Defining Global Benchmarks in Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis of Minimally Invasive Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To define "best possible" outcomes for bariatric surgery (BS)(Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] and sleeve gastrectomy [SG]). BACKGROUND: Reference values for optimal surgical outcomes in well-defined low-risk bariatric patients have not been established so far. Consequently, outcome comparison across centers and over time is impeded by heterogeneity in case-mix. METHODS: Out of 39,424 elective BS performed in 19 high-volume academic centers from 3 continents between June 2012 and May 2017, we identified 4120 RYGB and 1457 SG low-risk cases defined by absence of previous abdominal surgery, concomitant procedures, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, cardiopathy, renal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, anticoagulation, BMI>50 kg/m and age>65 years. We chose clinically relevant endpoints covering the intra- and postoperative course. Complications were graded by severity using the comprehensive complication index. Benchmark values were defined as the 75th percentile of the participating centers' median values for respective quality indicators. RESULTS: Patients were mainly females (78%), aged 38±11 years, with a baseline BMI 40.8 ±â€Š5.8 kg/m. Over 90 days, 7.2% of RYGB and 6.2% of SG patients presented at least 1 complication and no patients died (mortality in nonbenchmark cases: 0.06%). The most frequent reasons for readmission after 90-days following both procedures were symptomatic cholelithiasis and abdominal pain of unknown origin. Benchmark values for both RYGB and SG at 90-days postoperatively were 5.5% Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa complication rate, 5.5% readmission rate, and comprehensive complication index ≤33.73 in the subgroup of patients presenting at least 1 grade ≥II complication. CONCLUSION: Benchmark cutoffs targeting perioperative outcomes in BS offer a new tool in surgical quality-metrics and may be implemented in quality-improvement cycle.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03440138.

Laparoscopic greater curvature plication: initial results of an alternative restrictive bariatric procedure.

BACKGROUND: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is a surgical technique that involves resection of a significant portion of the stomach. This surgery is sometimes associated with gastric leaks, which can be difficult to treat. The present study reports findings from laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP), which is an alternative bariatric procedure similar to VSG but without the need for gastric resection. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out, following LGCP in 42 morbidly obese patients (30 female/12 male) with a mean age of 33.5 years (23 to 48) and mean BMI of 41 kg/m(2) (35 to 46). Through a five-port approach, the stomach was reduced by dissecting the greater omentum and short gastric vessels, as in VSG, and the greater curvature was then invaginated using multiple rows of non-absorbable suture performed over a 32-Fr bougie to ensure a patent lumen. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Mean operative time was 50 min (40 to 100 min) and mean hospital stay was 36 h (24 to 96). Patients returned to their regular activities at an average of 7 days (4 to 13) following surgery. No intra-operative complications occurred. All patients experienced excess weight loss (EWL) of at least 20% after 1 month. Mean EWL was 62% (45% to 77%) in nine patients after 18 months. There has been no record of weight regain in any patient to date. CONCLUSIONS: LGCP is feasible, safe, and effective for at least 18 months when performed on morbidly obese patients. Longer follow-up and prospective comparative trials are needed.

Laparoscopic duodenal-jejunal exclusion in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with BMI<30 kg/m2 (LBMI).

BACKGROUND: The association between medical and dietetic-behavioral treatments of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has demonstrated to have variable results. The surgical treatment of T2DM is justifiable after the observation of a successful glycemic control in patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion. Experiments have shown an important role of the proximal intestine in glycemia decrease and diabetes control. METHODS: Twenty diabetic patients underwent laparoscopic duodenal-jejunal exclusion. The variables studied were body mass index (BMI), fasting glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and C-peptide, in the preoperative period and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: There was a BMI decrease up to the third month and a weight stabilization between the third and sixth months. There was a significant reduction in fasting glycemia (43.8%) and HbA1c (22.8%) up to the sixth month (p<0.001). C-peptide did not show any significant alteration until the third month, although there was a considerable increase (25%) between the third and the sixth months (p<0.001). Only two patients were on oral medication after the sixth month. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results have shown an important effect of the laparoscopic duodenal-jejunal exclusion in the treatment of T2DM. Studies with longer follow-up and a larger number of patients are necessary to better define the role of this new and promising procedure.

Staplerless laparoscopic gastric bypass: a new option in bariatric surgery.

The staplerless Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is a new option in bariatric surgery. The first to describe it was Himpens (2004) utilizing the LigaSure Atlas (LSA) in a series of 10 patients. The laparoscopic RYGBP is performed utilizing the LSA for the gastric and jejunal partition; after that, an imbricating running suture is performed to ensure stomach and bowel hermetic closure. All anastomoses are hand-sewn. Technical disadvantages are: learning curve; complications related to suture failure; possible thermal/electricity related injuries; longer operating time. Advantages are: stapler-associated bleeding, leaks, staple-line disruption, and fistulas are avoided; cost reduction. The staplerless RYGBP is complex; the surgeon involved requires expertise and ability. This technique will evolve and will be used by more surgeons. It is a new option for the surgeon preoccupied with costs, which is particularly important in developing countries.