Autologous Reconstruction and Visceral Transplantation for Management of Patients With Gut Failure After Bariatric Surgery: 20 Years of Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity. However, these weight loss procedures may result in the development of gut failure (GF) with the need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This retrospective study is the first to address the anatomic and functional spectrum of BS-associated GF with innovative surgical modalities to restore gut function. METHODS: Over 2 decades, 1500 adults with GF were referred with history of BS in 142 (9%). Of these, 131 (92%) were evaluated and received multidisciplinary care. GF was due to catastrophic gut loss (Type-I, 42%), technical complications (Type-II, 33%), and dysfunctional syndromes (Type-III, 25%). Primary bariatric procedures were malabsorptive (5%), restrictive (19%), and combined (76%). TPN duration ranged from 2 to 252 months. RESULTS: Restorative surgery was performed in 116 (89%) patients with utilization of visceral transplantation as a rescue therapy in 23 (20%). With a total of 317 surgical procedures, 198 (62%) were autologous reconstructions; 88 (44%) foregut, 100 (51%) midgut, and 10 (5%) hindgut. An interposition alimentary conduit was used in 7 (6%) patients. Reversal of BS was indicated in 84 (72%) and intestinal lengthening was required in 10 (9%). Cumulative patient survival was 96% at 1 year, 84% at 5 years, and 72% at 15 years. Nutritional autonomy was restored in 83% of current survivors with persistence or relapse of obesity in 23%. CONCLUSIONS: GF is a rare but serious life-threatening complication after BS. Successful outcome is achievable with comprehensive management, including reconstructive surgery and visceral transplantation.

Epidemiology of bloodstream infections in patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition.

GOALS: To describe the epidemiology and microbiologic characteristics of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). BACKGROUND: Home TPN therapy has been reported as a risk factor for BSI. However, little knowledge exists regarding the epidemiology of BSIs in this patient group. STUDY: A descriptive, observational epidemiologic study of patients receiving long-term TPN from January 1981 to July 2005 was performed. Variables analyzed include age, gender, time of follow-up, number of BSIs, microbiologic characteristics, underlying disease necessitating long-term TPN, catheter type, complications related to TPN, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients receiving long-term TPN were evaluated. The most frequent indication for long-term TPN was ischemic bowel disease (25.5%). The mean duration of follow-up was 4.5 years. Thirty-eight patients (80.9%) developed 248 BSIs while receiving TPN. More than 1 BSI episode occurred in 78.9% of these patients, and 23.8% of BSI episodes were polymicrobial. The most prevalent pathogen was coagulase negative staphylococci (33.5%). The most frequent complication among patients with BSI was central venous thrombosis (44.7%). Five patients were intravenous drug users. There were 11 deaths among the patients on long-term TPN, 4 of these were related to infection and 4 were related to intravenous drug use. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BSI is high, and a significant proportion of BSIs in long-term TPN patients are polymicrobial and due to multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi. Careful management of the infusion line is required and interventions are needed to reduce the risk of catheter-related infections in this population.