Six month outcomes in patients experiencing weight gain after gastric bypass who underwent gastrojejunal revision using an endoluminal suturing device.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass occurs in approximately 25 % of cases, and this may contribute to recurrence of comorbid conditions. Currently, adequate treatment strategies for this group of patients are limited. Endoscopic narrowing of the gastrojejunal anastomosis may result in a low-risk, minimally invasive treatment alternative compared to standard surgical revision. We assessed short-term outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic gastrojejunal revisions (EGJR) using an endoluminal suturing device. METHODS: We performed an institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of 25 consecutive patients who underwent EGJR. Patients preoperatively presented with a dilated gastrojejunal anastomosis of greater than 15 mm and weight gain. An endoluminal suturing device (Overstitch(TM), Apollo Endosurgery, Austin TX) was used to reduce the diameter of the anastomosis. Follow-up occurred at 2 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year RESULTS: Prior to EGJR, patients regained an average of 23.4 ± 13.2 kg from their weight loss nadir and had a mean body mass index of 42.2 ± 6.6 kg/m(2). At 6 weeks, 100 % of patients experienced weight loss (average 5.8 ± 4.4 kg; p < .001). At 3 months, 94 % had weight loss (average 7.0 ± 6.2 kg; p < .001). At 6 months, 91 % maintained weight loss (average 5.6 ± 6.2 kg; p = 0.013). Lastly, at 1 year following EGJR, 100 % of available cases maintained weight loss (average 7.5 ± 6.4 kg; p = 0.057). The average percent excess weight loss was 12.5, 15.4, 12.4, and 17.1 % at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. There was a negative time effect in the mixed effect model using both on-treatment and intent-to-treat analyses, illustrating a significant weight reduction over time. The average follow-up per patient was 146 days. There were no complications reported during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Six month follow-up for EGJR patients demonstrated a low-risk, minimally invasive treatment option to reverse weight gain subsequent to a failed gastric bypass. Procedures presented no complications and may provide an attractive alternative to standard surgical revision.

Laparoscopic ischemic conditioning of the stomach prior to esophagectomy.

Several complications after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up are associated with ischemia within the gastric conduit. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic ischemic preconditioning of the stomach prior to thoracotomy, esophagectomy, and gastric pull-up with an intrathoracic anastomosis. A retrospective review of 24 consecutive patients between October 2008 and July 2011 with esophageal adenocarcinoma (stage I-III) undergoing laparoscopic gastric ischemic conditioning prior to esophagectomy was conducted. Conditioning included laparoscopic ligation of the left and short gastric arteries, celiac node dissection, and jejunostomy tube placement. Formal resection and reconstruction was then performed 4-10 days later. Of the 24 patients, 88% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiation therapy. Twenty-three of the 24 patients underwent successful laparoscopic ischemic conditioning and subsequent esophagectomy. Total mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 21.8 (±8.0), and a mean of 5.3 (±2.4) celiac lymph nodes identified. There were no conversions to an open procedure. Length of stay was 3.8 (±4.8) days with a median length of stay of 2 (1-24) days. Three patients experienced anastomotic leak, six patients experience delayed gastric emptying, and two patients developed anastomotic stricture. There were no surgical site infections. R0 resection was achieved in all patients who underwent laparoscopic ischemic conditioning followed by esophagectomy. Laparoscopic ischemic conditioning of the gastric conduit has been shown to be feasible and safe.

Trends in adolescent psychiatric hospitalization.

This article explores the recent increase in adolescent psychiatric inpatient admissions. Factors fueling the tendency to hospitalize are discussed, and the concept of medicalization of adolescent behavior problems is related to this trend. Reflecting the medicalization concept, several questions and hypotheses regarding parental decision-making as it is related to adolescent hospitalization are presented. Through further investigation, a better understanding of the factors influencing or determining need for adolescent psychiatric hospitalization can be gained.