David Edholm

Long-term results 11 years after primary gastric bypass in 384 patients

BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) as treatment of morbid obesity results in substantial weight loss. Most published long-term studies have included few patients at the last follow-up point. The aim of the present study was to explore long-term results in a large cohort of patients 7-17 years after gastric bypass. METHODS All 539 patients who had undergone primary RYGB from 1993 to 2003 at Uppsala and Örebro University Hospitals received a questionnaire regarding their postoperative status. Blood samples were obtained and the medical charts studied. RESULTS Of the 539 patients, 384 responded (71.2% response rate, mean age 37.9 yr, body mass index 44.5 kg/m(2) at surgery, 317 women, and 67 men). At a mean follow-up of 11.4 years (range 7-17), the body mass index had decreased to 32.5 kg/m(2), corresponding to an excess body mass index loss of 63.3%. Similar weight loss was observed, regardless of the length of follow-up. Orally treated diabetes resolved in 72% and sleep apnea and hyperlipidemia were improved. Revisional bariatric surgery had been performed in 2.1% and abdominoplasty in 40.2%. The gastrointestinal symptoms were considered tolerable. The overall result was satisfactory for 79% of the patients and 92% would recommend Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to a friend. Attendance to the annual checkups was 37%. Vitamin B12 supplements were taken by 72% and multivitamins by 24%. CONCLUSION At 11 years, substantial weight loss was maintained and revisional surgery was rare. Surprisingly few patients were compliant with the recommendation of lifelong supplements and yearly evaluations; however, patient satisfaction was high.

Changes in liver volume and body composition during 4 weeks of low calorie diet before laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND Weight loss before laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is desirable, because it can reduce liver volume and thereby facilitate the procedure. The optimal duration of a low-calorie diet (LCD) has not been established. The objective of this study was to assess changes in liver volume and body composition during 4 weeks of LCD. METHODS Ten women (aged 43±8.9 years, 114±12.1 kg, and body mass index 42±2.6 kg/m(2)) were examined on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after commencing the LCD. At each evaluation, body composition was assessed through bioelectric impedance analysis, and liver volume and intrahepatic fat content were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Serum and urine samples were obtained. Questionnaires regarding quality of life and LCD-related symptoms were administered. RESULTS In total, mean weight decreased by 7.4±1.2 kg (range 5.7-9.1 kg), and 71% of the weight loss consisted of fat mass according to bioelectric impedance analysis. From day 0 to day 3, the weight loss (2.0 kg) consisted mainly of water. Liver volume decreased by 18%±6.2%, from 2.1 to 1.7 liters (P<.01), during the first 2 weeks with no further change thereafter. A continuous 51%±16% decrease was seen in intrahepatic fat content. Systolic blood pressure, insulin, and lipids improved, while liver enzymes, glucose levels, and quality of life were unaffected. CONCLUSION A significant decrease in liver volume (18%) occurred during the first 2 weeks of LCD treatment, and intrahepatic fat gradually decreased throughout the study period. A preoperative 2-week LCD treatment seems sufficient in similar patients.

Comparison between circular- and linear-stapled gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass-a cohort from the Scandinavian Obesity Registry.

BACKGROUND Although laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is a common bariatric procedure worldwide, no consensus on the optimal technique for the gastrojejunostomy (GJ) has been reached. Circular stapling (CS) immediately results in a GJ of standardized width, whereas linear stapling (LS) requires a technically challenging closure of the stapler defect. The aim was to study differences in outcomes between CS and LS. SETTING Nationwide Swedish cohort. METHODS The Scandinavian Obesity Registry (SOReg) included prospective data from 34,284 primary LRYGB patients operated on in 2007-2013. We studied operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and percent excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) after 1 year. Outcomes were assessed through multivariate analysis adjusting for gender, age, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and diabetes. RESULTS Preoperatively the groups were similar (40.9 yr, BMI 42.4 kg/m(2), 76% female). For CS and LS, operative time and hospital stay were 114 and 73 minutes (P<.001) and 4.6 and 2.0 days (P<.001), respectively. Using LS as a reference, adjusted odds ratio (OR) for CS patients to have anastomotic leakage was 2.8 (95% CI 1.5-5.0), postoperative hemorrhage 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.9), wound complication 9.7 (95% CI 6.8-13.9), and marginal ulcer 3.1 (95% CI 1.8-5.3). The %EBMIL at 1 year was 80% for both techniques and 31% of total weight was lost. Follow-up rate at 6 weeks and 1 year was 96% and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSION CS was found to be associated with disadvantages regarding operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications compared with LS.

Twelve-year results for revisional gastric bypass after failed restrictive surgery in 131 patients

BACKGROUND Gastric banding (GB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) may result in unsatisfactory weight loss or intolerable side effects. Such outcomes are potential indications for additional bariatric surgery, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is frequently used at such revisions (rRYGB). The present study examined long-term results of rRYGB. METHODS In total, 175 patients who had undergone rRYGB between 1993 and 2003 at 2 university hospitals received a questionnaire regarding their current status. The questionnaire was returned by 131 patients (75% follow-up rate, 66 VBG and 65 GB patients). Blood samples were obtained and medical charts studied. The reason for conversion was mainly unsatisfactory weight loss among the VBG patients and intolerable side effects among GB patients. RESULTS The 131 patients (112 women), mean age 41.8 years at rRYGB, were evaluated at mean 11.9 years (range 7-17) after rRYGB. Mean body mass index of those with prior unsatisfactory weight loss was reduced from 40.1 kg/m(2) (range 28.7-52.2) to 32.6 kg/m(2) (range 19.1-50.2) (P<.01). Only 2 patients (2%) underwent additional bariatric surgery after rRYGB. The overall result was satisfactory for 74% of the patients. Only 21% of the patients adhered to the recommendation of lifelong multivitamin supplements while 76% took vitamin B12. Anemia was present in 18%. CONCLUSIONS rRYGB results in sustained weight loss and satisfied patients when VBG or GB have failed. Subsequent bariatric surgery was rare but micronutrient deficiencies were frequent.

Early intake of solid food after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and complications. A cohort study from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry

BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common bariatric procedure worldwide. There are few studies investigating how early return to solid food affects complications. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore how oral intake was resumed in RYGB patients and how the postoperative food regimen affects outcomes, such as complications and length of stay. SETTING Retrospective nationwide registry study. METHODS The Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry included prospective data from RYGB patients operated in 2009 to 2014. A questionnaire assessed the postoperative reintroduction of solid food applied at each bariatric center. The postoperative regimen was established in 23,589 patients. Outcomes were recorded at 30-day follow-up according to the standard Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry routine. RESULTS Nine percent of patients (n = 2074) returned to solid food within the first week after surgery. Most commonly solid food was resumed in week 4 (37%, n = 8659). Median length of stay was 2 days for all. Of all, 2.8% suffered from a severe complication (>Clavien-Dindo 3a). After adjusting for the annual volume of procedures at hospitals, there was no correlation that the timing of solid food affected complication rates. The odds ratio for a severe complication was significantly lower for intermediate- (odds ratio .64 95% confidence interval .48-.85) or high- (odds ratio .52 95% confidence interval .42-.66) volume centers. The rate of leaks and small bowel obstructions were evenly distributed between the different postoperative food regimens. CONCLUSION Early return to solid food after RYGB did not affect the risk of severe complications. Patients operated at centers with an annual volume of >100 procedures have a lower risk of severe complications.

Laparoscopy in Duodenal Switch : Safe and Halves Length of Stay in a Nationwide Cohort from the Scandinavian Obesity Registry.

Background and Aims: Unsatisfactory weight loss after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy in super-obese patients (body mass index > 50) is a growing concern. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch results in greater weight loss, but is technically challenging to perform, especially as a laparoscopic procedure (Lap-DS). The aim of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes of Lap-DS and the corresponding open procedure (O-DS) in Sweden. Material and Methods: The data source was a nationwide cohort from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry and 317 biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch patients (mean body mass index = 56.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2, 38.4 ± 10.2 years, and 57% females) were analyzed. Follow-up at 30 days was complete in 98% of patients. Results: The 53 Lap-DS patients were younger than the 264 patients undergoing O-DS (35.0 vs 39.1 years, p = 0.01). Operative time was 163 ± 38 min for lap-DS and 150 ± 31 min for O-DS, p = 0.01, with less bleeding in Lap-DS (94 vs 216 mL, p < 0.001). There was one conversion to open surgery. Patients undergoing Lap-DS had a shorter length of stay than O-DS, 3.3 versus 6.6 days, p = 0.02. No significant differences in overall complications within 30 days were seen (12% and 17%, respectively). Interestingly, the two leaks in Lap-DS were located at the entero-enteric anastomosis, while three out of four leaks in O-DS occurred at the top of the gastric tube. Conclusion: Lap-DS can be performed by dedicated bariatric surgeons as a single-stage procedure. The use of laparoscopic approach halved the length of stay, without increasing the risk for complications significantly. Any difference in long-term weight result is pending.

Acute caloric restriction counteracts hepatic bile acid and cholesterol deficiency in morbid obesity

Bile acid (BA) synthesis is regulated by BA signalling in the liver and by fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), synthesized and released from the intestine. In morbid obesity, faecal excretion and hepatic synthesis of BAs and cholesterol are strongly induced and caloric restriction reduces their faecal excretion considerably. We hypothesized that the high intestinal food mass in morbidly obese subjects promotes faecal excretion of BAs and cholesterol, thereby creating a shortage of both BAs and cholesterol in the liver.

Anastomotic techniques in open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: primary open surgery and converted procedures

BACKGROUND Open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may be chosen because of known widespread adhesions or as a result of conversion during laparoscopic surgery. Although conversions are rare, they occur even in experienced hands. The gastrojejunostomy may be performed with a circular stapler (CS) or a linear stapler (LS) or may be entirely hand sewn (HS). Our aim was to study differences in outcomes regarding the anastomotic techniques utilized in open surgery. SETTING Nationwide cohort. METHODS Data on open surgery, both primary open and converted procedures from Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry were analyzed for the years 2007-2013. Outcomes were assessed through multivariate analysis, adjusting for gender, age, preoperative body mass index, diabetes, conversion, and technique used for the gastrojejunostomy. RESULTS CS was the most common method used for primary open RYGB (58%), whereas LS was the most common for converted RYGB (63%). HS was uncommon in both groups. Operative time was shorter for LS than for CS in the primary open RYGB (110±40 min versus 132±46 min; P<.001). Anastomotic leakage rates were similar in primary open RYGB (1.0%-2.4%), but leakage rates for LS in converted procedures was 10.1%, thus higher compared with 2.1% in converted CS patients (P = .02). Odds ratio for leakage was 2.87 (95% confidence interval 1.18-6.97) for LS using CS as a reference when adjusting for variables above. CONCLUSION LS was associated to increased risk of leakage in patients with conversion from laparoscopic RYGB to open RYGB. Conversion to open surgery was associated to increased risk of leakage. Technique used for the gastrojejunostomy did not affect weight loss.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

The optimal treatment strategy for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains undetermined. This study compared outcomes in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for EAC.

Shorter overall operative time when barbed suture is used in primary laparoscopic gastric bypass: A cohort study of 25,006 cases

BACKGROUND Closing the remaining opening in a linear stapled anastomosis, for example in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), can be challenging. OBJECTIVES To evaluate if the novel unidirectional barbed suture (BS) is of value in LRYGB compared with polyfilament (PS) suture. We have compared operative time, early complications, and length of stay, as well as anastomotic strictures and small bowel obstruction during the first year. SETTING Retrospective study from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg). METHODS A nationwide cohort of 25,006 primary LRYGB (2211 BS and 22,795 PS) from SOReg were studied. No preoperative differences in age or gender were noted; however, BS patients had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) (41.3 versus 42.3 kg/m2, P<.001) and less diabetes (13.7% versus 15.4%, P = .03). RESULTS Total operative time was 11 minutes (16%) shorter using BS compared with PS (58 versus 69 minutes, P<.001), although the mesenteric openings were more frequently closed among BS patients (94% versus 71%, P<.001). No differences were seen in early complications; anastomotic leaks or intra-abdominal abscesses were noted in 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively, P = .17. The incidence of anastomotic strictures was similar (.13% versus .17%, P = .73) as was the incidence of surgery for small bowel obstruction (1.8% versus 1.6%, P = .69). CONCLUSIONS The use of barbed suture for closing the remaining opening in the gastrojejunostomy shortened the operative time without increasing the risk of complications. BS is still uncommon in LRYGB, but its implementation could have significant impact on operative time.