Gastroparesis: an evidence-based review for the bariatric and foregut surgeon.

Gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying. It is a rare disease and difficult to treat effectively; management is a dilemma for gastroenterologists and surgeons alike. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate current diagnostic tools as well as treatment options. We describe key elements in the pathophysiology of the disease, in addition to current evidence on treatment alternatives, including nutritional considerations, medical and surgical options, and related outcomes.

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Using a Disposable Bronchoscope.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) remains underutilized in the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. The exact cause of this under-utilization remains unclear; however, identified barriers to LCBDE implementation include lack of training and unavailability of dedicated instruments. LCBDE is an attractive alternative for stone retrieval in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass given the anatomical difficulty in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopaneatography (ERCP). Direct visualization through choledochoscopy is the method of choice for LCBDE. However, dedicated choledoscopes are expensive and not widely available, which may lead surgeons to seek for alternatives at their particular environment. With the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable bronchoscopes have become widely accessible at our institution, raising the possibility of using one for direct vision of the biliary tract. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with past medical history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, who presented to the emergency department with a CBD stone. Successful LCBDE was achieved with the aid of a disposable bronchoscope for direct visualization of the biliary tract. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12262-022-03642-7.

Esophageal Duplication Cysts in 97 Adult Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal duplication cysts are a rare congenital cystic malformation from faulty intrauterine recanalization of the esophagus during the 4-8th weeks of development. They account for 20% of all gastrointestinal duplication cysts and commonly involve the distal esophagus. Presenting symptoms may be related to size and location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed by searching published literature in various databases. Data from 97 reported case reports were pooled to present a descriptive and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Patient population was composed of 51(52.5%) males and 46 (47.5%) females, and mean ages was 42.3 years (18-77). Distal cysts were the most prevalent. Seventy-nine (81.4%) patients were symptomatic; common symptoms included dysphagia, chest pain, cough and weight loss. Fifteen (15.5%) patients were treated conservatively and 75 (84.5%) by surgical treatment, among them thoracotomy in 30 (30.9%) patients and VATS in 17 (17.5%) patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 8.6 days (range: 1-26 days). One fatality was registered. Location, unlike size, was not found to influence presenting symptoms or treatment employed. Frequency of conservative treatment was not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Open approaches were associated with longer stays than their minimally invasive counterparts. CONCLUSION: Esophageal duplication cysts remain rare in adults and are frequently located in the distal esophagus. Larger cysts are more likely to cause symptoms. Various surgical techniques may successfully be employed in the treatment of this pathology. Minimally invasive procedures have a shorter hospital stay.

Assessment and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease following bariatric surgery.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease in patients with obesity. The incidence of de novo GERD and the effect of bariatric surgery on patients with pre-existing GERD remain controversial. Management of GERD following bariatric surgery is complicated and can range from medical therapy to non-invasive endoscopic options to invasive surgical options. To address these issues, we performed a systematic review of the literature on the incidence of GERD and the various modalities of managing GERD in patients following bariatric surgery. Given the increased number of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) procedures being performed and the high incidence of GERD following LSG, bariatric surgeons should be familiar with the options available to manage GERD following LSG as well as other bariatric procedures.

Pregnant patients with internal hernia after gastric bypass: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has been a popular way for many women to reach a healthy body mass index, and as a consequence, a decreased body mass, which causes a greater chance of fertility, with improved pregnancy and better maternal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Describe a single-center experience of pregnancies complicated by internal hernias after gastric bypass. SETTING: Academic Medical Center. METHODS: During 2011 and 2019 a series of patients were treated for internal hernia after gastric bypass at our teaching hospital. The hospital records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Seven women were treated. Median age was 33 years (range: 24-39 yr). Median gestational age was 25.6 weeks (range: 5-33 wk). Median time from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to pregnancy was 4 years (range: 1-7 yr). Median body mass index was 24 kg/m2 (range: 24-31 kg/m2). Five (71.4%) patients underwent an exploratory laparotomy, and 2 (28.5%) patients a diagnostic laparoscopy. In all patients, an internal hernia of the small bowel in the Petersen space was encountered. Median length of pregnancy was 38 weeks (range: 33.6-39.6 wk). Six (85.7%) patients underwent C-section, and 1 (14.2%) patient gave birth by vaginal delivery. There was only 1 maternal postoperative complication and no fetal postoperative complications. Median follow-up was 9 months (range: 2-20 mo). CONCLUSION: The rapid growth in bariatric surgery on obese women of fertile age could result in more cases of internal herniation during pregnancy in the future. An internal hernia should be suspected when encountering a postgastric bypass pregnant patient with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Systematic review of management of gallbladder disease in patients undergoing minimally invasive bariatric surgery.

The introduction and subsequent widespread adaptation of minimally invasive approaches for bariatric surgery have not only changed the outcomes of bariatric surgery but also called into question the management of co-morbid surgical conditions, in particular gallbladder disease. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Foregut Committee performed a systematic review of the published literature from 1995-2018 on management of gallbladder disease in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The papers reviewed generated the following results. (1) Routine prophylactic cholecystectomy at the time of bariatric surgery is not recommended. (2) In symptomatic patients who are undergoing bariatric surgery, concomitant cholecystectomy is acceptable and safe. (3) Ursodeoxycholic acid may be considered for gallstone formation prophylaxis during the period of rapid weight loss. (4) Routine preoperative screening and postoperative surveillance ultrasound is not recommended in asymptomatic patients. In the era of minimally invasive surgery, the management of gallbladder disease in patients undergoing bariatric surgery continues to evolve.

Intragastric balloon placement for the management of obesity: improving patient selection.

OBJECTIVE: Review and determination of ideal characteristics for the management of obesity by intragastric balloon, in Monterrey, Mexico. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of 152 patients, with overweight and obesity from January 2009 to December 2015, to whom an intragastric balloon was placed. Demography, weight loss, decrease in body mass index (BMI) and complications were analyzed. The objective was to determine the group of patients that will benefit the most after endoscopic intragastric balloon placement. RESULTS: A sample of 120 women and 32 men was analyzed. As expected, greater weight loss was observed in patients with BMI > 40 (n = 10, 6.57%, m = 26.29 ± 5.69; p = 0.001) and the lowest in patients with a BMI < 29.9 (n = 24, 15.78 %). Greater satisfaction was detected among patients with an average loss of 15.24 ± 2.75 kg (p < 0.001), and greater indifference among patients with greater losses. There is a tendency among women towards dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest weight loss was observed among patients with a BMI > 40, although the highest satisfaction was observed among men with an average BMI of 32, which is why we recommend the procedure for these patients. We consider it to be an excellent bridge procedure for patients with BMI > 50.

OBJETIVO: Revisión y determinación de las características ideales para el manejo de la obesidad por medio de balón intragástrico, en Monterrey, México. MÉTODO: Análisis retrospectivo de 152 pacientes, con sobrepeso y obesidad, de enero de 2009 a diciembre de 2015, a quienes se colocó un balón intragástrico. Se analizaron la demografía, la pérdida de peso, la disminución del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y las complicaciones. El objetivo fue determinar el grupo de pacientes que mejores resultados obtendrán tras la colocación del dispositivo por endoscopia. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una muestra de 152 pacientes, 120 mujeres y 32 hombres. Como era de esperar, se observó la mayor pérdida de peso en los pacientes con IMC > 40 (n = 10, 6.57%, m = 26.29 ± 5.69; p = 0.001) y la menor en los pacientes con IMC < 29.9 (n = 24, 15.78%). Se detectó una mayor satisfacción en los pacientes con una pérdida promedio de 15.24 ± 2.75kg (p < 0.001), y mayor indiferencia en los pacientes con mayores pérdidas. Se observa una tendencia en las mujeres hacia la insatisfacción. CONCLUSIONES: La mayor pérdida de peso se observó en los pacientes de IMC > 40, aunque la mayor satisfacción se observó en los hombres con IMC promedio de 32, por lo que lo recomendamos para estos pacientes. Consideramos que es un excelente procedimiento puente para pacientes con IMC > 50.

Use of intraoperative cholangiography in patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis with preoperative imaging or endoscopic study.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is one of the most performed procedures worldwide. Many surgeons defend the use of routine intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), but this action is getting less practiced because other preoperative tools that can omit IOC. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the utility of performing intraoperative cholangiography in patients whom got a preoperative imaging or endoscopy study. We analized the association between the diagnostic-therapeutic approach and hospital readmissions because of bile duct obstruction. METHOD: Retrospective and comparative study of 117 patients admitted with choledocholithiasis and submitted to cholecystectomy between January 2014 and December 2016. The statistical analysis was performed comparing groups using chi squared test with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Patients whom got a preoperative study and had performed an intraoperative cholangiography didn't readmitted. The study reported nine readmissions, being residual gallbladder stone the diagnostic. Patients whom didn't get an intraoperative cholangiography reported the most readmissions. The studied group who registered the most readmissions was the one who didn't get performed an intraoperative cholangiography nor a preoperative study. No mortality was reported. CONCLUSION: Patients who had IOC performed reported less readmissions for residual stone.

ANTECEDENTES: La colecistectomía es uno de los procedimientos quirúrgicos más realizados. Muchos cirujanos defienden la colangiografía transoperatoria (CTO) sistemática, pero su uso es cada vez menos frecuente por la disponibilidad de otras herramientas de estudio empleadas preoperatoriamente que pueden obviar este procedimiento. OBJETIVO: Valorar la utilidad de la CTO cuando se cuenta con un estudio de imagen o endoscópico preoperatorio. Analizar la relación entre el reingreso por un cuadro obstructivo de vía biliar y el abordaje al que se sometió el paciente. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo y comparativo de 117 pacientes ingresados por coledocolitiasis en un periodo de 2 años. Las variables analizadas fueron demográficas, diagnóstico, CTO, estudio previo y reingreso. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de coledocolitiasis en quienes se realizó colecistectomía. El análisis estadístico se hizo comparando grupos mediante la prueba de ji al cuadradocon una significancia estadística de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: El grupo con estudio preoperatorio y CTO no presentó reingresos. Hubo nueve reingresos, siendo el diagnóstico de lito residual. Los grupos sin CTO presentaron más reingresos. El grupo con mayor número de reingresos fue el que no se realizó CTO y no contaba con estudio preoperatorio. No se reportó mortalidad. CONCLUSIÓN: Los grupos en los que se realizó CTO presentaron menos reingresos por lito residual.

Evaluation of a surgical simulator as used by students with different experience levels.

BACKGROUND: Historically, the operating room has been the training setting for both surgeons and students. Nowadays, an alternative is represented by surgical simulators. In the same way a not-very-well-built mirror cannot reflect trustworthy images (distortion), a not well-built, calibrated or programmed simulator will be unable to reflect the training level of the operator. Our aim is to indirectly evaluate the Surgical SIM® simulator. METHODS: Twelve surgical residents were classified according to novices, intermediates and experts, and 15 tasks were applied with three dimensions of evaluation in each using the Surgical SIM® simulator. Pearson's correlation test was used to establish validity. RESULTS: In general, from the three dimensions evaluated, results showed a statistically significant difference for time (p = 0.001), trajectory (p = 0.01) and errors (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Effectiveness of Surgical SIM® was indirectly demonstrated.