Factors associated with decision regret after bariatric surgery.

It is assumed that the individuals who undergo bariatric surgery will experience significant improvements in their health and overall well-being. However, it is yet to be examined whether these individuals may also experience subsequent decision regret. The level of regret regarding the choice to undergo bariatric surgery was assessed 1 year after bariatric surgery using the Decision Regret Scale (DRS). Associations of regret with patient characteristics, complications, weight loss and quality of life (BODY-Q) were investigated using linear regression analyses. In total, 115 patients completed the DRS (92% underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 8% underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG)). Two out of 115 patients indicated absolute regret about their decision to undergo bariatric surgery because of insufficient weight loss and complications. The median decision regret score was zero (range 0-80). Most patients experienced no decision regret (50.4%), followed by mild regret (34.8%) and moderate to strong regret (14.8%). Higher levels of regret were associated with having osteo-articular disorders, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or a history of psychiatric disorders at baseline. Patients with mild regret demonstrated significantly more weight loss and better psychological function. Major surgical complications were not associated with increased decision regret. Only two out of 115 patients (1.7%) indicated absolute regret about their decision to undergo bariatric surgery, and 15% reported moderate-to-strong regret according to the results of the DRS. These findings should be considered when providing pre-operative counselling and could assist patients in their decision-making process.

Same-Day Discharge After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Cohort of 500 Consecutive Patients.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing demand on hospital capacity worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local staff shortages. Novel care pathways have to be developed in order to keep bariatric and metabolic surgery maintainable. Same-day discharge (SDD) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is proved to be feasible and could potentially solve this challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SDD after RYGB is safe for a selected group of patients. METHODS: In this single-center cohort study, low-risk patients were selected for primary RYGB with intended same-day discharge with remote monitoring. All patients were operated according to ERAS protocol. There were strict criteria on approval upon same-day discharge. It was demanded that patients should contact the hospital in case of any signs of complications. Primary outcome was the rate of successful same-day discharge without readmission within 48 h. Secondary outcomes included short-term complications, emergency department visits, readmissions, and mortality. RESULTS: Five hundred patients underwent RYGB with intended SDD, of whom 465 (93.0%) were successfully discharged. Twenty-one patients (4.5%) were readmitted in the first 48 h postoperatively. None of these patients had a severe bleeding. This results in a success rate of 88.8% of SDD without readmission within 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: Same-day discharge after RYGB is safe, provided that patients are carefully selected and strict discharge criteria are used. It is an effective care pathway to reduce the burden on hospital capacity.

A Decision Aid to Help Patients Make Informed Choices Between the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: In the Netherlands, patients can often choose between the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as primary bariatric surgery. Yet, patients confronted with medical options may experience decisional conflict when their stakes are high and outcomes uncertain. This study aimed to assess if a decision aid helps patients make informed choices between two bariatric procedures by lowering the level of decisional conflict. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center comparative cohort of patients who accessed a web-based decision aid (intervention group) and those who did not use the decision aid (control group) to help choose between two bariatric procedures additional to the standard provided care. The primary outcome was the level of decisional conflict in these patients using the decisional conflict scale (DCS). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction with the provided information (BODY-QTM-satisfaction with information), preference of involvement in procedure selection, level of shared decision-making (SDM-Q-9 questionnaire), and patient knowledge. RESULTS: The level of decisional conflict assessed with the decisional conflict scale (DCS) showed a significantly lower mean total DCS of 25.5 ± 11.5 for the intervention group vs. 29.1 ± 12.4 in the control group (p = 0.022). Both groups did not significantly differ in satisfaction regarding provided information, involvement in the selection procedure, shared decision-making, and patient knowledge. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the additional use of a decision aid significantly lowers the level of decisional conflict in patients awaiting bariatric surgery. However, the added value should be further investigated.

The association between patient attendance to a perioperative group-based lifestyle program and weight loss after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: To enable maximal and sustainable weight loss after bariatric surgery, bariatric lifestyle programs through multidisciplinary support are advised. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between patient attendance to a perioperative group-based bariatric lifestyle program (GBLP) and weight loss up to 48 months postoperatively. SETTING: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) attended a GBLP in 2016 consisting of 18 sessions. A linear mixed model was used to assess the association between the patient attendance rate to the GBLP and total weight loss (%TWL). Independent predictors for the patient attendance rate and adequate %TWL were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 3015 patients were included. Percentage of patients lost to follow-up was 5% at 1 year, 25% at 2 years, 34% at 3 years, and 42% at 4 years follow-up. Average TWL was 33% at 12 months after surgery, 33% at 24 months, 31% at 36 months, and 31% at 48 months. A small but significant adjusted positive association between the attendance rate and %TWL at 3 months until 36 months postoperatively was found (Beta between .03-.07), which disappeared at 48 months after surgery. Independent factors associated with a low attendance rate were younger age, male sex, and SG. Independent factors negatively associated with %TWL were male sex, SG, and diabetes. CONCLUSION: A higher patient attendance to GBLP sessions is associated with a small but significant increase in postoperative weight loss up to 3, but not 4 years after surgery.

Preoperative Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Bariatric Patients Using Polysomnography or Polygraphy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative assessment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery can be performed by in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) or by portable polygraphy (PP) at home. We aimed to evaluate the association between PSG/PP, OSA diagnosis, and implementation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. METHODS: All patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2015 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent preoperative PSG or PP, based on prevailing protocols or at the physician's discretion. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of CPAP implementation. OSA-related postoperative complications were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 1464 patients were included. OSA was diagnosed in 79% of 271 patients undergoing PSG, compared to 64% of 1193 patients undergoing PP (p < 0.001), with median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15.8 and 7.7, respectively. CPAP treatment was initiated in 52% and 27% of patients, respectively, p < 0.001. Predictors (with adjusted odds ratio) in multivariate regression analysis for CPAP implementation were as follows: male gender (5.15), BMI ≥ 50 (3.85), PSG test (2.74), hypertension (2.38), and age ≥ 50 (1.87). OSA-related complications did not differ between groups (p = 0.277). CONCLUSION: Both PSG and PP are feasible options for preoperative OSA assessment in bariatric patients. When PP is performed, some underdiagnosis may occur as cases of mild OSA may be missed. However, clinically relevant OSA is detected by both diagnostic tools. No difference in OSA-related complications was found. PP is a safe, less invasive option and can be considered as a suitable measure for OSA assessment in this population.

Becoming pregnant within the first year after bariatric surgery adversely affects postoperative weight loss.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of the patients undergoing bariatric surgery are female, with half of them undergoing surgery during their reproductive years. Most guidelines recommend that women wait at least 12 months after surgery before becoming pregnant. No previous studies have investigated whether becoming pregnant in the first or second year after surgery affects weight loss. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether pregnancy within the first or second year after bariatric surgery affects weight loss up to 5 years after surgery. SETTING: A single institution. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study of women who underwent primary bariatric surgery between 2012 and 2016. Weight outcomes were measured until 5 years after surgery. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of the time between surgery and conception in groups on the basis of percentage total weight loss. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients undergoing a primary bariatric procedure were included. Forty-seven women underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (85.5%), and 8 underwent a sleeve gastrectomy (14.5%). The median time between surgery and estimated conception was 22 months (range: 0-51 months). Women who became pregnant between 12 and 24 months after bariatric surgery (n = 18) and women who became pregnant after 24 months (n = 24) had significantly more weight (ß = 3.95, P = .020, and ß = 4.09, P =.024, respectively) than women who became pregnant within 12 months after bariatric surgery (n = 12). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that pregnancy within 12 months after bariatric surgery negatively affects the long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Comparing a Short Biliopancreatic Limb to a Long Biliopancreatic Limb in Patients with a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with 4 Years Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: In order to design the most effective weight loss procedure, the ideal biliopancreatic limb (BPL) and alimentary limb (AL) length in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have been discussed extensively. Yet, no consensus has been reached. The aim of this study was to compare weight loss after a short and long BPL in patients who underwent a RYGB with a minimum of 4 years follow-up. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study consisted of 574 patients who underwent a primary RYGB procedure between March 2015 and January 2017. Patients were divided in two groups based on the surgical procedure performed: a short BPL group (BPL of 50 cm with an AL of 150 cm) and long BPL group (BPL of 150 cm with an AL of 75 cm). The percentage total weight loss (%TWL) between groups was compared up to 4 years after surgery. Secondary outcomes were 30-day postoperative complications and health-related quality of life (RAND-36). RESULTS: The short BPL group consisted of 286 patient and the long BPL group of 288 patients. Follow-up rates of both groups at the first, second, third, and fourth year after surgery were comparable. The long BPL group showed significantly more %TWL compared to the short BP limb group starting at 6 months (p = 0.004) until 4 years after surgery (p < 0.001). Thirty-day complications and health-related quality of life did not differ. CONCLUSION: The results showed significantly more %TWL in patients receiving a long BPL compared to the short BPL up to 4 years after surgery.

Feasibility of Same-Day Discharge After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Using Remote Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Shortening of hospital stay to 1 night has not affected the short-term safety of patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Whether the RYGB is feasible in an ambulatory setting (same-day discharge) without overnight hospital stay remains to be answered. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of same-day discharge after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) using additional live video consultation and remote monitoring. Same-day discharge (SDD) was defined as surgery without postoperative overnight hospital stay. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective feasibility study in a selected group of patients undergoing a RYGB. Fifty patients undergoing a primary RYGB were selected and potentially treated following the SDD protocol. After SDD discharge patients were remotely monitored after surgery for 48 h using a medical device measuring vital signs three times a day. Video consultations were performed by a doctor twice a day for 2 postoperative days. Primary outcome was the success rate (%) of SDD. Secondary outcomes were emergency room presentations, readmissions, early complications (<30 days), and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were selected for the SDD treatment protocol between June 2020 and November 2020. An SDD success rate of 88 % (44/50 patients) was achieved. Five patients (10%) presented at the emergency room, 2 of whom (4%) were readmitted because of a complication within 30 days after surgery. Overall, patients who followed the SDD protocol reported high satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION: A RYGB with SDD can be considered feasible using remote monitoring for a selected group of patients.

The effect of postoperative CPAP use on anastomotic and staple line leakage after bariatric surgery.

PURPOSE: Almost two-thirds of the population undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for moderate to severe OSA and is recommended in patients undergoing BS perioperatively. A severe and dreaded complication after BS is anastomotic leakage. There is theoretical concern that perioperative CPAP use may result in increased distension of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the risk of developing an anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on the risk of developing anastomotic leakages after BS. METHODS: Retrospectively, all patients from a single bariatric center who underwent BS from November 2007 to August 2019 were included. Presence and severity of OSA were determined using poly(somno)graphy. To evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on anastomotic leakage, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 4052 patients were included, with OSA being diagnosed in 62%. Overall, 970 patients (24%) used CPAP after BS. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 64 (1.6%) patients after BS. Leakage rate was 1.3% in non-CPAP group versus 2.5% in CPAP group (p = 0.01). CPAP use was associated with anastomotic leakage; however, after adjustment, CPAP use was not an independent predictor (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.60-3.28, p = 0.44). CONCLUSION: There is no independent relation between postoperative CPAP use and anastomotic leakage after BS. Only revision surgery was an independent predictor of anastomotic leakage.

The weekend effect for hip fracture surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Increased mortality rates have been reported for emergency admissions during weekends and outside office hours. Research on the weekend effect in hip fracture patients is however limited and demonstrates conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of weekend admission and weekend surgery on 30-day and 1-year mortality following hip fracture surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent hip fracture surgery in our hospital between 2004 and 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics including age, gender, fracture type, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and length of stay were collected. Information on admission and surgery date and time of day was recorded, as were in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1803 patients were included, 546 patients (30.3%) were admitted during the weekend. Patient characteristics did not differ between weekday and weekend admissions. Surgical delay was less frequent in patients undergoing weekend surgery. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that older age, higher ASA score, higher NHFS and increased surgical delay were independently associated with 30-day mortality. One-year mortality was associated with age, gender, ASA score, CCI and surgical delay. Weekend admission and weekend surgery were not associated with increased 30-day or 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There was no weekend effect for hip fracture patients in our study. These results indicate an adequate level of perioperative care outside weekday office hours within our health care system.

Do-not-resuscitate orders and early mortality in hip fracture patients.

Background: factors affecting mortality after hip fracture surgery have been studied extensively. It has been suggested that do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are associated with higher mortality in surgical patients due to less aggressive treatment. However, the effect of DNR orders on mortality in hip fracture patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of DNR orders on early mortality after hip fracture surgery. Methods: all patients undergoing hip fracture surgery between 2004 and 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics such as age, comorbidities and fracture type were collected, as were resuscitation preferences. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for early mortality. Results: a total of 1,803 patients were analysed, of which 823 (45.6%) had DNR orders. DNR patients were older, more often female, had lower haemoglobin levels and more comorbidities when compared with non-DNR patients. The unadjusted effect of DNR orders on mortality was high (OR: 2.39; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that increased age, male gender, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, low admission haemoglobin, living in an institution, high Charlson Comorbidity Index and delay to surgery were associated with increased early mortality after hip fracture surgery. There was no independent effect of DNR orders on mortality after adjustment for these variables (P = 0.735). Conclusions: DNR patients have higher mortality rates due to poor health status. Resuscitation preferences on their own are not associated with early mortality after hip fracture surgery.