Michelle A. Mathiason

Impact of perinatal weight change on long-term obesity and obesity-related illnesses

Objective: To estimate the impact of perinatal weight change on obesity, weight gain, and development of obesity-related illnesses 15 years after pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnancy-related factors and weights of 795 women were recorded at first prenatal visit and 6 months postpartum and were available through medical record review at 4, 10, and 15 years. Obesity-related illnesses were recorded 15 years later. RESULTS: A total of 484 (61%) original cohort members were available for follow-up. Weight gain during pregnancy, weight loss by 6 months postpartum, and baseline body mass index (BMI) were all related to current BMI and weight gain at follow-up. Women who breastfed beyond 12 weeks and participated in postpartum aerobic exercise had lower BMI and weight gain 15 years later. By follow-up, 13% had developed diabetes or prediabetes. Thirty percent had developed heart disease, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Baseline BMI and weight change over 15 years were significant predictors of both diseases. Smoking status at last follow-up was also a significant predictor of heart disease or pre–heart disease. CONCLUSION: Excess pregnancy weight gain and failure to lose weight in an appreciable time are indicators of obesity in midlife. Excess weight gain and obesity status are predictors of diabetes and heart disease, although pregnancy-related weight changes alone are not directly related. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II-2

Early cost and safety benefits of an inpatient electronic health record

There is controversy over the impact of electronic health record (EHR) systems on cost of care and safety. The authors studied the effects of an inpatient EHR system with computerized provider order entry on selected measures of cost of care and safety. Laboratory tests per week per hospitalization decreased from 13.9 to 11.4 (18%; p < 0.001). Radiology examinations per hospitalization decreased from 2.06 to 1.93 (6.3%; p < 0.009). Monthly transcription costs declined from

Primary Testicular Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Population-Based Study on the Incidence, Natural History, and Survival Comparison With Primary Nodal Counterpart Before and After the Introduction of Rituximab

74,596 to

Effect of preoperative weight loss on laparoscopic gastric bypass outcomes

18,938 (74.6%; p < 0.001). Reams of copy paper ordered per month decreased from 1668 to 1224 (26.6%; p < 0.001). Medication errors per 1000 hospital days decreased from 17.9 to 15.4 (14.0%; p < 0.030), while near misses per 1000 hospital days increased from 9.0 to 12.5 (38.9%; p < 0.037), and the percentage of medication events that were medication errors decreased from 66.5% to 55.2% (p < 0.007). In this manuscript, we demonstrate that the implementation of an inpatient EHR with computerized provider order entry can result in rapid improvement in measures of cost of care and safety.

Training of a Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgeon: Are Laparoscopic Fellowships the Answer?

PURPOSE We performed a population-based study of primary testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the United States to determine its incidence and survival trends, prognostic factors, and clinical outcome compared with males with nodal DLBCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was reviewed to identify patients diagnosed between 1980 and 2005. To study the potential impact of the introduction of rituximab on survival, we used the year 2000 as cutoff point. RESULTS We identified 769 patients with testicular DLBCL. The median age at diagnosis was 68.0 years. The incidence of DLBCL increased over time, with the highest rate among whites (twice that of blacks). The median overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 4.6 years, whereas the disease-specific survival (DSS) rates at 3, 5, and 15 years were 71.5%, 62.4%, and 43.0%, respectively. Independent predictors of worse DSS were older age, diagnosis before 1986, advanced stage, left testicular involvement, and not having surgery and radiation. The use of radiation did not change significantly over time. When testicular and nodal DLBCL patients were analyzed together, testicular primary was an independent predictor of better OS and DSS. Unlike nodal DLBCL, DSS did not improve in the patients with testicular DLBCL diagnosed after the year 2000. CONCLUSION The incidence of testicular DLBCL is increasing. Compared with nodal DLBCL, testicular DLBCL patients have a better overall prognosis but are at higher risk of late disease-related deaths. The introduction of rituximab in clinical practice does not seem to improve their early outcome.

Incidence, Treatment, and Outcomes of Iron Deficiency after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A 10-Year Analysis

BACKGROUND Requiring patients to lose weight before weight reduction surgery is controversial. The goal of this study was to determine whether preoperative weight loss affects laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery outcomes. METHODS The medical records of all laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients from September 1, 2001 to March 31, 2005 were retrospectively reviewed in our prospective database. Depending on their habitus, patients were selectively required to lose >4.54 kg (10 lb) preoperatively (WL group). Their outcomes were compared with those of the patients not required to lose weight preoperatively (no-WL group). Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test and Students t test for demographic data. Students t test was used to assess the outcome data. P <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Of the 353 patients, 74 (21%) were in the WL group. The operative times in the WL group averaged 10 minutes longer than in the no-WL group (P = .022). The mean length of stay was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Of the 353 patients, 262 (74%) completed 1 year of follow-up. The mean net postoperative weight loss was not significantly different between the 2 groups. The no-WL patients had a greater percentage of excess postoperative weight loss than the WL group (74% versus 66%; P = .01). Net complications occurred less frequently in the WL group (P = .035). CONCLUSION Preoperative weight loss did not decrease the operative times or the length of stay. Preoperative weight loss increased neither the mean net postoperative weight loss nor the percentage of excess postoperative weight loss at 1-year follow-up. However, the WL group had fewer net complications.

Ascorbic acid deficiency in bariatric surgical population.

Background: Fellowships in advanced laparoscopy with emphasis in laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) are available for obtaining experience in performing LGBP. The following is the first report in the literature prospectively documenting a single surgeons experience with LGBP outcomes following completion of an advanced laparoscopic surgical fellowship. Methods: Outcomes measured prospectively included length of stay, length of operation, complications, reduction in obesity-related co-morbidities, and percentage excess weight loss. Outcomes were analyzed by quartile to see if there was a difference over time. Complications were also compared to outcomes in the literature. Results: 175 patients (147 female, 28 male) underwent LGBP. The mean BMI was 49.2. Mean operative time was 123 minutes, and mean length of stay was 2.2 days. The percentage excess weight loss at 1 year was 73% (n = 79). One patient developed an internal hernia (0.6%) and 1 patient developed an anastomotic leak (0.6%). Postoperative transfusion rate was 4.6%. There were no deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli detected. There were no conversions to open, and there was no mortality. Upon quartile analysis, there was no difference in complication rates. Complication rates were comparable to published outcomes in the literature. Conclusion: Fellowships in advanced laparoscopy with emphasis on LGBP provide the optimal training environment for acquisition of skills necessary to safely and effectively perform LGBP. With fellowship training, complication rates were comparable to published outcomes in the literature without a period of higher complications (the learning curve).

Does obesity impact lymph node retrieval in colon cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) can lead to iron malabsorption through exclusion of the duodenum and proximal jejunum, decreased gastric acidity, and modified diet. Intravenous (IV) iron is a treatment for severe iron deficiency, but the incidence of iron deficiency and the frequency of treatment with IV iron after LRYGB are largely unknown. Our objective was to determine the incidence of iron deficiency and the frequency of IV iron administration after LRYGB. STUDY DESIGN After obtaining IRB approval, the medical records of patients who underwent LRYGB from September 2001 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria consisted of determination of at least 1 ferritin value after surgery. Patients were grouped by level of iron deficiency. Patients with at least 1 ferritin <50 ng/mL were considered iron deficient. Statistical analysis included ANOVA. RESULTS There were 959 patients included; 84.9% were female. Mean age was 43.8 years, and preoperative body mass index was 47.4 kg/m(2). Four hundred ninety-two (51.3%) patients were iron deficient. Of these, 40.9% were severely iron deficient, with a ferritin <30 ng/mL. Intravenous iron was required by 6.7%. After IV iron therapy, 53% had improvement in hemoglobin and ferritin values, and 39% had improvement in ferritin values only. CONCLUSIONS Given the incidence of iron deficiency after LRYGB observed in our series, patients should have iron status monitored carefully by all providers and be appropriately referred for treatment. Female patients should be counseled that there is a 50% chance they will become iron deficient after LRYGB.

Determination of the Peritoneal Reflection Using Intraoperative Proctoscopy

BACKGROUND To determine the prevalence of ascorbic acid deficiency in the surgical population, whether the body mass index (BMI) has an effect on ascorbic acid concentrations; and whether an association exists between ascorbic acid deficiency and adverse surgical outcomes. METHODS Preoperative plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were prospectively assessed in 20-60-year-old patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Ascorbic acid deficiency was defined as any concentration < or =0.3 mg/dL and depletion as any concentration >0.3-0.59 mg/dL. RESULTS Of the 266 patients evaluated, 167 had a BMI > or =35 kg/m(2). A greater BMI was associated with lower mean ascorbic acid concentrations (P = .021). Of the 266 patients, 96 (36%) had abnormally low ascorbic acid concentrations, with 57 (21%) depleted and 39 (15%) deficient. The factors associated with decreased mean ascorbic acid concentrations included younger age (P = .004) and limited vegetable and fruit intake (P = .026). Ascorbic acid supplementation was associated with lower depletion and deficiency rates (P = .001). CONCLUSION Ascorbic acid depletion and deficiency occur within the surgical population. The contributing factors included younger age, limited intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of vitamin supplementation, and greater BMI. Low concentrations of ascorbic acid did not affect the surgical outcome.

Changing Trends and Outcomes in the Use of Percutaneous Cholecystostomy Tubes for Acute Cholecystitis

BACKGROUND Evaluation of lymph nodes is important for the optimal treatment of colon adenocarcinoma. Few studies have assessed whether lymph node harvest is compromised by obesity. We hypothesized that lymph node retrieval in colon cancer resection would be reduced in obese patients. METHODS Patients undergoing resection for colon adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2007 were reviewed retrospectively and stratified by body mass index (BMI). Lymph node harvest was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 401 patients were included. Their mean age was 72.8 years, and 44% were men. Their mean BMI was 28.2 kg/m(2). Mean lymph node recovery among BMI groups was as follows: BMI less than 18.5 was 20.6; BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 was 25.1; BMI of 25 to 29.9 was 23.1; BMI of 30 to 34.9 was 22.4; BMI of 35 to 39.9 was 19.0; and BMI of 40 or greater was 21.1 nodes (P = .321). Surgical time increased with increasing BMI (P = .005). Adequacy of node harvest differed by stage (P = .007), left-sided versus right-sided resections (P = .001), and pathology technician (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Lymph node retrieval was not affected by BMI.