Patient and operative factors influence delayed discharge following bariatric surgery in an enhanced recovery setting.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been widely adopted in bariatric surgery. However, not all patients are successfully managed in the ERAS setting and there is currently little way of predicting the patients who will deviate from the program. Early identification of these patients could allow for more tailored protocols to be implemented preoperatively to address the issues, thereby improving patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors which preclude discharge by comparing patients who were successfully discharged by the end of the first postoperative day (POD 0/1) to those who stayed longer, including revisional surgery in this analysis. SETTING: A tertiary, high-volume Bariatric Centre, United Kingdom. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients undergoing bariatric surgery in a single centre in 1 year. Multivariate analyses compared patient and operative variables between patients who were discharged on POD 0/1 and those who stayed longer. RESULTS: A total of 288 bariatric operations were performed: 78% of operations performed were laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; 22% laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Of these cases, 13% were revisional operations. Four patients returned to theatre on the index admission. 81% of patients were discharged by POD 0/1. A re-presentation within 30 days was seen in 6% of patients. There was no significant difference in length of stay for the type of operation performed (P = .86). Patients who had a revisional procedure were not more likely to stay longer. Length of stay was also independent of age, BMI, and comorbidities. Caucasian patients were more likely to be discharged on POD 0/1 than those of other ethnicities (90% versus 78%; P = .02). Operations performed by trainee surgeons, under consultant supervision, were significantly more likely to be discharged on POD 0/1 (P = .03). However, a logistic regression analysis was unable to predict patients who had a prolonged stay. CONCLUSIONS: Patient length of stay is independent of BMI, operation, and comorbidities and these factors do not need special consideration in ERAS pathways. Patients undergoing revisional procedures can be managed in the same way as those having primary procedures, with a routine POD 0/1 discharge. However, the impact of individual patient factors, and their interaction, is complex and cannot predict overstay.

Assessment of obesity.

Obesity is a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease, characterised by the presence of abnormal or excess adiposity that impairs health and social wellbeing. It is associated with obesity-related disease complications, health inequalities and premature death. Clinical evaluation of obesity requires a thorough history and examination. Assessment should focus not only on anthropometric measurements, but also on the mental, metabolic, mechanical and monetary impact of adiposity, including multiple health conditions. Increased awareness and knowledge will help reduce weight stigma and biases. A focused non-judgemental assessment will help guide further investigations, timely referral and management.

Managing obesity in people with type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with the prevalence of both increasing worldwide. This trend is associated with increasing mortality, cardiovascular risk and healthcare costs. An individual's weight will be determined by complex physiological, psychological and societal factors. Assessment by a skilled multidisciplinary team will help identify these factors and will also support screening for secondary causes, assessing cardiovascular risk and identifying sequelae of obesity.A range of treatment options are available for people with obesity and T2DM, including low-calorie diets, medications and bariatric surgery. People should be carefully counselled and personalised care plans developed. Bariatric surgery is an under-utilised resource in this context.Obesity should also be considered when choosing medical therapy for T2DM. Common diabetes medications may lead to weight gain whereas others (such as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors) support weight loss.Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related complications and all-cause mortality. Diabetes remission is possible after surgery and is recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in individuals with a body mass index of >35 kg/m2 and recent onset T2DM.

Bariatric surgery in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus and type 2 diabetes: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery have not been fully elucidated in patients affected with human immunodeficiency virus. Although adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy are starting to be used in patients with human immunodeficiency virus, there are limited descriptions of the outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals who are human immunodeficiency virus positive and undergoing these procedures. CASE PRESENTATION: We have evaluated retrospectively three patients who underwent adjustable gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy, the effect in weight reduction and glycemic control as well as its impact on human immunodeficiency virus management. Case 1 (adjustable gastric banding), a 58-year-old Caucasian male, achieved 19% total weight loss, Case 2, a 33-year-old Caucasian male (sleeve gastrectomy) lost 25%, and Case 3, a 48-year-old Caucasian female (sleeve gastrectomy), lost 14% postoperation. In terms of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Case 2 achieved complete remission according to American Diabetes Association criteria, while Case 1 would also have achieved remission were it not for the continuation of metformin postoperatively. Insulin requirements and pill burden were markedly reduced in Case 3 after sleeve gastrectomy, although lack of remission was predictable given the longevity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and preoperative insulin dosage. In all three cases, human immunodeficiency virus status did not appear to be affected by the bariatric surgery which was supported by the postoperative stable CD4 count and undetectable viral load. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment modality in patients who are human immunodeficiency virus positive with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Challenges of Conducting Research on the Acute Medical Unit.

Conducting research on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) poses unique challenges; the environment is one that sees a diverse range of patient groups and pathologies and holds the potential for easy patient recruitment to research studies, however is geared towards a specific set of triage and discharge goals. We conducted a study into Stress Hyperglycaemia (SH) on a busy AMU, which involved profiling glycaemic changes using specialist equipment and interventions in patients with unscheduled medical admissions, and experienced a number of challenges. This article discusses these challenges and proposes potential solutions. Conducting research on a busy AMU was complicated by factors including rapid patient and staff turnover, the differing goals of the AMU system and suboptimal staff engagement in labour intensive research. We endeavored to follow patients up in further visits after discharge but found they lacked engagement after the resolution of the acute illness requiring initial admission. In this article, we discuss these issues in more detail and suggest approaches for future AMU researchers.