Religious Fasting of Muslim Patients After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Modified Delphi Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith. Despite the positive effects of fasting on health, there are no guidelines or clear recommendations regarding fasting after metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). The current study reports the result of a modified Delphi consensus among expert metabolic/bariatric surgeons with experience in managing patients who fast after MBS. METHODS: A committee of 61 well-known metabolic and bariatric surgeons from 24 countries was created to participate in the Delphi consensus. The committee voted on 45 statements regarding recommendations and controversies around fasting after MBS. An agreement/disagreement ≥ of 70.0% was regarded as consensus. RESULTS: The experts reached a consensus on 40 out of 45 statements after two rounds of voting. One hundred percent of the experts believed that fasting needs special nutritional support in patients who underwent MBS. The decision regarding fasting must be coordinated among the surgeon, the nutritionist and the patient. At any time after MBS, 96.7% advised stopping fasting in the presence of persistent symptoms of intolerance. Seventy percent of the experts recommended delaying fasting after MBS for 6 to 12 months after combined and malabsorptive procedures according to the patient's situation and surgeon's experience, and 90.1% felt that proton pump inhibitors should be continued in patients who start fasting less than 6 months after MBS. There was consensus that fasting may help in weight loss, improvement/remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus among 88.5%, 90.2%, 88.5%, 85.2% and 85.2% of experts, respectively. CONCLUSION: Experts voted and reached a consensus on 40 statements covering various aspects of fasting after MBS.

Delivery of digestive surgery services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Indonesian Society of Digestive Surgeons online survey.

INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, digestive surgery potentially exposes both health-care professionals and vulnerable patients to COVID-19. A survey was conducted with aim to determine the digestive surgery services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, optimize safety for patients and clinicians, and safeguard health-care services. METHODS: An online survey was conceived and circulated to members of the Indonesian Society of Digestive Surgeons. The survey was conducted in two phases, in April 2020 and July 2020, to evaluate changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Early in the pandemic (April 2020), the median number of major digestive surgeries performed monthly declined from 20 cases (range. 3-100 cases) to 1 case (range. 0-10 cases) (P < .001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Most of the cases in April 2020 addressed emergency problems, but more definitive surgeries were performed during the later period of the survey. The importance of screening for COVID-19 with polymerase chain reaction has increased over time, and a more comprehensive screening methodology incorporating real-time polymerase chain reaction, chest CT, and rapid antibody test were evident in 31.37% of July 2020 responses. CONCLUSION: Our survey has shown that surgeons adapted to the evolving pandemic and continue to do so only with appropriate safety assurances.

Emergency laparoscopic splenectomy for torsion of wandering spleen in a geriatric patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Wandering spleen (WS) is an uncommon congenital or acquired condition where the spleen is displaced from its normal position at the left hypochondrium to anywhere within the abdominal or pelvic cavity. The incidence is extremely rare in the geriatric population. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a rare case of WS torsion in a 69-year-old elderly patient who presented with an acute abdomen. Physical examination revealed a tender right lower quadrant abdominal mass. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of WS torsion with features of infarction. Subsequently, an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. DISCUSSION: A WS occurs due to the hypermobility of the spleen secondary to the absence or laxity of splenic suspensory ligaments. It is more commonly seen in children and adults in the third decade of life. Symptoms are usually attributed to the consequences of splenic vascular pedicle torsion. Exhibited symptoms might be unspecific; thus, radiological modalities are essential to determine the diagnosis and aid in planning its management. The treatment of choice is either open or laparoscopic splenopexy or splenectomy. CONCLUSION: Due to potentially life-threatening consequences and the rarity of such cases, a thorough history, detailed physical examination, and objective investigation are the pillars to attain a prompt diagnosis for appropriate management to be conducted as soon as possible to minimise complications.