Does the addition of glutamine to total parenteral nutrition have beneficial effect on the healing of colon anastomosis and bacterial translocation after preoperative radiotherapy?

Glutamine administration stimulates mucosal growth and preserves the morphology of the intestine. Theoretically, it could improve colonic anastomotic healing after radiotherapy (RT)-induced epithelial damage and mucosal atrophy induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). To investigate this issue, the rectosigmoid colon in male Wistar rats was irradiated to a total dose of 25 Gy. Five days after the end of RT, side-to-side anastomosis was constructed between the irradiated rectosigmoid and the nonirradiated caecum. Postoperatively, animals were divided in three groups: group I, normal diet orally; group II, TPN; group III, TPN enriched with 2% glutamine (Gln-TPN). All animals decreased in weight during RT and after surgery. Weight regain postoperatively was better in the orally fed animals in comparison with the parenterally fed animals (I vs. II and III; p < 0.01). Colonic anastomotic bursting pressure (BP) and bursting wall tension (BWT) were significantly less in group II in comparison with groups I and III (II vs. I and III; p < 0.01). BP and BWT were comparable in groups I and III. No significant differences were found between all the groups in gut bacterial translocation to the blood or to the mesenterical lymph nodes. Conclusively, Gln-TPN can play a role in counteracting the negative effect of food deprivation on the healing of irradiated colonic anastomoses. Postoperative Gln-TPN does not influence gut bacterial translocation in this rat model.

Surgical treatment of severe obesity with a low-pressure adjustable gastric band: experimental data and clinical results in 625 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a low-pressure gastric band in the treatment of severe obesity in a prospective study. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Gastric banding for severe obesity has been associated with erosion and perforation of the stomach. The Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB) has been proposed as a low-pressure device. METHODS: From January 1998 to October 2001, 625 patients underwent laparoscopic SAGB. Median age was 36 years, and 80.4% of patients were female. Median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 40. Previous upper abdominal surgery was reported in 36 (6%) patients. A five-trocar technique was used without a calibration balloon. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 19.5 months. All patients were treated laparoscopically with a median operating time of 80 minutes. Conversion was necessary in two patients (0.3%): one trocar injury of the mesentery and one esophageal perforation. Median hospital stay was 3 days; there were no 30-day deaths. Early morbidity was present in 27 patients (4.3%). Late band reoperation was necessary in 49 patients (7.8%). Indications for reoperation were band slippage or pouch dilation, acute total dysphagia, and band leakage or malfunction. Median excess weight loss was 45.8%, 49.9%, and 47.4% after 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, with a measurable beneficial effect on arterial hypertension, sleep apnea syndrome, and diabetes control. CONCLUSIONS: SAGB is a safe and effective new method in the management of severe obesity. Long-term follow-up (>3 years) is necessary to confirm its effectiveness and safety.