Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia Repair.

Many patients with hiatal hernias (HH) are asymptomatic; however, symptoms may include heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, nausea, or vague epigastric pain depending on the hernia type and severity. The ideal technique and timing of repair remains controversial. This report describes short-term outcomes and readmissions of patients undergoing HH repair at our institution. All patients who underwent HH repair from January 2012 through April 2017 were reviewed. Patients undergoing concomitant bariatric surgery were excluded. 239 patients were identified and 128 were included. Eighty-eight were female (69%) and 40 were male (31%) with a mean age of 59 years (range 20-91 years) and a mean BMI of 29.2 kg/m2 (17-42). Worsening GERD was the most common presenting symptom in 79 (61.7%) patients. Eighty-four laparoscopic cases (65.6%) and 44 robotic assisted (34.4%) procedures were performed. Mesh was used in 59 operations (3 polytetrafluoroethylene; 56 biologic). All hiatal hernia types (I-IV) were collected. Majority were initial operations (89%). Techniques included: Toupet fundoplication in 68 cases (63.0%), Nissen fundoplication in 36 (33.3%), Dor fundoplication in 4 (3.7%), concomitant Collis gastroplasty in 4 (3.1%), and primary suture repair in 20 (15.6%). Outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic procedures were compared. Length of stay was reported as median and interquartile range for laparoscopic and robotic: 1.0 day (1.0-3.0) and 2.0 days (1.0-2.5); p = 0.483. Thirty-day readmission occurred in 9 patients, 7 (8.3%) laparoscopic and 2 (4.6%) robotic; p = 0.718. Two 30-day reoperations occurred, both laparoscopic; p = 0.545. Total of 16 complications occurred; 18.6% had a complication with the use of mesh compared to 8.7% without the use of mesh, p = 0.063. There were no conversion to open modality and no mortalities were reported. Hiatal hernia repair can be performed safely with a low incidence of complications.

Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia Repair With Urinary Bladder Matrix Graft.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair can be performed with or without mesh reinforcement. The use, technique, and mesh type remain controversial because of mixed reports on mesh-related complications. Short-term outcomes have become important in all forms of surgery. METHODS: From January 2012 through April 2017, all patients who underwent isolated hiatal hernia repair in our center were reviewed. Concomitant bariatric surgery cases were excluded. Repairs reinforced by porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) graft were compared to non-UBM repairs. Statistical comparison was based on a Wilcoxon 2-sample test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: We reviewed 239 charts; 110 bariatric cases and 8 cases with non-UBM reinforcement were excluded. We identified 121 patients: 56 UBM-reinforced (46.3%) versus 65 non-UBM (53.7%). Sixteen (28.6%) UBM cases were male versus 23 (35.4%) non-UBM cases. The UBM patients were significantly older (63.9 versus 54.3; P = .001). There was no difference in mean BMI (29.6 vs 28.5; P = .28). Cases were performed laparoscopically (60.7% vs 67.7%; P = .45) or robotically (39.3% vs 32.3%; P = .45), with no conversions to open. The UBM group had a longer mean operative time (183 minutes vs 139 minutes; P = .001).There was no difference in median length of stay (2 days vs 2 days; P = .09) or 30-day readmission rate (7.1% vs 7.5%; P =.99). Postoperative complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and there was no difference (19.6% vs 9.2%; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: Hiatal hernia repair with UBM reinforcement can be performed safely with no increase in postoperative complications.

Optimal Cefazolin Prophylactic Dosing for Bariatric Surgery: No Need for Higher Doses or Intraoperative Redosing.

PURPOSE: The goal of this pharmacokinetic (PK) study was to evaluate whether a single 2-g prophylactic dose of cefazolin given (IV) bolus provides effective protective cefazolin levels for prophylaxis against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), the primary skin pathogen in bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients having gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy received cefazolin 2-g preoperative prophylaxis. Serum, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and deep peri-gastric adipose tissue specimens were collected at incision and before skin closure. Cefazolin concentrations in serum and adipose tissue were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Penetration of cefazolin, a water soluble antibiotic, into adipose tissue was only 6-8 % of simultaneous serum levels. However, cefazolin tissue concentrations in all adipose tissue specimens, exceeded mean MIC for MSSA. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic cefazolin, given as a single 2 g (IV bolus 3-5 min before skin incision) was more than adequate in providing protective cefazolin levels for the duration of bariatric surgery. Cefazolin 2 g (IV dose bolus given just before skin incision) achieves protective adipose tissue levels (> MIC of MSSA) for the duration (usually < 4 h) of bariatric surgical procedures. In this study, cefazolin 2 g (IV bolus) provided protective adipose tissue levels for 4.8 h. Since cefazolin is a water soluble antibiotic (V d = 0.2 L/Kg), penetration into adipose tissue is not V d not dose-dependent. Extremely high-dosed cefazolin, i.e., 3 or 4 g is excessive and unnecessary for bariatric surgery prophylaxis. A single cefazolin 2 g preoperative dose also eliminates the need for intraoperative redosing at 4 h.

Selective beneficial cardiometabolic effects of vertical sleeve gastrectomy are predominantly mediated through glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level was significantly increased post Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), an effect believed to contribute to its beneficial cardiometabolic effects. OBJECTIVE: To validate the beneficial GLP-1 mediated cardiometabolic effects post VSG using GLP-1 antagonist (exendin 9-39) in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into three (n = 5) groups: (i) sham, (ii) VSG, and (iii) VSG received exendin 9-39 (GLP-1 receptor antagonist). The study was performed over 12 weeks and parameters were measured 12 weeks post-surgery. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: As expected, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were improved post VSG due to enhanced GLP-1 secretion. However, both fasting glucose and insulin levels were impaired in the presence of GLP-1 antagonist. Baseline total cholesterol level pre-surgery was 100±1 mg/dl which remained unchanged in the VSG group but significantly increased to 140±8 mg/dl in the presence of antagonist. Interestingly, post-surgery there was a nearly 70% reduction in triglyceride level in the VSG group compared to sham which was overcome in the presence of antagonist. Myographic studies using aortic rings showed no significant change between groups. Additionally, blood pressure and heart rate also remained unchanged in all groups. Serum bile acid and L-PGDS levels increased post VSG but significantly decreased in the presence of antagonist, suggesting a strong association with GLP-1 and a novel mechanism of action. CONCLUSION: Enhanced GLP-1 secretion post VSG imparted beneficial cardiometabolic effects on blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, bile acids and L-PGDS levels which were abated in the presence of GLP-1 antagonist.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass attenuates the progression of cardiometabolic complications in obese diabetic rats via alteration in gastrointestinal hormones.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) ameliorates type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity through alteration in gastrointestinal (GI) hormones. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of RYGB on GI hormones and cardiometabolic parameters in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rodents. SETTING: Winthrop University Hospital, Research and Academic Center METHODS: Animals were divided into 3 groups, pair-fed (n = 4), ad lib (n = 4), and RYGB (n = 5). This study was carried out for 4 weeks and all related parameters were measured pre- and postsurgery in fasted obese diabetic Zucker rodents. RESULTS: Postoperatively, RYGB significantly decreased fasting blood glucose by 32% compared with ad lib. Plasma insulin and leptin levels were also found to be significantly decreased, by 66% and 38%, respectively, after surgery. Moreover, both glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) were significantly increased after RYGB-by 300% and 51%, respectively. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were also increased, but the increase was not statistically significant. Total cholesterol levels of the RYGB group remained unchanged for 4 weeks. However, total cholesterol in the ad lib and pair-fed groups increased by 25% and 34%, respectively, compared with initial levels. The cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio was decreased in the RYGB group by 14% and 30% compared with the ad lib and pair-fed group, respectively. The RYGB group had a significant decrease in aortic wall thickness of 25% compared with the ad lib and pair-fed groups. Similarly, the RYGB group had a 20-unit (mm Hg) decrease in systolic blood pressure compared with the presurgical value. CONCLUSION: RYGB has beneficial cardiometabolic effects through alterations in GI hormones in a severely obese and diabetic rodent model.

Algorithmic approach to utilization of CT scans for detection of internal hernia in the gastric bypass patient.

BACKGROUND: While surgical exploration remains the gold standard for diagnosing internal hernia (IH) after certain bariatric surgeries, decisions for operative intervention are often based on computed tomography (CT) findings. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review our institutional experience and create an algorithm to approach patients presenting with abdominal pain and/or emesis after certain bariatric procedures. SETTINGS: University Hospital METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of all patients presenting with obstruction symptoms after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) was performed at 2 institutions from 2008 to 2013. Patients without CT scans or with incidental hernia defect findings were excluded. CT and intraoperative findings were compared via univariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients who underwent an operation for a suspected IH were identified. Of the 50 patients, 25 (50%) had IH at operation. Twenty-nine patients (58%) had positive CT scans read for IH and/or obstruction. Of these 29, 19 (66%) were found to have IH at operation and 10 (34%) underwent negative diagnostic laparoscopy. Of the 21 patients with negative CT scans, 6 (29%) had IH at operation versus 15 (71%) who were negative. The sensitivity of CT scan to detect an internal hernia is 76% with 95% confidence interval (CI) [53% to 90%] and specificity is 60% with 95% CI [39% to 78%]. Sensitivity increased to 96% with 95% CI [78% to 99.8%] when combining CT scans with neutrophilia findings. CONCLUSION: Positive CT scans are sensitive for IH but not specific. CT scans will not detect IH in 1:4 patients; despite negative findings, surgical exploration should remain the gold standard for patients with acute abdominal pain after LRYGB or biliopancreatic diversion when IH is a consideration.