Laparoscopic revision of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to sleeve gastrectomy: A ray of hope for failed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric operation across the world, but sometimes revision is necessary. Inadequate weight loss, weight regain, and complications such as dumping syndrome are common reasons for revision. We report the 1-year outcomes of five patients who underwent laparoscopic conversion of RYGB to sleeve gastrectomy during surgical revision. METHODS: Mean age was 38.8 ± 9.1 years. Mean BMI at primary surgery was 57.9 ± 8.1 kg/m(2) . Two patients were diabetic and sleep apneic. One was hypertensive. All patients underwent a RYGB as the primary weight loss procedure. Mean weight loss was 36.8 ± 8.6 kg (excess weight loss = 39.8 ± 14.9%) at 2 years. At the end of 5 years, these patients regained 10.9 ± 4.1 kg (31.5 ± 13.6% of excess weight loss). Primary indications for revision surgery were failure to lose weight, weight regain, and intractable dumping syndrome. Mean duration between primary and revision surgery was 6.2 ± 1.1 years. RYGB was converted to sleeve gastrectomy as a first stage in all cases. RESULTS: Mean duration of revision surgery was 120.0 ± 15.5 min. Mean blood loss was 70 ± 50 mL. One year after revision surgery, a mean weight loss of 21.5 ± 10.5 kg was achieved (mean excess weight loss = 35.8 ± 8.8%). Two patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the one with hypertension achieved remission. Dumping was resolved. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic conversion of RYGB to sleeve gastrectomy as a first stage may be considered as an additional option in the armamentarium of revision procedures after RYGB.

Bariatric Nutrition Guidelines for the Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery numbers have seen a sharp rise in India in the last decade. A country known for its undernourished population has seen economic growth and with it, greater influence of western culture and foods. The obesity epidemic is on the rise here and India is one of the 10 most obese nations of the world being second only to China in the number of type 2 diabetes. Nutritionists in India often rely on recommendations and guidelines meant for the Caucasian population. Religious and cultural practices influence the dietary habits and patterns of the Indian population to a great extent; because of which the nutritional requirements are very different. This document was put together with an aim to provide nutritionists with recommendations on how to manage the Indian bariatric patient. METHODS: A bariatric nutrition round table meeting was initiated by the Centre for Obesity and Digestive Surgery (CODS) to bring together experts in the field of bariatric nutrition to review current data on nutritional deficiencies in the morbid obese and existing post-operative deficiencies and to formulate nutritional recommendations for bariatric/metabolic surgery specific to patients from India. RESULTS: Percentage of nutritional deficiencies and reasons for the same were identified among the Indian population and recommendations were made to suit this particular population. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that all patients undergo compulsory pre-operative nutritional counseling and nutritional investigations and that nutritional follow-up be continued lifelong. In addition, long-term implications like hypoglycemia, dumping syndrome, sugar cravings, and weight regain, need to be picked up and managed efficiently. Most importantly, post-operative supplementation is a must irrespective of type of surgery.

Single-incision sleeve gastrectomy versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. A 2-year comparative analysis of 600 patients.

BACKGROUND: This is a 2-year study to evaluate the feasibility; outcomes in terms of postoperative pain, weight loss, and complication rates; and cosmesis of the single-incision sleeve gastrectomy versus the conventional multiport sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: A prospective comparative analysis was done in 300 patients in each arm who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and single-incision sleeve gastrectomy from September 2009 till January 2012. Both groups were matched for age and BMI. Postoperative pain scoring was done using visual analogue scale. Outcomes in terms of pain score, scar satisfaction score, excess weight loss, resolution of co-morbidities, and complications were compared in both groups at the end of 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. RESULTS: Female patients preferred to undergo single-incision sleeve gastrectomy. Operating time and intraoperative blood loss were comparable in both groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring revealed lesser postoperative pain in the single-incision group. Excess weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities were also comparable in both groups at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Incisional hernia was seen in 3 patients (1%) in the single-incision group. Leak rate was comparable. Cosmetic satisfaction was superior in patients who underwent single-incision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcomes are comparable in both groups at the end of 2 years. The myth of high long-term incisional hernia rate after single-incision surgery has been dispelled. Single-incision surgery is less painful with better cosmesis. It has come of age and should no longer be considered as an experimental procedure.

Predictors of Remission of T2DM and Metabolic Effects after Laparoscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass in Obese Indian Diabetics-a 5-Year Study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has proven results for diabetes remission in obese diabetics. Despite this, a lot of ambiguity exists around patient selection. The objectives of this study are the following: (1) evaluation of results of laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) Indian patients at 5 years and (2) to define predictors of success after surgery. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. One hundred six Indian patients underwent LRYGB from January 2004 to July 2009. Patients were evaluated for percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and remission of T2DM. Mean age 50.34 ± 9.08 years, mean waist circumference 129.8 ± 20.8 cm, mean weight 119.2 ± 23.6 kg, mean BMI 45.01 ± 7.9 kg/m(2), and mean duration of diabetes 8.2 ± 6.2 years. RESULTS: At 5 years, mean EWL% was 61.4 ± 20.3, mean weight regain of 8.6 ± 6.2 kg was seen in 63.6 %, mean glycosylated hemoglobin dropped from 8.7 ± 2.1 to 6.2 ± 01.3 %, mean triglycerides declined by 31 %, and serum high density lipoprotein rose by 18.4 %. Mean low-density lipoprotein levels declined by 6.8 %. Age, BMI, fasting C-peptide levels, duration of T2DM, and pre-op use of insulin emerged as significant predictors of success after surgery. One hundred percent remission was seen in patients with T2DM <5 years. CONCLUSIONS: LRYGB is safe and efficacious for long-term remission of T2DM (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2)). In a country with the second largest population of type 2 diabetics in the world, predictors of success after surgery can help in prioritizing patients who have a greater chance to benefit from metabolic surgery.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stands the test of time: 5-year results in low body mass index (30-35 kg/m(2)) Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate the long-term results of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on excess weight loss, remission of the metabolic syndrome, and complications in Indian patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with a body mass index of 30-35 kg/m(2). The setting was a corporate hospital in Mumbai, India. METHODS: The present prospective observational study was begun in January 2006. A total of 52 patients with uncontrolled T2DM and a body mass index of 30-35 kg/m(2) elected to undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The duration of T2DM was 3.5-14.5 years (median 8.4). Of the 52 patients, 61.5% had hypertension and 59.6% had dyslipidemia. Remission of T2DM and other components of the metabolic syndrome were assessed. All patients were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: The median percentage of excess weight loss was 72.2% at 1 year and 67.8% at 5 years. Of the 52 patients, 84.6% had achieved euglycemia and 73.1% had achieved complete remission, 23.1% partial remission, and 3.84% no remission at 1 year. Weight regain occurred in 8 patients. They required antihypertensive drugs and statins, decreasing the complete remission rate to 57.7% and partial remission rate to 38.5% at 5 years. However, 96.2% improvement in metabolic status was found at the end of 5 years. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective treatment for uncontrolled T2DM in patients with a body mass index of 30-35 kg/m(2). Early-onset T2DM, better weight loss, and greater C-peptide levels were predictors of success after surgery. The improvement after surgery in hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia could help in controlling the occurrence of micro- and macrovascular complications and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with T2DM.

Hyperuricemia: a reality in the Indian obese.

Hyperuricemia is known to be associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in the Indian obese population and to determine if a correlation exists between hyperuricemia, body mass index, waist circumference and components of metabolic syndrome. This was a retrospective observational study. Four hundred nine obese patients were included. Anthropometric parameters were recorded. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and dyslipidemia were recorded. Uric acid levels were measured in all patients. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid levels greater than 6 mg/dl. The population studied had a median body mass index (BMI) of 44.14 kg/m(2) (range 28.1-88.2 kg/m(2)) and a median age of 41 years (range 18 to 75 years). Overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 44.6 %. Thirty-four percent in the BMI range of 28-35 kg/m(2) and 47 % of patients with a BMI of >35 kg/m(2) had hyperuricemia. The incidence of hyperuricemia in males was 50 vs 21.7 % in females. Of patients in the hyperuricemia group, 47.3 % had hypertension as compared to 37 % in the normouricemic group. Dyslipidemia was seen in 7.3 % of hyperuricemic patients as compared to 5.8 % of the normouricemic subjects. The prevalence of T2DM was comparable in both the groups. The Indian obese population has a significant high prevalence of hyperuricemia; the incidence of hyperuricemia in male patients was greater than in female patients. Central obesity had no direct link to hyperuricemia. There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of T2DM and dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia. Hypertension was the only comorbidity seen to occur in conjunction with hyperuricemia.