metabolic abnormalities are considered as cardiovascular risk factors. They are also correlated with the severity of the liver steatosis which is commonly observed in individuals with severe obesity. We report our experience of the evolution of these metabolic abnormalities after a marked weight loss induced by gastroplasty. We will analyse the favourable effects of bariatric surgery on insulin sensitivity, biological components of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and liver steatosis.

Effects of gastroplasty on body weight and related biological abnormalities in morbid obesity.

Obesity is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Medical treatment rarely succeeds, and bariatric surgery has been proposed as an alternative therapy. The purpose of this non-controlled retrospective study was to evaluate time-course changes in body weight in severely obese patients who underwent vertical ring gastroplasty or adjustable silicone gastric banding, and to assess the prevalence and potential reversibility of several of the biological abnormalities associated with morbid obesity. From an initial cohort comprising 658 patients, regular body weight measurements and biological data were obtained in 505 patients [419 females, 86 males; age 36 +/- 11 years; body mass index 42.7 +/- 6.9 kg/m2; (mean +/- SD)] with a mean follow-up of 26 +/- 14 months. Mean weight loss was 32 +/- 16 kg. Most weight reduction occurred within the first 6 months, followed by near-stabilisation or even slight weight regain. Most biological parameters were obtained before surgery and after at least 6 months of follow-up. The high prevalence and severity of metabolic disturbances associated with the insulin resistance syndrome (hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, decreased HDL cholesterol, hypertriglyceridaemia, elevated fibrinogen levels and hyperuricaemia) before gastroplasty were significantly decreased after weight loss. No major biological deficiencies were observed following gastroplasty, except low iron serum levels. It is concluded that marked weight loss associated with gastroplasty involved a remarkable reduction in the prevalence and severity of several biological abnormalities classically considered as cardiovascular risk factors.

Pulmonary function and pain after gastroplasty performed via laparotomy or laparoscopy in morbidly obese patients.

We have compared severely obese patients (body mass index > 35 kg m-2) undergoing laparoscopic or open gastroplasty (n = 15 in each group) to determine if laparoscopy results in any benefit in the obese. Postoperative pain, measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale, and opioid consumption were recorded during the first two days after operation. Tests of pulmonary function were performed and SpO2 was measured 4 h after surgery and on days 1, 2 and 3 after operation. Pain at rest was similar in the two groups, but in the laparoscopy group, requirements for postoperative opioid were 50% less (P < 0.05). Pain intensity during mobilization and on coughing was significantly less after laparoscopy (differences between mean pain scores in both groups ranged from 20 to 32 mm during mobilization and from 32 to 34 mm during coughing). Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate were reduced significantly less after laparoscopic gastroplasty than after open gastroplasty (on day 1 forced vital capacity was reduced by 50% compared with 64%, forced expiratory volume in 1 s was reduced by 50% compared with 66% and peak expiratory flow rate by 45% compared with 60%). SpO2 values were significantly greater in the laparoscopy group (day 1: mean 95 (SD 2)% vs 91 (5)%; day 3: 97 (1)% vs 94 (3)%). This study suggests that the beneficial effects observed after laparoscopic gastroplasty in morbidly obese patients were similar to those reported after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in non-obese patients.

Long-term results of polyglactin mesh for the prevention of incisional hernias in obese patients.

The aim of this study was to compare prospectively the incidence of incisional hernia in two groups of patients operated on for morbid obesity, with or without intraperitoneal polyglactin mesh. From October 1990 to September 1993, a total of 288 patients were randomly assigned to the two groups. There were 144 patients in the mesh group and 144 in the no-mesh group. Altogether 240 patients (83%) were reviewed personally, 45 (16%) were interviewed by phone (n = 39) or mail (n = 6), and 3 (1%) were inaccessible for follow-up since discharge from the hospital. The mean follow-up period was 29.8 months (range 0-67 months). A total of 33 incisional hernias were observed in the mesh group and 41 in the no-mesh group. There was no significant difference in the distribution of herniation time between the two groups (p = 0.43). The two main predictive factors of herniation were age and weight. In conclusion, the use of an intraperitoneal polyglactin mesh does not prevent postoperative incisional hernias in obese patients.

Liver abnormalities in severely obese subjects: effect of drastic weight loss after gastroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors associated with liver steatosis in severely obese subjects and to test the potential reversibility of fatty liver after weight loss. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SUBJECT: 528 obese patients before bariatric surgery and 69 obese subjects of the initial cohort evaluated before and 27+/-15 months after gastroplasty. MEASUREMENTS: Fatty deposition (scored as mild, moderate or severe) and inflammatory changes were evaluated in liver biopsies; clinical (body mass index (BMI), age, gender, duration of obesity) and biological (glucose, triglycerides, liver enzymes) parameters were related to histological findings. RESULTS: 74% of the 528 biopsies showed fatty change, estimated as mild in 41% of cases, moderate in 32% and severe in 27%. The prevalence of steatosis was significantly higher in men than in women (91% vs 70%, P = 0.001) and in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes compared with nondiabetics (89% vs 69% P = 0.001). The severity of the steatosis was associated with BMI (P = 0.002) but not with the duration of obesity or the age of the patient. When compared with patients without fatty change, those with liver steatosis had significantly higher fasting plasma glucose (5.5 mmol/l vs 5.1 mmol/l, P = 0.007) and triglycerides (1.8 mmol/l vs 1.3 mmol/l, P = 0.002). Mean serum liver enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gammaGT) were significantly (P < 0.001) increased in patients with fatty change but remained within laboratory reference values. In the 69 patients who have been evaluated after a marked weight reduction (-32+/-19kg), 45% of the biopsies were considered as normal (vs 13% before, P < 0.001) while pure fatty change was still observed in 38% of the patients (vs 83% before, P = 0.001). However, the severity of the steatosis was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced (mild: 62% vs 21%; moderate: 23% vs 37%; severe: 15% vs 42%). In addition, a significant increase of hepatitis was observed in 26% of the biopsies (vs 14% before, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Liver steatosis in obese subjects is associated with men, diabetic status, BMI, higher fasting glucose and hypertriglyceridaemia. Postgastroplasty weight loss reduces liver steatosis, but seems to increase the incidence of inflammatory lobular hepatitis.

Adult groin hernias: new insight into their biomechanical characteristics.

The biomechanical properties of the transversalis fascia and rectus abdominis aponeurosis were assessed in adult groin hernias, using a computerized-suction device (Cutometer) equipped with a 2-mm probe. Evaluations were made ex vivo on fresh samples collected from 63 patients with unilateral or bilateral hernias and 30 control subjects without hernias. Under 50 and 200 mbar suctions, there was no statistical difference between the overall mechanical properties of control and patient aponeuroses. For both 50 and 200 mbar suctions, the maximum distension (MD) and the biological elasticity (BE) of fasciae from direct hernias were significantly increased, compared with control fasciae. In the same comparison, the MD-50 and -200 and the BE-50 of patient fasciae from the non-herniated sides were also significantly increased. It is concluded that the presently reported biomechanical alterations seem to be the cause and not the consequence of the hernias. These data suggest that a functional connective tissue pathology probably plays a role in the genesis of groin hernias.

Effect of bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) nasal ventilation on the postoperative pulmonary restrictive syndrome in obese patients undergoing gastroplasty.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Upper abdominal surgery results in a postoperative restrictive pulmonary syndrome. Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP System; Respironics Inc; Murrysville, Pa), which combines pressure support ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure via a nasal mask, could allow alveolar recruitment during inspiration and prevent expiratory alveolar collapse, and therefore limit the postoperative pulmonary restrictive syndrome. This study investigated the effect of BiPAP on postoperative pulmonary function in obese patients after gastroplasty. DESIGN: Prospective controlled randomized study. SETTING: GI surgical ward in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three morbidly obese patients scheduled for gastroplasty were studied. INTERVENTION: The patients were assigned to one of three techniques of ventilatory support during the first 24 h postoperatively: O2 via a face mask, BiPAP System 8/4, with inspiratory and expiratory positive airway pressure set at 8 and 4 cm H2O, respectively, or BiPAP System 12/4 set at 12 and 4 cm H2O. Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]) were measured the day before surgery, 24 h after surgery, and on days 2 and 3. Oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2) was also recorded during room air breathing. RESULTS: Three patients were excluded. After surgery, FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and SpO2 significantly decreased in the three groups. On day 1, FVC and FEV1 were significantly improved in the group BiPAP System 12/4, as compared with no BiPAP; SpO2 was also significantly improved. After removal of BiPAP System 12/4, these benefits were maintained, allowing faster recovery of pulmonary function. No significant effects were observed on PEFR. BiPAP System 8/4 had no significant effect on the postoperative pulmonary restrictive syndrome. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of BiPAP System 12/4 during the first 24 h postoperatively significantly reduces pulmonary dysfunction after gastroplasty in obese patients and accelerates reestablishment of preoperative pulmonary function.

Use of a preperitoneal prosthesis for strangulated groin hernia.

BACKGROUND: Prostheses are widely used in the elective treatment of adult groin hernias. Their use for strangulated hernias remains controversial because of the potential risk of sepsis. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with a strangulated groin hernia were treated by insertion of a prosthetic mesh via a midline preperitoneal approach. Nine patients needed an intestinal resection for irreversible necrosis without peritonitis, and an appendicectomy was carried out in three others. RESULTS: There were two postoperative wound infections, neither in patients who had an intestinal resection. No mesh had to be removed. The recurrence rate was one of 35 after mean follow-up of 4.2 years. CONCLUSION: A strangulated groin hernia can be repaired safely with prosthetic mesh. When an intestinal resection is carried out with sufficient care to minimize infective complications, the use of mesh is not contraindicated.

Use of an absorbable polyglactin mesh for the prevention of incisional hernias.

Nowadays, incisional hernias are still one of the more common complications of abdominal surgical procedures. A population, at high risk of developing an incisional hernia, has been chosen for this study, namely patients suffering from morbid obesity. The aim of the study was to compare prospectively the incidence of incisional hernias in 2 groups of patients operated upon for morbid obesity (Vertical Silicone Ring Gastroplasty) with or without intraperitoneal polyglactin mesh. Patients were randomly assigned in the 2 groups. For this preliminary study, 112 patients operated upon before 01/04/1992 were selected; the mean follow-up period was 28.3 months (S.D.:5.7); 81 patients have been reviewed personally, 31 interviewed by phone call or mail. The 2 groups of patients were not significantly different as regarding age, sex, weight, body mass index, diabetes and wound infection. Sixteen incisional hernias were observed in the group with mesh and 17 in the group without mesh. According to these preliminary results, there is no argument for recommending the use of the polyglactin mesh in the prevention of postoperative incisional hernias, in obese patients.

A critical review of a personal series of 1000 gastroplasties.

INTRODUCTION: In a world suffering from famine, it is paradoxical to find in Belgium and in most Western countries a marked tendency to obesity. A recent study has revealed that one Belgian out of five is overweight. The literature has provided evidence that behaviour modification or dietary therapy do not result in long term weight loss for severe obese. As a result, more and more obese people are treated by surgery and we present here our personal experience of bariatric surgery during the last eight years. All the surgical procedures have been performed by a single surgeon as part of a multidisciplinary approach that also involves internists, dieticians, psychiatrists and basic scientists.

Postgastroplasty recovery of ideal body weight normalizes glucose and insulin metabolism in obese women.

To study the metabolic effects of normalizing body weight, a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test (0.3 g/kg) was performed before [body mass index (BMI), 37.7 +/- 0.5 kg/m2] and 14 +/- 2 months after successful gastroplasty (BMI, 23.7 +/- 0.6 kg/m2) in eight obese women and, for comparison, in eight age- and weight-matched nonobese control women (BMI, 23.6 +/- 0.7 kg/m2). All subjects had normal oral glucose tolerance. The insulin secretion rate (ISR) was derived by deconvolution of plasma C-peptide levels and the insulin MCR (MCRI) by dividing the 0-180 min area under the curve (AUC) of ISR by that of plasma insulin levels (IRI). The insulin sensitivity index (SI) and the glucose effectiveness index (SG) were calculated using Bergman's minimal model. Before gastroplasty, obese subjects showed higher AUC-IRI (P < 0.001) and AUC-ISR (P < 0.02), lower MCRI (P < 0.005) and SI (P < 0.002), but similar SG values, compared to nonobese controls. After gastroplasty, the AUC-IRI dramatically decreased, due to both a reduction of AUC-ISR (from 58,252 +/- 8,437 to 36,675 +/- 4,274 pmol; P < 0.05) and an increase in MCRI (from 658 +/- 117 to 1,299 +/- 127 mL/min.m-2; P < 0.02). SI significantly rose from 4.74 +/- 0.74 to 9.15 +/- 0.96 10(-5) min-1/pmol.L (P < 0.01), whereas SG remained unchanged. All of these parameters became similar to those in nonobese controls (respectively, 32,522 +/- 3,458, 1,180 +/- 101, and 8.48 +/- 1.25; all P = NS). In conclusion, after gastroplasty-induced normalization of body weight, postobese women recover normal insulin secretion, clearance, and action on glucose metabolism.