Routine Postoperative Monitoring after Bariatric Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: ICU Admission is not Necessary.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in 70-80% of bariatric surgery patients. Patients with severe OSA (apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) >30/h) are postoperatively admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for continuous monitoring, to prevent complications. The aim of this study was to assess the necessity of routine postoperative monitoring at an ICU of severe OSA patients after bariatric surgery, attempting to prevent and detect cardiorespiratory complications. METHODS: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery from November 2010 to July 2013 were entered into a database. Minimal follow-up was 1 month. Poly(somno)graphy (P(S)G) was routinely performed. Patients with severe OSA were admitted to the ICU for the first postoperative night. Oxygen saturation was continuously measured. The database was reviewed regarding patient characteristics, CPAP use, re-intubations, desaturations (saturation <90% and severe <85%), and complications. RESULTS: Severe OSA was present in 151 of the 794 patients, and all 151 were admitted to the ICU. Thirty who underwent revisional surgery were excluded. Forty-seven percent was male, median age was 51 years (27.0-68.0), and median body mass index (BMI) was 46.6 (kg/m(2)) (34.0-77.6). No deaths, re-intubations, or cardiopulmonary complications occurred. Eighty-two (67.8%) patients used continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Twenty-one (17.4%) patients experienced desaturations with a median of 2.0 (1-8). Six patients (5.0%) had one episode of severe desaturation. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe OSA and adequate CPAP use are at low risk of cardiopulmonary complications after (laparoscopic) bariatric surgery. Routine admission to an ICU might be superfluous. However, continuous digital oximetry remains essential.

Development of ulcer disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, incidence, risk factors, and patient presentation: a systematic review.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the gold standard in bariatric surgery. A long-term complication can be marginal ulceration (MU) at the gastrojejunostomy. The mechanism of development is unclear and symptoms vary. Management and prevention is a continuous subject of debate. The aim was to assess the incidence, mechanism, symptoms, and management of MU after LRYGB by means of a systematic review. Forty-one studies with a total of 16,987 patients were included, 787 (4.6%) developed MU. The incidence of MU varied between 0.6 and 25%. The position and size of the pouch, smoking, and nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs usage are associated with the formation of MU. In most cases, MU is adequately treated with proton pump inhibitors, sometimes reoperation is required. Laparoscopic approach is safe and effective.