Thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: extended chemoprophylaxis may decrease portal vein thrombosis rate.

BACKGROUND: Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) may occur after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Previous studies have shown that PMVT patients may have undiagnosed thrombophilia. We recently changed our practice to check thrombophilia panel in every LSG patient preoperatively. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking LSG, and determine if extended chemoprophylaxis post LSG reduces PMVT. SETTINGS: University hospital. METHODS: Thrombophilia panels were drawn on every patient seeking LSG after July 2018 at 2 high-volume accredited bariatric surgery centers. A positive panel included factor VIII >150%; protein C <70%; protein S <55%; antithrombin III <83%; and activated protein C resistance <2.13. Patients with a positive panel were discharged on extended chemoprophylaxis. PMVT rates and bleeding occurrences were recorded for LSG patients from August 2018 to March 2019 and were compared with a historic cohort of LSG performed from January 2014 to July 2018. RESULTS: One thousand seventy-five patients seeking LSG had thrombophilia panel checked preoperatively. The cohort was 83% female; mean age and body mass index were 39.2 years and 43 kg/m2, respectively. Of the cohort, 52.4% (563/1075) had positive thrombophilia panel, including factor VIII elevation (91.5%), antithrombin III deficiency (6.0%), protein S deficiency (1.1%), protein C deficiency (.9%), and activated protein C resistance (.5%). Between January 2014 and July 2018, 13 PMVT were diagnosed among 4228 LSG (.3%) and there were 17 bleeding occurrences (.4%). After August 2018, one PMVT was diagnosed among 745 LSG (.1%) and there were 5 bleeding occurrences (.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The estimated thrombophilia prevalence in patients seeking LSG is 52.4%. The majority (91.5%) of these patients have factor VIII elevation. Extended prophylaxis may decrease PMVT postLSG.

Long-term outcomes comparing metabolic surgery to no surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index 30-35.

BACKGROUND: We previously conducted a randomized study comparing metabolic surgery with medical weight management in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and body mass index (BMI) 30 to 35 kg/m2. At 3-year follow-up, surgery was very effective in T2D remission; furthermore, in the surgical group, those with a higher baseline soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products had a lower postoperative BMI. OBJECTIVES: To provide long-term follow-up of this initial patient cohort. SETTING: University Hospital. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed of the initial patient cohort. Patients lost to follow-up were systematically contacted to return to clinic for a follow-up visit. Data were compared using 2-sample t test, Fisher's exact test, or analysis of variance when applicable. RESULTS: Originally, 57 patients with T2D and BMI 30 to 35 kg/m2 were randomized to metabolic surgery (n = 29) or medical weight management (n = 28). Ten patients in the medical weight management group crossed over to surgery. Five-year follow-up data were available in 43 of 57 (75%) patients. Baseline mean BMI and glycated hemoglobin were 32.6 kg/m2 and 7.8%, respectively. Median follow-up was 79 and 88 months in the surgical group and nonsurgical group, respectively. Compared with the nonsurgical group, the surgical patients had significantly lower rate of T2D (62% versus 100%; P = .008), lower insulin use (10% versus 50%; P = .0072), lower glycated hemoglobin (6.93% versus 8.26%; P = .012), lower BMI (25.8 versus 28.6 kg/m2; P = .007), and higher percent weight loss (21.4% versus 10.3%; P = .025). Baseline soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products was not associated with long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic surgery in T2D patients with BMI 30 to 35 kg/m2 remains effective long term. Baseline soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products are most likely predictive of early outcomes only.

Three-year follow-up comparing metabolic surgery versus medical weight management in patients with type 2 diabetes and BMI 30-35. The role of sRAGE biomarker as predictor of satisfactory outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and body mass index (BMI)<35 may benefit from metabolic surgery. The soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) may identify patients at greater chance for T2D remission. OBJECTIVES: To study long-term outcomes of patients with T2D and BMI 30-35 treated with metabolic surgery or medical weight management (MWM) and search for predictors of T2D remission. SETTING: University METHODS: Retrospective review of the original cohort, including patients who crossed over from MWM to surgery. Repeated-measures linear models were used to model weight loss (%WL), change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and association with baseline sRAGE. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with T2D and BMI 30-35 were originally randomly assigned to metabolic surgery versus MWM. Mean BMI and HbA1C was 32.6% and 7.8%, respectively. A total of 30 patients underwent surgery (19 sleeves, 8 bypasses, 3 bands). Three-year follow-up in the surgery group and MWM group was 75% and 86%, respectively. Surgery resulted in higher T2D remission (63% versus 0%; P<.001) and lower HbA1C (6.9% versus 8.4%; P<.001) for up to 3 years. There was no difference in %WL in those with versus those without T2D remission (21.7% versus 20.6%, P = .771), suggesting that additional mechanisms other than %WL play an important role for the studied outcome. Higher baseline sRAGE was associated with greater change in HbA1C and greater %WL after surgery (P< .001). CONCLUSION: Metabolic surgery was effective in promoting remission of T2D in 63% of patients with BMI 30-35; higher baseline sRAGE predicted T2D remission with surgery. Larger-scale randomly assigned trials are needed in this patient population.

The utility of radiological upper gastrointestinal series and clinical indicators in detecting leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) often presents after hospital discharge, making timely diagnosis difficult. This study evaluates the utility of radiological upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series and clinical indicators in detecting leak after LSG. METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled study of 1762 patients who underwent LSG from 2006 to 2014 was performed. All patients with radiographically confirmed leaks were included. Controls consisted of patients who underwent LSG without leak, selected using a 10:1 case-match. Data included baseline patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, and UGI series results. Clinical indicators including vital signs, SIRS criteria, and pain score were compared between patients who developed leak and controls. RESULTS: Of 1762 LSG operations, 20 (1.1 %) patients developed leaks and were compared with 200 case-matched controls. Three patients developed leak during their index admission [mean = 1.3 days, range (1, 2)], while the majority (n = 17) were discharged and developed symptoms at a mean of 17.1 days [range (4, 63)] postoperatively. Patients diagnosed with leak were similar to controls in baseline and surgical characteristics. Contrast extravasation on routine postoperative UGI identified two patients with early leaks, but was negative in the remainder (89 %). Patients with both early and delayed leaks demonstrated significant clinical abnormalities at the time of leak presentation, prior to confirmatory radiographic study. In multiple regression analysis, independent clinical factors associated with leak included fever [OR 16.6, 95 % CI (4.04, 68.10), p < 0.0001], SIRS criteria [OR 7.0, 95 % CI (1.47, 33.26), p = 0.014], and pain score ≥9 [OR 19.1, 95 % CI (1.38, 263.87), p = 0.028]. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast extravasation on routine postoperative radiological UGI series may detect early leaks after LSG, but the vast majority of leaks demonstrate normal results and present 2-3 weeks after discharge. Therefore, clinical indicators (specifically fever, SIRS criteria, and pain score) are the most useful factors to raise concern for leaks prior to confirmatory radiographic study and may be used as criteria to selectively obtain UGI studies after LSG.

Facilitated long chain fatty acid uptake by adipocytes remains upregulated relative to BMI for more than a year after major bariatric surgical weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether changes in adipocyte long chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake kinetics explain the weight regain increasingly observed following bariatric surgery. METHODS: Three groups (10 patients each) were studied: patients without obesity (NO: BMI 24.2 ± 2.3 kg m(-2) ); patients with obesity (O: BMI 49.8 ± 11.9); and patients classified as super-obese (SO: BMI 62.6 ± 2.8). NO patients underwent omental and subcutaneous fat biopsies during clinically indicated abdominal surgeries; O were biopsied during bariatric surgery, and SO during both a sleeve gastrectomy and at another bariatric operation 16 ± 2 months later, after losing 113 ± 13 lbs. Adipocyte sizes and [(3) H]-LCFA uptake kinetics were determined in all biopsies. RESULTS: Vmax for facilitated LCFA uptake by omental adipocytes increased exponentially from 5.1 ± 0.95 to 21.3 ± 3.20 to 68.7 ± 9.45 pmol/sec/50,000 cells in NO, O, and SO patients, respectively, correlating with BMI (r = 0.99, P < 0.001). Subcutaneous results were virtually identical. By the second operation, the mean BMI (SO patients) fell significantly (P < 0.01) to 44.4 ± 2.4 kg m(-2) , similar to the O group. However, Vmax (40.6 ± 11.5) in this weight-reduced group remained ~2X that predicted from the BMI:Vmax regression among NO, O, and SO patients. CONCLUSIONS: Facilitated adipocyte LCFA uptake remains significantly upregulated ≥1 year after bariatric surgery, possibly contributing to weight regain.

Thirty-Day Readmission After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy­a Predictable Event?

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day readmission post-bariatric surgery is used as a metric for surgical quality and patient care. We sought to examine factors driving 30-day readmissions after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: We reviewed 1257 LSG performed between March 2012 and June 2014. Readmitted and nonreadmitted patients were compared in their demographics, medical histories, and index hospitalizations. Multivariable regression was used to identify risk factors for readmission. RESULTS: Forty-five (3.6 %) patients required 30-day readmissions. Forty-seven percent were readmitted with malaise (emesis, dehydration, abdominal pain) and 42 % with technical complications (leak, bleed, mesenteric vein thrombosis). Factors independently associated with 30-day readmission include index admission length of stay (LOS) ≥3 days (OR 2.54, CI = [1.19, 5.40]), intraoperative drain placement (OR 3.11, CI = [1.58, 6.13]), postoperative complications (OR 8.21, CI = [2.33, 28.97]), and pain at discharge (OR 8.49, CI = [2.37, 30.44]). Patients requiring 30-day readmissions were 72 times more likely to have additional readmissions by 6 months (OR 72.4, CI = [15.8, 330.5]). CONCLUSIONS: The 30-day readmission rate after LSG is 3.6 %, with near equal contributions from malaise and technical complications. LOS, postoperative complications, drain placement, and pain score can aid in identifying patients at increased risk for 30-day readmissions. Patients should be educated on postoperative hydration and pain management, so readmissions can be limited to technical complications requiring acute inpatient management.

Intraoperative leak testing has no correlation with leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Staple line leak is a serious complication of sleeve gastrectomy. Intraoperative methylene blue and air leak tests are routinely used to evaluate for leak; however, the utility of these tests is controversial. We hypothesize that the practice of routine intraoperative leak testing is unnecessary during sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed using a prospectively collected database of seven bariatric surgeons from two institutions. All patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy from March 2012 to November 2014 were included. The performance of intraoperative leak testing and the type of test (air or methylene blue) were based on surgeon preference. Data obtained included BMI, demographics, comorbidity, presence of intraoperative leak test, result of test, and type of test. The primary outcome was leak rate between the leak test (LT) and no leak test (NLT) groups. SAS version 9.4 was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1550 sleeve gastrectomies were included; most were laparoscopic (99.8%), except for one converted and two open cases. Routine intraoperative leak tests were performed in 1329 (85.7%) cases, while 221 (14.3%) did not have LTs. Of the 1329 cases with LTs, there were no positive intraoperative results. Fifteen (1%) patients developed leaks, with no difference in leak rate between the LT and NLT groups (1 vs. 1%, p = 0.999). After adjusting for baseline differences between the groups with a propensity analysis, the observed lack of association between leak and intraoperative leak test remained. In this cohort, leaks presented at a mean of 17.3 days postoperatively (range 1-67 days). Two patients with staple line leaks underwent repeat intraoperative leak testing at leak presentation, and the tests remained negative. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative leak testing has no correlation with leak due to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and is not predictive of the later development of staple line leak.

Randomized pilot trial of bariatric surgery versus intensive medical weight management on diabetes remission in type 2 diabetic patients who do NOT meet NIH criteria for surgery and the role of soluble RAGE as a novel biomarker of success.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bariatric surgery versus intensive medical weight management (MWM) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who do not meet current National Institutes of Health criteria for bariatric surgery and to assess whether the soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is a biomarker to identify patients most likely to benefit from surgery. BACKGROUND: There are few studies comparing surgery to MWM for patients with T2DM and BMI less than 35. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with T2DM and BMI 30 to 35, who otherwise met the criteria for bariatric surgery were randomized to MWM versus surgery (bypass, sleeve or band, based on patient preference). The primary outcomes assessed at 6 months were change in homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and diabetes remission. Secondary outcomes included changes in HbA1c, weight, and sRAGE. RESULTS: The surgery group had improved HOMA-IR (-4.6 vs +1.6; P = 0.0004) and higher diabetes remission (65% vs 0%, P < 0.0001) than the MWM group at 6 months. Compared to MWM, the surgery group had lower HbA1c (6.2 vs 7.8, P = 0.002), lower fasting glucose (99.5 vs 157; P = 0.0068), and fewer T2DM medication requirements (20% vs 88%; P < 0.0001) at 6 months. The surgery group lost more weight (7. vs 1.0 BMI decrease, P < 0.0001). Higher baseline sRAGE was associated with better weight loss outcomes (r = -0.641; P = 0.046). There were no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery was very effective short-term in patients with T2DM and BMI 30 to 35. Baseline sRAGE may predict patients most likely to benefit from surgery. These findings need to be confirmed with larger studies.ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01423877.

Surgical strategies that may decrease leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9991 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to identify surgical strategies that may decrease leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). BACKGROUND: LSG is growing in popularity as a primary bariatric procedure. Technical aspects of LSG including bougie size remain controversial. METHODS: Our systematic review yielded 112 studies encompassing 9991 LSG patients. A general estimating equation (GEE) model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for leak based on bougie size, distance from the pylorus, and use of buttressing on the staple line. Baseline characteristics, including age and body mass index (BMI), were included. A linear repeated measures regression model compared excess weight loss (%EWL) between bougie sizes. RESULTS: A total of 198 leaks in 8922 patients (2.2%) were identified. The GEE model revealed that the risk of leak decreased with bougie ≥40 Fr (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = [0.37-0.77]; P = 0.0009). Buttressing did not impact leak. There was no difference in %EWL between bougie <40 Fr and bougie ≥40 Fr up to 36 months (mean: 70.1% EWL; P = 0.273). Distance from the pylorus did not affect leak or %EWL. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing bougie ≥40 Fr may decrease leak without impacting %EWL up to 3 years. Distance from the pylorus does not impact leak or weight loss. Buttressing does not seem to impact leak; however, if surgeons desire to buttress, bioabsorbable material is the most common type used. Longer-term studies are needed to definitively determine the effect of bougie size on weight loss after LSG.