Development and Validation of the GAASThyriC Model for Predicting Patients with Suboptimal Clinical Response After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and a Practical Calculator: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: It might not be possible to achieve the desired outcome in every patient following bariatric surgery, even though every patient is thoroughly examined before surgery. This study aimed to develop a regression model based on parameters that affect weight loss success in patients scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and thus preoperatively predict whether the patients will have an optimal clinical response in terms of weight loss at the end of the first year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2018 and August 2022, patients who underwent LSG were analyzed retrospectively. Age, sex, comorbidities, smoking status, alcohol use status, preoperative weight, preoperative body mass index (BMI), preoperative laboratory data, weight, and total weight loss (TWL)% values at the end of the first year were recorded. At the end of the first year following LSG, patients with TWL% above 20% were defined as having an optimal clinical response in terms of weight loss. This study is designed, conducted, and reported regarding the "transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis" (TRIPOD) statement. The final model was used to construct an Excel-based calculator. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-eight patients underwent the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, and 38 of them were excluded from the study because of a lack of 1-year follow-up information, resulting in 400 eligible patients for our study. Age, glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), alcohol consumption, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and tobacco were the independent predictors of optimal clinical response (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.011, P=0.039, P=0.045, respectively). The model was called the GAASThyriC score. When the final model was tested in the validation cohort, the AUC was 0.875 (95% CI, 0.742-0.999), the sensitivity was 83.3% (95% CI, 51.6-97.9), specificity was 86.4% (95% CI, 77.4-92.8), negative likelihood ratio was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.05-0.68), and accuracy was 86% (95% CI, 77.6-92.1) when the cutoff value was set to the optimal threshold (logit = 0.8451). CONCLUSION: The GAASThyriC score can be used as an effective auxiliary tool to predict the patient population with suboptimal clinical response in terms of TWL% at the end of the first year after LSG.

Effect of Histopathological Findings of Gastric Specimens Resected During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Weight Loss Success: A Retrospective Analysis of 599 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Even though there aren't enough studies on long-term outcomes, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common procedure among weight loss surgeries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological results of resected stomach specimens of patients who underwent LSG and to analyze the effect of histopathological results on weight loss success. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups according to histopathological results of the pathology specimens: abnormal (chronic active gastritis, chronic inactive gastritis, neoplasias) and normal. If the excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) values were over 70% at the end of the first year following LSG, the patients were considered successful in terms of weight loss. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, preoperative body mass index (BMI) value, as well as postoperative first-year BMI, EWL%, total weight loss percentage (TWL%), and successful patient percentage. RESULTS: A total of 599 patients were included in this study. When the patients were dichotomized according to their pathology results as normal or abnormal, 101 (%83.5) of the patients with normal pathology results had EWL% greater than 70%. On the contrary, 356 (74.5%) of the patients with abnormal pathology results had EWL% greater than 70%, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Patients with normal histopathologic examination results of resected gastric specimens after LSG are more successful than the patient population with abnormal histopathologic results in terms of the percentage of patients with EWL% above 70 at the end of the first postoperative year. We recommend routine histopathologic analysis of gastric specimens after LSG in severely obese patients.

The role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index in predicting the necessity for surgery and therapeutic surgery in patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds.

BACKGROUND: In this diagnostic accuracy study, we examined the effectiveness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in predicting the need for surgical intervention in patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASW) who exhibit unclear findings on physical examination yet remain hemodynamically stable. METHODS: Over a 7-year period, patients with AASW were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups as surgical (SG) and nonsurgical group (nSG). The SG were also divided into two groups as therapeutic surgery (TS) group and the non-therapeutic surgery (nTS) group. The groups were compared in terms of NLR, PLR values and SII scores. RESULTS: In a retrospective analysis of 199 patients with AASW, NLR, PLR and SII obtained during clinical follow-up of patients with AASW in whom the necessity for immediate surgery was unclear significantly predicted therapeutic surgery (p < 0.001 for all). These parameters did not show a significant difference in predicting the need for surgery at the admission. NLR showed an AUC of 0.971 and performed significantly better than PLR and SII (AUC = 0.874 and 0.902, respectively) in predicting TS. The optimal cut-off value for NLR was 3.33, with a sensitivity of 98.2%, a specificity of 90%, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.02. Time from admission to surgery was significantly shorter in the TS group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR, PLR and SII values may be useful in predicting therapeutic surgery during clinical follow-up in AASW patients with unclear physical examination findings and in whom immediate surgical decisions cannot be made.

Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Thyroid Function Tests and Levothyroxine Doses in People With Obesity.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated how laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) affected serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in obese patients with hypothyroidism. We additionally examined whether the dose of levothyroxine decreases as a result of weight loss in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one people with obesity who received levothyroxine treatment for hypothyroidism and underwent LSG between January 2017 and January 2023 were retrospectively examined. Weight, body mass index (BMI), TSH, FT4, FT3, weekly levothyroxine dose changes, and weight-adjusted levothyroxine doses before surgery and the sixth month after surgery were compared. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients included in this study, 50.98% ceased the use of levothyroxine, and nearly half (41.18%) required an adjustment of their levothyroxine dose during the follow-up period (sixth month). Notably, the total weekly dose of levothyroxine (mcg) decreased in the sixth month following surgery (p<0.001). The weekly weight-adjusted dose (mcg/kg) decreased during the same time frame (p<0.001). The preoperative total weekly dose of levothyroxine, EWL% and absence of hyperlipidemia were found to be the independent predictors of the weight-adjusted weekly levothyroxine dose change (p<0.001, p=0.038, and p=0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid function tests in people with obesity can show improvement after LSG. LSG may reduce the weight-adjusted dose of levothyroxine at six months postoperatively and therefore patients should be monitored for possible levothyroxine dose readjustments based on weight loss.

Effectiveness of the Modified Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Score in Predicting Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Introduction: The overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines in obesity has suggested an association between obesity and inflammation. In this study, we aimed to predict the success of weight loss at the end of the first year of patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for morbid obesity using hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and modified HALP (m-HALP) score. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to the success of weight loss. The groups were compared in terms of HALP score, m-HALP score, demographic parameters, and preoperative laboratory tests. The diagnostic performance measurements of the m-HALP score were calculated. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed for the factors affecting weight loss in the first year after LSG. Results: Seventy-two patients were evaluated. The median m-HALP score of the patients with an excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) <60 threshold was 562 (416.6-891.9), the median m-HALP score of the patients with an EWL% above the 60 threshold was 394.3 (347.9-543), and the difference between the outcome groups was significant (P = .002).The accuracy of m-HALP score in identifying the patients whose EWL would be <60% 1 year after the surgery was 63.9 (95% confidence interval = 51.7-74.9). Conclusion: This study showed that the m-HALP score is effective in predicting weight loss after bariatric surgery.

An extremely unusual condition that leads to intestinal obstruction: Foramen Winslow hernia.

It is known that foramen Winslow hernia (FWH) is a very rare disease and difficult to diagnose because there are no specific examina-tion findings. Patients usually present to the emergency department with an intestinal obstruction. Delay in diagnosis may cause isch-emia and perforation of the intestinal loop. Difficulties in early diagnosis increase the probability of this condition resulting in mortality. A 41-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with colic abdominal pain lasting for 2 days. The patient was hospitalized for further examination and treatment. Due to the improvement in his clinical state, the patient was discharged; however, 2 days later, he was readmitted to the emergency department with an inability to pass stool or flatus, nausea, and vomiting, as well as abdominal pain. After laboratory tests and imaging methods were applied to the patient, surgery was decided upon. In the laparoscopic examination, it was observed that the small bowel loop herniated into the foramen Winslow (FW) at 220 cm proximally from the ileocecal junction. Herniated bowel loops were reduced. The open FW was not intervened in, and the operation was terminated. Due to their rarity, FWHs are less likely to be considered a preliminary diagnosis in individuals who present to the emergency department with intestinal obstruction. FWH may be considered in patients with congenital anomalies and without previous abdominal surgery. The best imaging technique for diagnosis is contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT), and it is critical to recognize bowel loops in the omentum minus on CT.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal Bypass in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Remission Using International Criteria.

Introduction: Single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass procedure is recommended in the treatment of patients with obesity, who have comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Meanwhile, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most preferred contemporary bariatric procedure. Research comparing these two techniques are scarce in the literature. In this study, we aimed to compare LSG and SASI procedures in terms of weight loss and diabetes remission. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients, who underwent LSG and 31 patients, who underwent SASI, with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 and above, and under unsuccessful medical treatment, in terms of T2DM, were included in the study. Patients' demographic data were recorded. Oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin use, HbA1c and fasting blood glucose values, and BMI values were recorded preoperatively, at thd sixth month and at first year. According to these data, patients were compared in terms of primarily diabetes remission and secondarily weight loss. Results: At the sixth month and first year, the mean excess weight loss (EWL) values of the SASI group were 55.2% ± 12.45% and 71.67% ± 15.75%, respectively, while EWL values of the LSG group were 57.41% ± 16.22% and 69.73% ± 16.65%, respectively (P > .05). T2DM evaluations revealed that in the SASI group, 25 (80.65%) patients at the sixth month and 26 (83.87%) patients at the first year had either clinical improvement or remission, whereas 23 (76.67%) patients at the sixth month and 26 (86,67%) patients at the first year in the LSG group had the same outcomes (P > .05). Conclusion: The short-term comparison of LSG and SASI procedures revealed similar results in terms of weight loss and T2DM remission. Hence, LSG can be considered as the first-step treatment of morbid obesity accompanied by T2DM, since it is a simpler surgical procedure.

What Value of Sixth Month Excess Weight Loss (Postsleeve Gastrectomy) Is Necessary for Better Sleep Quality?

BACKGROUND: Obesity, caused by caloric intake over output, is a global health problem. The relationship between sleep and obesity is discussed in the literature. Little is known about the compliance of sleep quality and patients' weight loss. This study aimed to review how sleep quality is affected by bariatric surgery, assess whether compliance with sleep quality can be predicted after bariatric surgery, and establish its correlation with excess weight loss. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted for patients undergoing bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy). Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale preoperatively and in the sixth postoperative month. A PSQI global score above 5 indicated poor sleep quality. Participants were divided into 2 groups: good and poor sleep quality. Receiver operating characteristics and logistic regression analysis were also performed to predict sleep quality. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 100 subjects. All PSQI components, except the sixth (sleep medication) component, improved in patients at the sixth postoperative month versus baseline values. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis to test the availability of excess weight loss (EWL%) cutoff values relative to predict successful sleepers, 65.1 of the sixth month EWL% was found for the diagnosis of successful sleeper patients with 72.6% sensitivity and 63% specificity (area under the curve: 0.706, P =0.002, 95% CI, 0.586 to 0.825). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing weight loss surgery, while assessing the sixth postoperative month, the EWL% value over 65.1 was recommended for better sleep quality.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Promotes Recovery in Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The most popular approach for treating obesity is laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol aims to reduce the patient's surgical stress response, optimize their physiological function, and facilitate recovery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the ERAS protocol in patients who have undergone LSG. Methods: Between January 2020 and March 2021, a single-center randomized controlled study with patients undergoing LSG was planned. Patient demographics, duration of surgery and anesthetic induction, postoperative nausea-vomiting (PONV) and pain scores, length of hospital stay, and emergency room readmissions within the first 30 days were also documented. Patients were divided into two groups: those who followed the ERAS protocol and those who did not. The senior surgeon was blinded for the preoperative and postoperative period, whereas the other surgeon was not. The groups were compared in terms of length of hospital stay, duration of surgery, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, PONV effect scores, and emergency service admissions within the first 30 days after surgery. Results: A total of 96 patients were included in this study. Of these, 49 were in the ERAS protocol group and 47 were in the traditional treatment group. The mean age of the patients in the ERAS and traditional treatment groups were 37.47 ± 10.11 years and 35.77 ± 9.62 years, respectively. While the ERAS group patients were hospitalized for a mean of 30.46 ± 11.26 hours, the traditional group patients were hospitalized for 52.02 ± 6.63 hours (P: .001). There was no difference between the groups in terms of the first 30-day readmission to the emergency department (P: .498). Both VAS and PONV effect scores at the 2nd and 12th hours of the ERAS group patients were lower (P: .001, .002, .001, .001, respectively). Conclusions: When compared with the conventional method, the ERAS protocol reduced patient hospitalization time, decreased postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain scores, and did not vary in postoperative emergency department readmissions. In patients receiving LSG, the ERAS protocol can be employed safely and successfully. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT04442568.