Göran Ågren

Early Complications After Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery : Results From the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry

Objective:To identify risk factors for serious and specific early complications of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery using a large national cohort of patients. Background:Bariatric procedures are among the most common surgical procedures today. There is, however, still a need to identify preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for serious complications. Methods:From the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry database, we identified 26,173 patients undergoing primary laparoscopic gastric bypass operation for morbid obesity between May 1, 2007, and September 30, 2012. Follow-up on day 30 was 95.7%. Preoperative data and data from the operation were analyzed against serious postoperative complications and specific complications. Results:The overall risk of serious postoperative complications was 3.4%. Age (adjusted P = 0.028), other additional operation [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50; confidence interval (CI): 1.04–2.18], intraoperative adverse event (OR = 2.63; 1.89–3.66), and conversion to open surgery (OR = 4.12; CI: 2.47–6.89) were all risk factors for serious postoperative complications. Annual hospital volume affected the rate of serious postoperative complications. If the hospital was in a learning curve at the time of the operation, the risk for serious postoperative complications was higher (OR = 1.45; CI: 1.22–1.71). The 90-day mortality rate was 0.04%. Conclusions:Intraoperative adverse events and conversion to open surgery are the strongest risk factors for serious complications after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Annual operative volume and total institutional experience are important for the outcome. Patient related factors, in particular age, also increased the risk but to a lesser extent.

Closure of mesenteric defects in laparoscopic gastric bypass: a multicentre, randomised, parallel, open-label trial

BACKGROUND Small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia is a common and potentially serious complication after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Whether closure of surgically created mesenteric defects might reduce the incidence is unknown, so we did a large randomised trial to investigate. METHOD This study was a multicentre, randomised trial with a two-arm, parallel design done at 12 centres for bariatric surgery in Sweden. Patients planned for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery at any of the participating centres were offered inclusion. During the operation, a concealed envelope was opened and the patient was randomly assigned to either closure of mesenteric defects beneath the jejunojejunostomy and at Petersens space or non-closure. After surgery, assignment was open label. The main outcomes were reoperation for small bowel obstruction and severe postoperative complications. Outcome data and safety were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01137201. FINDINGS Between May 1, 2010, and Nov 14, 2011, 2507 patients were recruited to the study and randomly assigned to closure of the mesenteric defects (n=1259) or non-closure (n=1248). 2503 (99·8%) patients had follow-up for severe postoperative complications at day 30 and 2482 (99·0%) patients had follow-up for reoperation due to small bowel obstruction at 25 months. At 3 years after surgery, the cumulative incidence of reoperation because of small bowel obstruction was significantly reduced in the closure group (cumulative probability 0·055 for closure vs 0·102 for non-closure, hazard ratio 0·56, 95% CI 0·41-0·76, p=0·0002). Closure of mesenteric defects increased the risk for severe postoperative complications (54 [4·3%] for closure vs 35 [2·8%] for non-closure, odds ratio 1·55, 95% CI 1·01-2·39, p=0·044), mainly because of kinking of the jejunojejunostomy. INTERPRETATION The results of our study support the routine closure of the mesenteric defects in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. However, closure of the mesenteric defects might be associated with increased risk of early small bowel obstruction caused by kinking of the jejunojejunostomy. FUNDING Örebro County Council, Stockholm City Council, and the Erling-Persson Family Foundation.

Social and Economic Effects of Bariatric Surgery

One to 5 years after gastric restrictive surgery and subsequent weight loss, 79 bariatric surgery patients were compared with a similar group of 54 non-operated patients. The operated group had a significantly higher proportion of employment, more working hours, and a higher income. They were also more active in different physical and social activities and had a better sexual life. They required less medical care, had fewer days of sick leave or sick pension, and gave a much higher score in assessment of their general health. The results indicate that obesity surgery is highly cost-effective.

Intra-abdominal Hypertension—An Experimental Study of Early Effects on Intra-abdominal Metabolism

BACKGROUND The main aim of this experimental study was to investigate the early effects of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) on intra-abdominal metabolism and intestinal mucosal blood flow to evaluate whether metabolites can serve as markers for organ dysfunction during IAH. METHODS A swine model was used, and the animals were anesthetized and ventilated. Fifteen animals were subjected to IAH of 30 mm Hg for 4 hr by carbon dioxide insufflation. Seven animals served as controls. Hemodynamic data, arterial blood samples, and urine output were analyzed. Intraluminal laser Doppler flowmetry measured intestinal mucosal blood flow. Glucose, glycerol, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations and lactate-to-pyruvate (l/p) ratio were measured intraperitoneally and intramurally in the small intestine and rectum using microdialysis. RESULTS IAH lowered the abdominal perfusion pressure by 12-18 mm Hg, reduced the intestinal mucosal blood flow by 45-63%, and decreased urine output by 50-80%. In the intervention group, glycerol concentrations increased at all locations, pyruvate concentrations decreased, and the l/p ratio increased intraperitoneally and intramurally in the small intestine. Control animals remained metabolically stable. Glucose and lactate concentrations were only slightly affected or unchanged in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS IAH reduces intestinal blood flow and urinary output and causes early metabolic changes, indicating a discrete shift toward anaerobic metabolism. Intraperitoneal microdialysis may be useful in the early detection of impaired organ dysfunction with metabolic consequences in IAH and abdominal compartment syndrome.