Establishing a reproducible large animal survival model of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The advent of metabolic surgery and the increasing focus on the substantial resolution rate of type 2 diabetes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) call for additional fundamental investigations as to the mechanisms behind this effect. These investigations require an adequate animal model. Our objective was to develop a reproducible survival model of LRYGB performed in a large animal at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: LRYGB was performed on 11 Yorkshire pigs that where then followed for 6 weeks. The operative time, morbidity, and mortality were recorded for each case. Necropsy was performed, and the anastomoses were harvested and inspected for leaks. RESULTS: The surgical technique and difficulties are carefully described. Of the 11 pigs, 10 survived to the end of the study period. The 1 death was from intraoperative cardiac dysrhythmia. The postoperative complications consisted of a postoperative febrile episode in 2 pigs. The mean initial weight was 31.5 ± 3.4 kg. The mean operative time was 214 ± 71 minutes. No anastomotic leaks were identified at necropsy or on histologic examination of anastomoses. The mean weight gain at the end of the study period was .8 ± 1.4 kg compared with an expected 17.5 kg weight gain. CONCLUSION: We have described an effective survival porcine model of LRYGB that can be consistently reproduced. This will enable additional investigation into the complex physiologic mechanisms that control hunger, weight loss, and the development, as well as resolution, of type 2 diabetes, potentially leading to the development of novel, targeted bariatric procedures and diabetic treatments.

Gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation remain a common yet poorly defined problem. In this study we examine our experience with gastrointestinal complications after lung transplantation. METHODS: Between August 1990 and June 2005, we retrospectively analyzed 208 patients who had undergone lung transplantation (single, 65% [137 of 212]; double, 34% [72 of 212]; heart-lung, 0.5% [2 of 212]; living related, 0.5% [1 of 212]). Four patients were retransplanted. Gastrointestinal complications were defined as any post-transplant diagnosis related to the gastrointestinal tract. RESULTS: Ninety of 208 (43%) transplant patients developed 113 gastrointestinal complications during follow-up (median 3.5 years [62 days to 10.0 years]). Biliary etiology was the most common (12% [25 of 208]), requiring cholecystectomy in 13 patients. Diarrheal syndromes occurred in 21 patients (10%) with 2 patients requiring laparotomies. Small bowel obstruction and/or gastroparesis were present in 17 (5%) and 12 (6%) patients, respectively. Fourteen patients required surgical lysis of adhesions for small bowel obstruction and 7 patients underwent gastric drainage procedures. Three patients had peptic ulcer disease with 2 patients requiring laparotomy for perforated duodenal ulcer. Ten patients developed gastrointestinal bleeding with 1 requiring a colectomy. Three patients presented with diverticulitis and 2 required colectomy. Three patients required laparotomy due to intraperitoneal leakage of gastric secretions after gastromy tube placement. Eleven (16%) deaths were directly related to gastrointestinal complications. Of those patients who required a laparotomy for indications other than cholelithiasis, 9 (35%) died within 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal complications are common after lung transplantation and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Vigilance is required for early recognition and prompt treatment.

Bariatric operations in Veterans Affairs and selected university medical centers: results of the patient safety in surgery study.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate outcomes and predictors of morbidity in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) during the Patient Safety in Surgery (PSS) Study. STUDY DESIGN: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data on PSS patients undergoing RYGB were analyzed for unadjusted and adjusted outcomes. Gender groups acted differently and were analyzed separately. Multivariable regression modeling was used to analyze hospital type as a predictor of risk. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to determine patient factors predictive of postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 2,438 patients (2,064 private sector [PS], 374 Veterans Affairs [VA]) were identified for analysis. Adjusted odds ratio for postoperative morbidity for VA versus PS female patients was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.63-2.05), and for male patients 2.29 (95% CI, 1.28-4.10). Stepwise logistic regression showed that independent risk factors predictive of morbidity were open procedure, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class, higher body mass index, diabetes, alcohol consumption, leukocytosis, SGOT > 40 U/L, smoking history, and older age. Importantly, male gender was not significant (p = 0.13) in the regression analysis. Subsequent and unrelated to this study, the VA has restructured its bariatric surgical program, including regionalization of centers, with a substantial lowering of associated mortality and morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The VA male subset showed higher risk-adjusted postoperative morbidity compared with the PS male subset. The VA and PS female subsets had equivalent risk-adjusted postoperative morbidity. A systematic approach to quality-improvement processes resulted in improved bariatric surgical outcomes in the VA. Male gender might not be an independent risk factor in RYGB patients.