Establishing a Reproducible Murine Animal Model of Single Anastomosis Duodenoileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADl-S).

Single-anastomosis duodenoileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a simplified biliopancreatic diversion. The objective of this study was to develop a reproducible animal model for SADI-S. We used three techniques for duodenal exclusion and duodenoileal anastomosis: (a) surgical clip and side-to-side anastomosis, (b) ligation and side-to-side anastomosis and (c) sectioning the duodenum, closing the duodenal stump and end-to-side anastomosis. We recorded the surgical technique and complications for each method. Twenty-five of 31 rats survived to the end of the study period. One death occurred from accidental anaesthesia overdose and the others from anastomosis leak. Four duodenal exclusions had repermeabilised at necropsy. Our murine model of SADI-S can be consistently reproduced. Sectioning the duodenum is preferable to avoid repermeabilisation of the duodenum.

Revision Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass to Biliopancreatic Long-Limb Gastric Bypass for Inadequate Weight Response: Case Series and Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The long-limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LLRYGB) was introduced in 1987 as a salvage operation for inadequate weight loss after a standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: We report on 53 consecutive patients (44 females) with conversion of a failed RYGB to a LLRYGB performed by a single surgeon between 2002 and 2014. No patient had an ascertainable anatomic abnormality to explain his/her weight regain. LLRYGB revision consisted of a 75-cm to 100-cm alimentary Roux limb and a 75-cm to 100-cm common channel; after 2011, in suitable patients, the Roux limb was lengthened to greater than 250 cm. RESULTS: Average values for weight (lbs) were as follows: pre-original RYGB = 329; lowest measured after RYGB = 196; at time of LLRYGB = 285; and at 1, 2, 3, 4, >5 years post LLRYGB = 225, 207, 199, 197, 195, for a sustained weight loss >90 lbs. Average values for BMI (kg/m2) were as follows: pre-original RYGB = 54.3; lowest measured after RYGB = 32.3; at time of LLRYGB = 47.2; and at 1, 2, 3, 4, >5 years post LLRYGB = 37.1, 34.4, 33.0, 32.8, 31.4, for a sustained BMI reduction >16.5 kg/m2. Zero operative mortality; 3 (5.7%) late deaths; 7 (13.2%) 30-day complications; 33 (62.3%) long-term complications with 23 (43.4%) needing TPN; and 14 (26.4%) requiring operative revision. CONCLUSION: A salvage LLRYGB procedure can be performed safely and is weight successful, but fraught with long-term nutritional problems and a high necessity for revision. A Roux segment over 250 cm may improve outcomes.

Morbilidad y mortalidad de las derivaciones biliodigestivas / Morbidity and mortality in biliary bypasses

Objetivo: Determinar la morbilidad y la mortalidad en las derivaciones biliodigestivas en el servicio de Cirugía general en el Hospital Enrique Cabrera, de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2011. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva y prospectiva. La muestra fue constituida por 51 pacientes a los que se les realizó una o más derivaciones biliodigestivas. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad, sexo, causa de intervención, tecnica quirúrgica, complicaciones, estado al egreso y causa de muerte. Se calculó la frecuencia de complicaciones y la mortalidad para cada técnica. Resultados: Fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente 51 pacientes, con un promedio de edad de 57,5 años El tumor de cabeza de páncreas correspondió a 56,9% de los casos y la lesión de vía biliar, a 17,6%. La infección del sitio quirúrgico ocurrió en 33,3%. Fallecieron 50% de los operados por ténica de Whipple. La técnica quirúrgica más utilizada fue la coledocoduodenostomía. La mortalidad fue 11,8% y la principal causa de muerte, la falla multiorgánica. Conclusiones: El tumor de cabeza de páncreas fue la causa de intervención más frecuente La pancreatoduodenectomía de Whipple reportó la mayor morbimortalidad. Las tasas de incidencia de complicaciones y de mortalidad para la cirugía biliodigestiva fueron altas.

Objectives: To determine the morbidity and mortality in biliary bypasses in the Service of General Surgery at the Enrique Cabrera Hospital from January of 2007 to December of 2011. Material and Methods: It was carried out an observational, descriptive and prospective study. The sample constituted by 51 patients who had underwent a biliary bypass. The studied variables were: age, sex, intervention cause, surgical technique, complications, condition at discharge and cause of death. Frequency of complications and mortality were calculated for each technique. Results: Fifty one patients underwent a biliary bypass, age average of 57,5 year-old. The head's pancreas tumor was 56,9% and biliary's ducts lesions 17,6%. Surgical wound infection occurred in 33,3% of cases, and 50% of those who underwent a Whipple's technique died. The more used surgical technique was the choledocoduodenostomy. The mortality was of 11,8% and the main cause of death was multiorganic failure. Conclusions: The head's pancreas tumor was the cause that underwent surgery. The Whipple's pancreatoduodenectomy reported the highest morbidity and mortality. The frequency of complications and mortality for a biliary bypass were high.

A meta-analysis of randomized trials: immediate stent placement vs. surgical bypass in the palliative management of malignant biliary obstruction.

CONTEXT: Many patients with unresectable pancreatic and peripancreatic cancer require treatment for malignant biliary obstruction. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a meta-analysis of the English language literature (1985-2011) comparing immediate biliary stent placement and immediate surgical biliary bypass in patients with unresectable pancreatic and peripancreatic cancer and analyze associated hospital utilization patterns. METHODS: After identifying five randomized controlled trials comparing immediate biliary stent placement and immediate surgical biliary bypass, we performed a meta-analysis for dichotomous outcomes, using a random effects model. We compared resource utilization in terms of the number of hospital days before death by reviewing high-quality literature. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-nine patients were identified. We found no statistically significant differences in success rates between the two treatments (risk ratio [RR] 0.99; 95% CI 0.93-1.05; P = 0.67). Major complications and mortality were not significantly higher after surgical bypass (RR 1.54; 95% CI 0.87-2.71; P = 0.14). Recurrent biliary obstruction was significantly less frequent after surgical bypass than after stent placement (RR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.63; P < 0.01). Despite similar overall survival rates, longer survival was associated with more hospital days before death in stent patients than in surgical patients. CONCLUSION: Nearly all patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer benefit from some procedure to manage biliary obstruction. Patients with low surgical risk benefit more from surgery because the risk of recurrence and subsequent hospital utilization are lower than after stent placement.

Factors influencing survival in patients undergoing palliative bypass for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify factors predictive of early mortality following palliative bypass in patients with previously unsuspected advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma to provide a basis for the selection of appropriate therapies. METHODS: All patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent a bypass procedure at our institution between 9/30/1994 and 1/31/2006 were reviewed. Patients with peri-operative mortality were excluded from the analysis. Univariate analysis was performed on peri-operative data to identify factors associated with early mortality (death within 6 months of surgery). Patients having multiple risk factors were assigned an overall prognostic score based on the sum of these factors. RESULTS: Of the 397 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma analyzed, four factors were found to predict early mortality following palliative bypass: Presence of distant metastatic disease (HR 2.59, P < 0.0001), poor tumor differentiation (HR 1.71, P = 0.009), severe pre-operative nausea and vomiting (HR 1.48, P = 0.013), and lack of previous placement of a biliary stent (HR 1.36, P = 0.048). Patients with a prognostic score of 0 were significantly more likely to survive past 6 months than patients with a prognostic score of 1 (HR 2.71, P < 0.0001), 2 (HR 3.70, P < 0.0001), or ≥3 (HR 5.63, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients undergoing a palliative bypass procedure, specific peri-operative factors can be used to identify patients who are at risk of early mortality. These factors may be helpful in selecting appropriate interventions for this group of patients.

[Duodenal switch: a comprehensive view of a biliopancreatic diversion in metabolic surgery]. / Cruce duodenal: visión integral de una derivación biliopancreática en cirugía metabólica.

The duodenal switch is a technique of Bariatric Surgery that modifies the Scopinaro biliopancreatic diversion, described by Hess and Marceaux in 1988, supported by the original description that made De Meester for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux recurrent disease. It is a complex technique, probably the most laborious of all bariatric procedures until now known, which can and must be done by laparoscopy and consisting of several surgical steps. It involves the performance of a vertical gastrectomy with bougies of different diameter and a bypass Roux-en-Y into the duodenum, with different lengths limbs. Duodenoileal anastomosis is the most difficult and different techniques are described. It must be accompanied by closure of the defects and in most of the cases of an appendectomy and cholecystectomy. There have been greater than the gastric bypass Roux-en-Y in operating time, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. Reported complications are up a 24% of the cases, early or late, these are metabolic one and easily controllable, so a good index of satisfaction with low percentage of review and no more than 1.5% mortality. Achieved a decrease of 70% of excess weight in the long term, with improvement in all co-morbidities reaching around a 95% diabetes and metabolic control of the dyslipidemias. Given the good results it should be seen as a technique of choice for the treatment of the obese patient with metabolical disorder.

Forty-year experience with flow-diversion surgery for patients with congenital choledochal cysts with pancreaticobiliary maljunction at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Congenital choledochal cyst with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is known as a high-risk factor for various complications such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, and carcinogenesis of the biliary system by mutual refluxes of bile and pancreatic juice. Furthermore, it is not rare to suffer from postoperative complications if the wrong operative procedure is chosen. Therefore, we sought to review the relationship between operative procedure for types I and IV-A (Todani's classification) congenital choledochal cyst with PBM, and long-term treatment outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 144 patients who underwent flow diversion surgery in our institution during the 40-year period from 1968 to 2008 and who did not have a coexisting malignant tumor at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Of these 144 patients, 137 underwent complete cyst excision and 7 underwent pancreas head resection as flow diversion surgery. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 345 months and from 1 to 271 months (average, 100.2 and 94.1) in patients with type I and type IV-A cysts, respectively. Regarding surgical treatment outcome, postoperative progress was good in 130 (90.3%) of the 144 patients. Fourteen patients required hospitalization for long-term postoperative complications such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, intrahepatic calculi, pancreatic calculus, and carcinogenesis during postoperative follow-up. Of these, 2 patients who underwent surgery for type IV-A cysts died because of secondary biliary cirrhosis with liver failure and advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that flow diversion surgery for congenital choledochal cysts with PBM significantly reduces the risk of subsequent development of malignancy in the biliary tract, and it is vital to choose the appropriate operative procedure to prevent occurrence of these postoperative complications.

Bypass surgery versus intentionally incomplete resection in palliation of pancreatic cancer: is resection the lesser evil?

OBJECTIVE: As technical expertise increases, the indication for pancreatic resection for advanced pancreatic cancer has been expanded over the last years. Recently, several groups reported their series of unintentionally incomplete tumor resections and reported a potential survival benefit for patients after incomplete resection when compared with palliative bypass surgery. We investigated in a retrospective analysis whether even tumor resection that was intended to be incomplete might provide a better outcome than conventional palliative procedures. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with a locally non-resectable or disseminated adenocarcinoma of the pancreas underwent a palliative intentionally incomplete resection. Outcome after resection was compared with that of 46 patients matched for age, sex, and histopathological tumor type who underwent a palliative bypass operation. RESULTS: Overall surgical morbidity was significantly higher in the resection group (59%) compared with the bypass group (33%, p < 0.05), resulting in a higher relaparotomy rate and a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001). Surgery-related mortality was significantly higher in the resection group (p < 0.05). Overall survival showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the higher surgery-related morbidity and mortality and lack of survival benefit in cases of advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, intentionally incomplete palliative resection is not advisable.

Postoperative morbidity of biliopancreatic diversion depending on common limb length.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastric bypass, currently the most popular surgical method for bariatric therapy, have proved to be effective in weight loss, but some matters regarding its long-term efficacy for super-obese patients (BMI >50 kg/m2) have arisen. Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is a complex technique that has shown good results in the treatment of the super-obese patient. We analyze our >5 years results, evaluating weight loss, morbidity and mortality of this operation, depending on the length of the common and alimentary limbs. METHODS: We studied two series of patients: 150 patients with BPD of Scopinaro (50-200 cm) and 70 patients with modified BPD (75-225 cm). The results have been analyzed in terms of weight loss, co-morbidity improvement, and postoperative morbidity using BAROS. RESULTS: Range of follow-up is 1-12 years. Weight loss was slightly higher for the Scopinaro group than for the Modified group but with no significant difference. There was more prevalence of malnutrition and of iron deficiency in the Scopinaro group (16% and 60%) than in the modified group (2% and 40%), with similar postoperative morbidities. CONCLUSION: The modified BPD method (75-225 cm) shows long-term effectiveness in weight loss and comorbidity improvement for super-obesity. Proteins, vitamins and oligoelement deficits appear distant in time, and thus it is necessary to maintain strict followup of these patients and supplement against deficiencies for the rest of their lives.

Emergency surgical conditions after biliopancreatic diversion.

BACKGROUND: Urgent late complications of biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) are rare and often require the experience of a bariatric surgery team for their immediate resolution. METHODS: The present work analyzes the incidence of emergency surgical conditions in a group of 138 patients who had undergone classical BPD, with a mean follow-up of 60 months (24-96) after BPD. RESULTS: Urgent surgical intervention was necessary in 9 patients out of 138 (6.5%): 7 (5%) were for intestinal obstruction (4 of the biliopancreatic limb and 3 of the alimentary tract); 2 (1.4%) were for stomal ulcer with complications (1 massive hemorrhage and 1 perforation). CONCLUSIONS: These complications of BPD are common to all GI operations, and thus are not specific to the type of surgery. We emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in regard to intestinal obstruction, because delay could have dramatic consequences.

Short-, mid- and long-term results of Larrad biliopancreatic diversion.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to reduce the complications of Scopinaro's biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), in 1989 we introduced the modification of lengthening the alimentary channel preserving most of the jejunum-ileum, by creating a short biliopancreatic limb (50 cm) and maintaining 50 cm of common limb (Larrad 50-50 BPD). METHODS: Of 343 patients who consecutively underwent Larrad 50-50 BPD surgery, 325, 194 and 65 patients were evaluated at 2, 5 and 10 years after surgery, respectively, in terms of surgical morbidity, mortality, metabolic sequelae and weight. Mean age was 41.2 years (range 17-62), mean initial weight 151.2 kg (range 97-260), and BMI was 52.2 kg/m2. Maximum follow-up was 120 months. RESULTS: Mortality was 0.87% and surgical morbidity 7.6%. There were no cases of suture dehiscence, peritonitis or stomal stenosis. Percent excess weight loss (%EWL) stabilized 2 years after surgery and at 10 years was 77.8 +/- 11.2% for morbidly obese patients and 63.2 +/- 11.8% for super-obese patients. The main complications were 43.8% clinical incisional hernia, 2.5% severe diarrhea, 10.8% mild diarrhea and 9.2% constipation. 30% experienced anemia and/or iron deficiency, and 3% required iron parenterally or lifelong zinc supplements. 28% showed preoperative PTH elevation and 30% vitamin D deficiency; these values postoperatively increased to 45% and 43% respectively. Both these alterations were resolved using supplements, although 12% needed increased doses of vitamin D. The incidence of severe hypoproteinemia was 0.29%. No patient required surgical reversal. When independently evaluated, failure rates in terms of insufficient weight loss were 9% at 5 years and 11.3% at 10 years for morbidly obese, and 12.2% and 14% for super-obese patients respectively. According to the BAROS questionnaire, 75% of surgery outcomes were excellent or very good, 18% good, 5% fair and 2% failures. CONCLUSIONS: After 2, 5 and 10 years, Larrad's BPD has offered excellent results in terms of weight loss and quality of life, a low rate of metabolic sequelae, including a hypoproteinemia rate < 0.5%, and a revision surgery rate 0%.

Duodenal switch: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: This report summarizes our 15-year experience with duodenal switch (DS) as a primary procedure on 1,423 patients from 1992 to 2005. METHODS: Within the last 2 years, follow-up of these patients, including clinical biochemistry evaluation by us or by their local physician is 97%. RESULTS: Survival rate was 92% after DS. The risk of death (Excess Hazard Ratio (EHR)) was 1.2, almost that of the general population. After a mean of 7.3 years (range 2-15), 92% of patients with an initial BMI < or = 50 kg/m2 obtained a BMI < 35 and 83% of those with an initial BMI > 50 obtained a BMI < 40. Diabetes was cured (i.e. medication was discontinued) in 92% and medication decreased in the others. The use of the CPAP apparatus was discontinued in 90%, medication for asthma was decreased in 88%, and the prevalence of a cardiac risk index > 5 was decreased by 86%. Patients' satisfaction in regard to weight loss was graded 3.6 on a basis of 5, and 95% of patients were satisfied with the overall results. Operative mortality was 1% which is comparable with gastric bypass surgery. The need for revision for malnutrition was rare (0.7%) and total reversal was exceptional (0.2%). Failure to lose > 25% of initial excess weight was 1.3%. Revision for failure to lose sufficient weight was needed in only 1.5%. Severe anemia, deficiency in vitamins or bone damage were exceptional, easily treatable, preventable and no permanent damage was documented. CONCLUSION: In the long-term, DS was very efficient in terms of cure rate for morbid obesity and its comorbidities. In terms of risk/benefit, DS was very sucessful with an appropriate system of follow-up.

Roux-en-Y divided gastric bypass results in the same weight loss as duodenal switch for morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: The 2 weight loss procedures most commonly performed in the United States are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and lateral gastrectomy with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). RYGB is a restrictive procedure, whereas BPD/DS relies on mild restriction of intake as well as malabsorption. Many physicians believe that weight loss is greater after BPD/DS than after RYGBP. However, these procedures have not been compared using groups of patients operated on by the same surgeons at the same institution. METHODS: We compared weight loss (expressed as percent of excess body weight [%EBW]) after 1 and 2 years in patients who underwent open RYGB or BPD/DS at our institution. RESULTS: Average length of stay was longer in BPD/DS patients than in those undergoing RYGBP (8.7 vs. 5.9 days, P <0.05). Anastomotic leaks were higher after BPD/DS (6% vs. 3%), but the difference did not achieve statistical significance. Mortality did not differ between the 2 groups (0.8% vs. 0.9%). In the group of patients followed-up for 1 to 2 years, age and distribution of men and women did not differ. Those patients undergoing BPD/DS had higher body mass index (59 vs. 55, P <0.05). Weight loss expressed as %EBW was similar between the 2 groups: 54% versus 53% at 1 year and 67% versus 64% at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that weight loss expressed as %EBW is similar between patients undergoing RYGBP and those undergoing BPD/DS. However, BPD/DS was associated with a longer hospital stay.

Surgical bypass versus metallic stent for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

With the development of interventional radiology and endoscopy, the practice of inserting expandable metallic stents for malignant jaundice has become widespread. Many studies have compared surgical bypass with polyethylene stents, or metallic stents with polyethylene stents. However, few data are available on the comparison of surgical bypass and metallic stents. The aim of this study was to compare the patient's postprocedure course and the cost performance of surgical bypass and metallic stents in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. The parameters analyzed were the rates of procedural and therapeutic success, duration of hospital stay, prevalence of early and late complications, cost performance, and prognosis. The rates of procedural and therapeutic success were excellent with both palliative treatments. With surgical bypass, there was a low prevalence of late complications, but duodenal obstruction sometimes occurred in patients without gastric bypass. With metallic stents, there was shorter hospitalization and lower cost, but a higher prevalence of late complications. Stent occlusion tended to occur in patients with uncovered metallic stents. There was no difference in the prognosis between the two palliative treatments. Thus, in consideration of the poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer, in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, insertion of covered metallic stents would be preferable to surgical bypass, because of the subsequent short hospitalization and the low cost. On the other hand, in patients with a relatively long expected prognosis, or in those with existing duodenal obstruction, biliary bypass with gastrojejunostomy may provide an advantage.

Duodenal switch: an effective therapy for morbid obesity--intermediate results.

BACKGROUND: The duodenal switch (DS) is a variant of the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), with a vertical subtotal gastrectomy and pylorus preservation. METHODS: DS was used to treat morbid obesity in 125 patients, with mean BMI 50, with 65% of the patients super obese (SO). Patients have been followed for an intermediate period. RESULTS: The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was > 70% at 1 year, and reached 81.4% at 5 years when 97% of the patients had a %EWL > 50%. Comorbidities were cured or improved in all patients. CONCLUSION: DS was very effective for the treatment of the morbid obesity in the SO patients.

¿Está indicada la derivación gástrica profiláctica en la cirugía paliativa del cáncer de páncreas? / Is prophylactic gastroenterostomy indicated in palliative surgery for pancreating cancer?

Introducción. En la cirugía paliativa del adenocarcinoma pancreático, actualmente existe controversia sobre la necesidad de añadir una gastroenterostomía profiláctica a la derivación biliar. El objetivo es evaluar la morbimortalidad de la cirugía derivativa biliar frente a la cirugía derivativa biliar y gástrica simultáneas. Pacientes y método. Se estudiaron retrospectivamente 123 pacientes sometidos a intervención paliativa debido a ictericia obstructiva por adenocarcinoma pancreático. Se diferenciaron dos grupos: grupo A, formado por 74 pacientes con derivación biliar, y grupo B con 49 pacientes con derivación biliar y gastroentérica simultáneas. Resultados. La morbilidad postoperatoria en el grupo A fue del 13,5 por ciento frente al 30,6 por ciento del grupo B (p < 0,001). Precisó reintervención un paciente (1,3 por ciento) con fístula biliar externa en el grupo A, y cuatro, tres hemorragias digestivas y un absceso intraabdominal, en el grupo B. Los pacientes del grupo B presentaron enlentecimiento en el vaciamiento gástrico durante los primeros días del postoperatorio. La mortalidad postoperatoria fue del 8 por ciento en ambos grupos. Durante su evolución, en el grupo A se presentaron 13 casos (17,5 por ciento) de obstrucción duodenal, de los que 12 precisaron una gastroyeyunostomía transmesocólica (un paciente falleció antes de la intervención por su mala situación clínica). En el grupo B ningún paciente presentó obstrucción digestiva (p < 0,001 respecto al grupo A). La supervivencia fue semejante en ambos grupos. Conclusiones. La gastroenterostomía profiláctica reduce de forma estadísticamente significativa la necesidad de reintervención quirúrgica por obstrucción duodenal en los pacientes con cáncer de páncreas irresecable, aunque conlleva una mayor morbilidad postoperatoria (AU)

Malabsorptive procedures for severe obesity: comparison of pancreaticobiliary bypass and very very long limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of two malabsorptive procedures for severe obesity. Prospectively collected data from eight men and three women who underwent partial biliopancreatic bypass (PBB) and 19 men and seven women who underwent very very long limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (VVLGB) for superobesity (preoperative weight >225% above ideal body weight) were evaluated. Age (42 +/- 3 years and 40 +/- 2 years), body mass index (64 +/- 4 kg/m(2) and 67 +/- 3 kg/m(2)), and percentage of excess body weight (183% +/- 17% and 203% +/- 12%) were similar (mean +/- standard error of the mean). Median follow-up was 96 months (range 72 to 108 months) and 24 months (range 18 to 60 months) for the PBB and VVLGB groups, respectively. Weight loss expressed as percentage of excess body weight was 68% +/- 4% 2 years and 71% +/- 5% 4 years after PBB, and 53% +/- 7% 2 years and 57% +/- 5% 4 years after VVLGB. Current body mass indexes are 37 +/- 2 kg/m(2) and 42 +/- 2 kg/m(2) in the PBB and VVLGB groups, respectively. Hospital mortality was zero. Morbidity occurred in five patients after VVLGB (wound infection in four, wound seroma in one, and pulmonary embolus in one) and in two patients after PBB (abscess in two, anastomotic leak in one, and gastrointestinal bleeding in one). After PBB, one woman died of refractory liver failure 18 months postoperatively and two other patients developed metabolic bone disease. No such known complications have occurred to date after VVLGB. We conclude that VVLGB is safe and effective for clinically significant obesity, results in sustained weight loss, and improves quality of life.

Biliopancreatic diversion for treatment of morbid obesity: experience in 50 cases.

BACKGROUND: Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) by Scopinaro's method is an operation advocated by some surgeons as an effective treatment for morbid obesity. METHODS: Between February 1995 and April 1997 we performed BPD by Scopinaro's method on 50 patients with morbid obesity (23 males), average age 41.4 years (range 20-63 years), average body weight 135.08 kg (range 89-256 kg), mean body mass index (BMI) 50.65 kg/m2 (range 37.01-81.56 kg/m2). RESULTS: In all cases a gradual decrease in weight was obtained [mean BMI at 1 month: 44.8 kg/m2, at 6 months (31 patients): 35.09 kg/m2, at 1 year (23 patients): 31.36 kg/m2, at 18 months (14 patients): 29.89 kg/m2 and at 2 years (5 patients): 29.27 kg/m2]. At the same time a significant improvement in the pathological conditions associated with morbid obesity was observed. The patients were able to suspend oral antihypertensive and antidiabetic therapy as these parameters spontaneously returned to normal values by the sixth postoperative month; all cases showed a marked reduction in hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Postoperative complications were: one death (2%) on the third day due to heart failure; two late intestinal occlusions (4%); one acute dilatation of the stomach (2%); one peritonitis caused by early dehiscence of the anastomosis (2%); five anastomotic ulcers (10%); two cases of protein malnutrition (4%). CONCLUSIONS: BPD by Scopinaro's method is a bariatric procedure which is technically complex. However is it safe and reproducible and it induces a substantial weight loss.

Outcome of palliative biliary and gastric bypass surgery for pancreatic head carcinoma in 126 patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports of decreased morbidity and mortality following palliative surgery for patients with irresectable pancreatic head carcinoma prompted a review of the results in 126 patients (median age 64 (range 39-90) years) who had undergone palliative biliary and gastric bypass surgery. METHODS: The indication for surgical palliation was the finding of an irresectable tumour at laparotomy (n = 44), failure of endoscopic treatment (n = 43), clinical symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction (n = 28) and miscellaneous (n = 11). Biliary and gastric bypass was performed in 118 patients, biliary bypass alone in six and gastrojejunostomy alone in two. The indication for gastrojejunostomy was symptoms in 28 patients (23 per cent) and prophylaxis in 92 patients (77 per cent). RESULTS: Postoperative local complications occurred in 17 per cent of patients, general complications in 10 per cent and delayed gastric emptying in 14 per cent of patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 1 per cent and overall hospital mortality rate 2 per cent. Median hospital stay was 17 (range 5-80) days. Median overall postoperative survival was 190 (range 14-830) days. Late obstructive gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in 14 patients (11 per cent) after a median of 141 (range 21-356) days. CONCLUSION: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy combined with gastrojejunostomy offers effective palliation for irresectable pancreatic head cancer and can be performed with low mortality and acceptable morbidity rates.

Carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Morbidity and mortality of surgical procedures.

This retrospective study analyses the peri-operative morbidity and mortality of 165 patients presenting with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas over a 5-year period. Patients clinically fit for surgery (84%) were subdivided into three main groups, namely: group I (6%) underwent pancreaticoduodenal resection; group II (42%) had locoregionally advanced disease; and group III (36%) with metastatic disease. The latter group was subdivided into groups IIIa (22%) without ascites and IIIb (14%) with ascites. In the palliative groups (II and III), 61% underwent operative biliary drainage procedures, 33% a combined biliary drainage and a duodenal bypass procedure and 5% a duodenal bypass only. Obstructive jaundice recurred in 3% of cases after operative biliary drainage. Only 7% of patients required a duodenal bypass during follow-up. The mortality rates after surgery were 22% following pancreaticoduodenectomy (group I), 1.5% for the palliative procedures in group II, but 17% in group IIIa patients with metastatic disease without ascites and 83% when ascites was present (group IIIb). This study demonstrates that patients with ascites, although clinically fit for surgery, had a prohibitively high operative mortality rate and represented a subgroup of patients better treated by non-operative methods. Surgical drainage of the biliary system in all other cases had acceptably low morbidity and mortality rates. A prophylactic duodenal bypass is not mandatory.