Miguel F. Herrera

Pressure-induced Rhabdomyolysis after Bariatric Surgery

Rhabdomyolisis most commonly occurs after muscle injury, alcohol ingestion, drug intake and exhaustive exercise. Prolonged muscle compression at the time of surgery may produce this complication. Obesity has been reported as a risk factor for pressure-induced rhabdomyolysis, but no reports associated with bariatric surgery could be found in the literature. We report 3 superobese patients who developed rhabdomyolysis after bariatric surgery. This complication was attributed to direct and prolonged pressure of the bed against the dorsal and gluteal muscles.

Intra-abdominal vagal blocking (VBLOC therapy): Clinical results with a new implantable medical device

BACKGROUND A new medical device uses high-frequency electrical algorithms to create intermittent vagal blocking (VBLOC therapy). The aim is to assess the effects of vagal blocking on excess weight loss (EWL), safety, dietary intake, and vagal function. METHODS An open-label, 3-center study was conducted in obese subjects (body mass index [BMI] 35-50 kg/m(2)). Electrodes were implanted laparoscopically on both vagi near the esophagogastric junction to provide electrical block. Patients were followed for 6 months for body weight, safety, electrocardiogram, dietary intake, satiation, satiety, and plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) response to sham feeding. To specifically assess device effects alone, no diet or exercise programs were instituted. RESULTS Thirty-one patients (mean BMI, 41.2 +/- 1.4 kg/m(2)) received the device. Mean EWL at 4 and 12 weeks and 6 months after implant was 7.5%, 11.6%, and 14.2%, respectively (all P < .001); 25% of patients lost >25% EWL at 6 months (maximum, 36.8%). There were no deaths or device-related serious adverse events (AEs). Calorie intake decreased by >30% at 4 and 12 weeks and 6 months (all P <or= .01), with earlier satiation (P < .001) and reduced hunger (P = .005). After 12 weeks, plasma PP responses were suppressed (20 +/- 7 vs 42 +/- 19 pg/mL). Average percent EWL in patients with PP response <25 pg/mL was double that with PP response >25 pg/mL (P = .02). Three patients had serious AEs that required brief hospitalization, 1 each for lower respiratory tract, subcutaneous implant site seroma, and Clostridium difficile diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS Intermittent, intra-abdominal vagal blocking is associated with significant EWL and a desirable safety profile.

Effect of Bariatric surgery on Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome, electrocardiogram, and pulmonary arterial pressure

Background: We evaluated the impact of surgically-induced weight loss on Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS), electrocardiographic changes, pulmonary arterial pressure and daytime sleepiness in morbidly obese patients. Methods: 16 women and 13 men (n=29) underwent bariatric surgery in a 3-year period. The following tests were performed before and 1 year after surgery: nocturnal polysomnography, daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and echocardiogram. Results: Mean age was 37.9±11 years (range 20-56). Preoperative body mass index was 56.5±12.3 kg/m2 and it was 39.2±8.5 kg/m2 at 13.7±6.6 months follow-up. Performed surgical procedures included: vertical banded gastroplasty in 6, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 12, and Distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 11. Weight loss induced by surgery eliminated OSAHS in 46% of obese patients with an important improvement in oxygen saturation. Neck, thorax, waist and hip circumferences decreased significantly after surgical intervention but only neck circumference correlated significantly with the apnea/hypopnea index (Spearman rho=0.63, P <0.0001). Electrocardiographic abnormalities were present in 9 patients (31%) before surgery (sinus arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmias, and sinus arrest). The number of electrocardiographic abnormalities decreased after surgery but new abnormalities appeared in some patients. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure significantly decreased in the group of patients in whom OSAHS disappeared after surgery. Daytime sleepiness persisted after surgery in most patients. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery effectively reduces respiratory disturbances during sleep and improves pulmonary hypertension. Electro cardiographic abnormalities change after surgery. Daytime sleepiness appeared not to be related to respiratory disturbances during sleep.

Videolaparoscopic Resection of Insulinomas: Experience in Two Institutions

Abstract Laparoscopic resection of islet cell tumors has been performed in some selected cases. The aim of the study was to analyze the experience of two institutions in the laparoscopic management of insulinomas. In a 4-year period, videolaparoscopic resection of sporadic insulinomas was performed in 9 patients. All patients had hypoglycemia/hyperinsulinism and a solitary tumor demonstrated by image studies. Demographics, surgical findings, results, and complications were analyzed. Mean age of the patients was 43 years. One patient was male and eight were females. One tumor was located in the head of the pancreas, 4 in the body, and 4 in the tail. Laparoscopic resection was completed in all patients. Procedures included 4 enucleations and 5 distal pancreatectomies. Pancreatic resection with splenic preservation was achieved in 4 cases. Intraoperative ultrasound was used in 7 patients. Mean size of the tumors was 1.6 cm. All patients became normoglycemic after surgery. Complications included one pancreatic fistula, one pleural effusion, and one peripancreatic fluid collection. All resolved spontaneously. In a follow-up period between 3 and 48 months no evidence of recurrence has been observed. This series supports laparoscopic resection of preoperatively localized benign solitary insulinomas. The operation provides the advantages of minimally invasive surgery and can be safely performed in most cases.

Quality of Life in Bariatric Surgery

Background: Bariatric surgery is the treatment of choice for morbid obesity.Since bariatric operations alter gastrointestinal anatomy, they may induce symptoms that have a negative impact on quality of life (QOL).The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze QOL after bariatric surgery. Methods: The QOL index questionnaire (GIQLI) was applied to 45 surgically treated morbidly obese patients (15 vertical banded gastroplasty, 15 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), and 15 distal RYGBP) and to 15 non-operated morbidly obese controls. Follow-up was of 1-year minimum. The GIQLI evaluates physical and mental well-being, digestion and bowel habits. Results: Physical and mental well-being as well as the overall QOL were significantly higher in the operated patients. There were no significant differences in digestion and bowel habits between the groups. Differences in QOL were not related to the type of surgical procedure. Conclusion. Overall QOL was significantly better in operated than in non-operated patients. There is no negative impact of bariatric surgery on QOL related to GI symptoms.

Potential additional effect of omentectomy on metabolic syndrome, acute-phase reactants, and inflammatory mediators in grade III obese patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE To assess the additional effect of sudden visceral fat reduction by omentectomy on metabolic syndrome, acute-phase reactants, and inflammatory mediators in patients with grade III obesity (G-III O) undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty-two patients were randomized into two groups, LRYGB alone or with omentectomy. Levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, leptin, adiponectin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as clinical characteristics, were evaluated before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results were compared between groups. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. Mean operative time was significantly higher in the group of patients who underwent omentectomy (P < 0.001). Median weight of the omentum was 795 ± 341 g. In one patient, a duodenal perforation occurred at the time of omentectomy. BMI, blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides significantly improved in both groups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up when compared with basal values. However, there were no consistent statistically significant differences among the groups in terms of metabolic syndrome components, acute-phase reactants, and inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS Omentectomy does not have an ancillary short-term significant impact on the components of metabolic syndrome and does not induce important changes in the inflammatory mediators in patients undergoing LRYGB. Operative time is more prolonged when omentectomy is performed.

Clinical behavior and prognostic factors of periampullary adenocarcinoma

ObjectiveThe authors evaluated the outcome and potential prognostic factors of 60 patients with surgically resected periampullary tumors. Summary Background DataPeriampullary carcinomas exhibit different clinical behaviors according to their site of origin. There are no prognostic factors for deciding the type of surgery to be used or for choosing patients with tumors that have a poor prognosis for adjuvant treatment. MethodsA retrospective review was performed of 15 clinical and pathologic variables encountered among 60 patients with periampullary tumors. Tumors were divided into four groups according to their site of origin. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the four groups were plotted and differences were evaluated with the log-rank test. Coxs proportional hazards model was used to test for separate and combined independent predictors of disease-free survival. ResultsTwenty-nine ampullary carcinomas, 20 ductal pancreatic carcinomas, 7 distal common bile duct carcinomas, and 4 carcinomas of the periampullary duodenum were found. Five-year disease-free survival was 43%, 0%, 0%, and 75%, respectively. According to the Cox analysis, absence of neural invasion and use of adjuvant chemotherapy were significant factors for longer survival of patients with ampullary tumors. Lymphatic invasion was related to a shorter survival in patients with pancreatic carcinoma. ConclusionsFive-year disease-free survival of patients with periampullary tumors is related to tumor type. Prognosis was better for ampullary tumors if neural invasion was absent and if adjuvant chemotherapy was used. Lymphatic invasion was associated with a shorter recurrence-free survival among patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

Anesthesia for Morbidly Obese Patients

Abstract. Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for treating patients with morbid obesity, and participation of the anesthesiologist in the treatment of these patients is more and more frequent. Therefore it is important for anesthesiologists to be familiar with anatomic and physiologic implications and the pharmacologic changes associated with obesity, so they can offer optimal perioperative treatment. The present study describes a series of 37 patients with an average body mass index of 50.3 kg/m 2 who underwent bariatric surgery in a third-level teaching hospital in Mexico City. Preoperative assessment, airway management, perioperative treatment, and the incidence of complications are analyzed. We found a high frequency of associated diseases, among which diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension were the most prominent. Cardiorespiratory complications such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and obesity-hypoventilation syndrome were particularly frequent (16.2% and 22.0%, respectively). Both general anesthesia and mixed anesthesia (peridural block plus light general anesthesia) were employed. The incidence of complications related to perioperative and anesthetic management was low. We discuss and propose protocols for the evaluation and management of airway and associated cardiorespiratory complications.

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has been proposed as a substitute to open splenectomy (OS) in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The aim of this study was to compare two cohorts of patients with ITP who underwent OS or LS. PATIENTS AND METHODS From February 1990 to January 1997, 27 patients underwent OS and 22 LS. Perioperative characteristics, outcomes, and complications were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS Mean age was 38 years (+/- 16) in the OS group, and 39 (+/- 16) in the LS group; the male: female ratio was 1:2 in both groups. Median preoperative platelet count was 16 x 10(9)/L (range 2 to 186 x 10(9)/L) in the OS group, and 50 x 10(9)/L (2 to 241 x 10(9)/L) in the LS group. Mean operative time was 2.7 hours (+/- 0.7) for OS, and 4.5 hours (+/- 1) for LS (P <0.0001). Two conversions to laparotomy occurred in the LS group. A total of 14 complications occurred in 10 patients of the OS group; 8 complications occurred in 6 patients of the LS group. Two patients died in the OS group and 1 in the LS group. Mean postoperative discharge was 6 days (3 to 44) in the OS group and 4 days (2 to 11) in the LS group (P <0.02). Response rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic splenectomy is comparable to OS in terms of efficacy and safety, and it is associated with a shorter hospital stay.

Vagal Blocking Improves Glycemic Control and Elevated Blood Pressure in Obese Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background. An active device that downregulates abdominal vagal signalling has resulted in significant weight loss in feasibility studies. Objective. To prospectively evaluate the effect of intermittent vagal blocking (VBLOC) on weight loss, glycemic control, and blood pressure (BP) in obese subjects with DM2. Methods. Twenty-eight subjects were implanted with a VBLOC device (Maestro Rechargeable System) at 5 centers in an open-label study. Effects on weight loss, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and BP were evaluated at 1 week to 12 months. Results. 26 subjects (17 females/9 males, 51 ± 2 years, BMI 37 ± 1 kg/m2, mean ± SEM) completed 12 months followup. One serious adverse event (pain at implant site) was easily resolved. At 1 week and 12 months, mean excess weight loss percentages (% EWL) were 9 ± 1% and 25 ± 4% (P < 0.0001), and HbA1c declined by 0.3 ± 0.1% and 1.0 ± 0.2% (P = 0.02, baseline 7.8 ± 0.2%). In DM2 subjects with elevated BP (n = 15), mean arterial pressure reduced by 7 ± 3 mmHg and 8 ± 3 mmHg (P = 0.04, baseline 100 ± 2 mmHg) at 1 week and 12 months. All subjects MAP decreased by 3 ± 2 mmHg (baseline 95 ± 2 mmHg) at 12 months. Conclusions. VBLOC was safe in obese DM2 subjects and associated with meaningful weight loss, early and sustained improvements in HbA1c, and reductions in BP in hypertensive DM2 subjects. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00555958.