Abdulmajid Ali

Analysis of Health-Related Quality-of-Life Instruments Measuring the Impact of Bariatric Surgery

The worldwide prevalence of obesity has been steadily rising, reaching alarming levels. Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, carries significant health risks to the lives of affected patients, including physical, psychological, and social co-morbidities. Bariatric surgery provides the only effective and sustainable approach to treat morbid obesity and reverse its adverse effects.The reduction in well-being due to poor health in obesity may have adverse effects on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). There are numerous studies reporting HR-QOL in bariatric patients; however, there is a paucity of studies examining the psychometric properties of the HR-QOL instruments used. The main aim of this review is to identify the instruments used in assessing HR-QOL in bariatric patients and evaluate their content validity. We believe that this is the first systematic review of its kind to look in depth at various generic- and obesity-specific HR-QOL instruments that were used in bariatric surgery, and to analyze their content validity.A systematic and structured search of Ovid databases (1980–2009) was conducted using terms synonymous with bariatric surgery, combined with terms synonymous with HR-QOL instruments. A total of 112 relevant studies were identified, detailing the use of eight generic, nine obesity-specific, and numerous other condition-specific instruments.A conceptual framework comprising 20 domains pertinent to bariatric surgery and morbid obesity was proposed, against which the identified generic- and obesity-specific instruments were assessed. The results of this assessment showed that neither the generic nor the specific instruments were adequate instruments in terms of content validity.Given the lack of adequate HR-QOL instruments in the rapidly developing field of bariatric surgery, we suggest building a new bariatric-specific instrument informed by the proposed framework, which will then enable clinicians to assess the full impact of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery on HR-QOL.

Economic evaluation of bariatric surgery to combat morbid obesity: a study from the West of Scotland.

The increasing prevalence of obesity has now become a global concern. Forecasts of its health and financial ramifications have prompted the need for effective interventions. Bariatric surgery is an effective measure to control obesity and its related comorbidities, but its high upfront costs have raised questions about its cost‐effectiveness. In this study we evaluated the health care‐related direct cost savings after bariatric surgery.

Re-do Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in a Patient with Known Midgut Malrotation

Midgut malrotation is a rare congenital anomaly, which is not a contraindication to weight loss surgery for a surgeon with advanced skills and knowledge of anatomical variations.

Short-term outcome and quality of life of endoscopically placed gastric balloon and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band.

Background/Aim: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to describe short-term outcome and quality of life (QOL) of endoscopically placed gastric balloon (EPGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB). Materials and Methods: Forty seven consecutive patients with body mass index (BMI) of 42 to 72 kg/m2 were assigned to undergo EPGB (n=17) or LAGB (n=30) between May 2008 and May 2010. The main measured outcomes included weight loss, resolution or improvement of comorbidities, hospital stay, complications and QOL. Results: Patients were followed up for a mean of 14 months. Hospital stay was shorter for EPGB patients (one versus two days, P<0.001). Early postoperative complications recorded in EPGB were minor including nausea and vomiting. No late complications were recorded in the EPGB group. One case of band slippage was reported in the LAGB group and fixed laparoscopically. Percent excess weight loss was less in EPGB compared to LAGB (26.2% versus 44.0%, P=0.004). Resolution or improvement of comorbidities was comparable in both groups. The globally impaired preoperative quality of life showed considerable improvement in both groups. Conclusion: EPGB is a safe and effective approach in short-term management of morbid obesity. Weight loss, resolution of comorbidities and improvement in QOL were comparable between both groups.

Laparoscopic Repair of Intrathoracic Stomach: Clinical and Health-related Quality of Life Outcomes.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and quality of health outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic repair of intrathoracic stomach with or without gastric volvulus. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2013, a prospectively maintained data, of patients undergoing surgical repair of intrathoracic stomach, with or without gastric volvulus, was reviewed. Patient demographics, ASA grade, diagnostic technique, semiurgent/emergency status, type of volvulus if present, details of surgery and perioperative complications were recorded. Validated SF-36 questionnaires were completed by patients to record preoperative and postoperative quality of life (QoL) status. Patients managed by nonoperative measures were excluded from the study. Results: Thirty patients were identified with intrathoracic stomach. Fourteen patients had gastric volvulus. Twenty-seven patients (10 emergency, 17 semiurgent) underwent laparoscopic repair of intrathoracic stomach and were included in the study. Mean operating time was 156 (SD, 37.5; range, 105 to 230) minutes. All 27 operations were completed by laparoscopic approach. There was no conversion to open procedure or mortality at 30 days. Mean hospital stay was 5.2 (range, 1 to 15) days. There were 3 (11%) early postoperative complications. One (3.7%) patient developed recurrence at 2 years which required reoperation. Mean follow-up was 10.5 (range, 1 to 36) months. ASA grade and operative time determined the postoperative hospital stay (P=0.001, 0.001, respectively), whereas body mass index and age were shown to have no influence. Patient-reported QoL scores improved across all scales of the health questionnaire after surgery especially bodily pain, social functioning, and physical functioning. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment option for intrathoracic stomach, with or without gastric volvulus. It is associated with low rates of complications and recurrence. Self-reported patient data shows significant improvement to overall QoL after surgery for intrathoracic stomach.

Bariatric Surgery and Health-Related Quality of Life

Morbid obesity carries significant risks to the lives of affected individuals, including physical, psychological, and social comorbidities. In addition, the prevalence of obesity in the world has been steadily rising, straining the already exhausted medical care systems. Nonsurgical approaches have been tried; however, bariatric surgery provides the only effective and sustainable approach to treat morbid obesity and reverse its adverse effects.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and bariatric surgery: a literature review and a presentation of two cases

Abstract Objective: There is paucity of data concerning the impact of bariatric surgery on idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We therefore present the clinical course of two cases that were managed at our centre, which is a regional referral centre for bariatric surgery and present a literature review of patients with IIH who underwent bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity. Method: Two patients were referred for bariatric surgery who were both morbidly obese and were diagnosed with IIH. One patient underwent bariatric surgery; the other patient’s weight was managed conservatively. We followed up both patients for 2 years. PubMed was searched for published studies of patients with IIH undergoing bariatric surgery. Results: The patient that underwent weight loss surgery achieved sustained weight loss from 108kg to 87kg and gross resolution of their symptoms. The patient whose weight was managed conservatively lost weight initially and then put the weight back on. Her IIH symptoms persisted despite CSF shunt therapy. The literature review identified 12 original studies, containing 51 patients. Weight loss after bariatric surgery was reported for 84% of patients and improvement or resolution of IIH symptoms was reported for 84% of patients. Conclusion: In light of the literature review and our experience, bariatric surgery appears to be a potential treatment option for IIH alongside the comorbidities associated with obesity. However, more robust studies are needed.

Laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with Parkinson’s disease:

Introduction Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is rare cause of intestinal obstruction. We report an unusual case of a patient with Parkinson’s disease who developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome and discuss her management including laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Case presentation A 78-year-old patient with advanced Parkinson’s disease presented with significant malnutrition, vomiting and post-prandial abdominal pain. Computed tomography confirmed duodenal compression by the superior mesenteric artery. We hypothesised this was likely triggered by extreme weight loss associated with advanced Parkinson’s disease. As the patient failed to improve with conservative measures, laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis was successfully performed without complications and the patient discharged on day 7. Conclusion Successful treatment was achieved due to early recognition of the consequences of chronic illness and addressing malnutrition. From this experience, we propose that laparoscopic gastric bypass is a safe and minimally invasive effective treatment option for superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in Ayrshire, Scotland: a comparison of two age cohorts

Background and aims There is an increased trend in prevalence of pancreato-biliary disease in the elderly population. Consequently there is an increasing demand for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aims of this study were to compare ERCP outcomes in patients over 80 with those aged between 60 and 79 years and with the published literature. Methods and results Data were collected from a prospectively maintained database. All patients over the age of 60 years who underwent ERCP from May 2010 to May 2012 were identified. Two cohorts were formed, group A: 60–79 years (n = 66) and group B: > 80 years old (n = 49). Data on indications for ERCP, outcome, complications and repeat procedures were collected. One hundred and fifteen patients between the age of 60 and 92 years were identified. Group A had a total of 89 ERCPs and group B 69. Cannulation, overall procedure success, complication and mortality rates were comparable between both groups. Group B contained two cases of perforation with one associated mortality (1.4%) which did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions ERCP in octogenarians is safe and effective when compared to patients aged 60–79.

Simple technique to manage redundant skin after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

The redundant skin left behind after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair overlies a dead space that is a potential site for seroma formation. This predisposes patients to surgical‐site infection and compromises the cosmetic outcome of the procedure, which is a key feature of the minimally invasive approach. We present a simple technique to deal with this problem.