Subhash Kini

The early effect of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on hormones involved in body weight regulation and glucose metabolism

Objective:To evaluate the early effect of Roux-en-Y (RYGB) gastric bypass on hormones involved in body weight regulation and glucose metabolism. Significant Background Data:The RYGB is an effective bariatric procedure for which the mechanism of action has not been elucidated yet. Reports of hormonal changes after RYGB suggest a possible endocrine effect of the operation; however, it is unknown whether these changes are the cause or rather the effect of surgically induced weight loss. We speculated that if the mechanism of action of the RYGB involves an endocrine effect, then hormonal changes should occur early after surgery, prior to substantial body weight changes. Methods:Ten patients with a mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) of 46.2 kg/m2 (40–53 kg/m2) underwent laparoscopic RYGB. Six patients had type 2 diabetes treated by oral hypoglycemic agents. Preoperatively and 3 weeks following surgery, all patients were tested for fasting glucose, insulin, glucagon, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Results:Changes in mean BMI were rather minimal (43.2 kg/m2; P = not significant), but there was a significant decrease in blood glucose (P = 0.005), insulin (P = 0.02), IGF-1 (P < 0.05), leptin (P = 0.001), and an increase in ACTH levels (P = 0.01). The other hormones were not significantly changed by surgery. All the 6 diabetic patients had normal glucose and insulin levels and did not require medications after surgery. The RYGB reduced GIP levels in diabetic patients (P < 0.01), whereas no changes in GIP levels were found in nondiabetics. Conclusions:Roux-en-Y gastric bypass determines considerable hormonal changes before significant BMI changes take place. These results support the hypothesis of an endocrine effect as the possible mechanism of action of RYGB.

Nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery: what have we learned?

Deficiencies in vitamins and other nutrients are common following the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS), and may become clinically significant if not recognized and treated with supplementation. This paper presents a review of the current literature and evidence of the most commonly deficient vitamins and minerals following weight loss surgery, including protein, iron, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and other micronutrients. The deficiencies appear to be more substantial following malabsorptive procedures such as BPD, but occur with restrictive procedures as well. The review suggests that further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of the nutritional deficiencies, and to determine guidelines for supplementation.

Laparoscopic Reoperative Bariatric Surgery: Experience from 27 Consecutive Patients

Background: 10 to 25% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery will require a revision, either for unsatisfactory weight loss or for complications. Reoperation is associated with a higher morbidity and has traditionally been done in open fashion.The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of reoperative surgery using a laparoscopic approach. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records over a 22-month period was conducted. 27 consecutive obesity surgery patients, who had undergone a laparoscopic revision, were identified. 26 of the 27 patients were women. The average age was 40.3 years (range 20 to 58 years) and average original preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 51.6 kg/m2 (range 42 to 66.5).The 27 primary bariatric operations consisted of vertical banded gastroplasty (12), gastric band placement (9) and gastric bypass (6). 17 of them were open procedures. After the primary surgery, the lowest average BMI was 37.6 kg/m2 (range 21 to 52), which increased to 42.7 kg/m2 (range 29 to 56) before reoperation. 24 of the 27 reoperations were indicated for insufficient weight loss. On average, revision was undertaken 52 months after the primary procedure (range 12 to 240 months). Results: 24 of the 27 laparoscopic reoperations were conversions to a gastric bypass. A second reoperation was indicated for insufficient weight loss on four occasions. In one case, conversion to open surgery was required. The average operative time was 232 ± 18.5 minutes (range 120 to 480) and length of hospital stay was 3.7 days (range 1 to 9). 22% percent of patients (6) experienced complications, including pneumothorax, gastric remnant dilation, gastrojejunostomy stenosis, port-site hernia and protein malnutrition. There was no mortality in the study.The average BMI was 35.9 kg/m2 (range 27 to 45.5) 8 months after surgery (range 1 to 22 months). Compared with a preoperative BMI of 42.7 kg/m2, the weight loss was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results compare favorably with those reported for open reoperative bariatric surgery. A laparoscopic approach may be considered a feasible and safe alternative to an open operation.

Creatine Kinase-MB Elevation After Coronary Intervention Correlates With Diffuse Atherosclerosis, and Low-to-Medium Level Elevation Has a Benign Clinical Course Implications for Early Discharge After Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES The study evaluated the incidence and predictors of creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) elevation after successful coronary intervention using current devices, and assessed the influence on in-hospital course and midterm survival. BACKGROUND The CK-MB elevation after coronary intervention predominantly using balloon angioplasty correlates with late cardiac events of myocardial infarction (MI) and death. Whether CK-MB elevation after nonballoon devices is associated with an adverse short and midterm prognosis is unknown. METHODS The incidence and predictors of CK-MB elevation after coronary intervention were prospectively studied in 1,675 consecutive patients and were followed for in-hospital events and survival. RESULTS CK-MB elevation was detected in 313 patients (18.7%), with 1-3x in 12.8%, 3-5x in 3.5% and >5x normal in 2.4% of patients. Procedural complications or electrocardiogram changes occurred in only 49% of the CK-MB-elevation cases; CK-MB elevation was more common after nonballoon devices (19.5% vs. 11.5% after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; p < 0.01). Predictors of CK-MB elevation on multivariate analysis were diffuse coronary disease (p = 0.02), systemic atherosclerosis (p = 0.002), stent use (p = 0.04) and absence of beta-blocker therapy (p = 0.001). Adverse in-hospital cardiac events were more frequent in patients with >5x CK-MB elevation, with no significant difference between 1-5x CK-MB elevation versus normal CK-MB group. During a mean follow-up of 13 +/- 3 months, the incidence of death in the CK-MB-elevation group was 1.6% versus 1.3% in the normal CK-MB group (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS The CK-MB elevation after coronary intervention was observed even in the absence of discernible procedural complications and was more common in patients with diffuse atherosclerosis. In-hospital clinical events requiring prolonged monitoring were higher in >5x CK-MB-elevation patients only. Midterm survival of CK-MB-elevation patients was similar to those with normal CK-MB. Our prospective analysis shows a lack of adverse in-hospital cardiac events and suggests that early discharge of stable 1-5x normal CK-MB-elevation patients after successful coronary intervention is safe.

Laparoscopic vs. open biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: A comparative study

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is a well-known emerging open procedure that appears to be as effective as other bariatric operations and has been shown to provide excellent long-term weight loss. Therefore we looked at the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic BPD-DS procedure compared to open BPD-DS in superobese patients (body mass index >60). A retrospective study of 54 superobese patients (body mass index >60) was carried out from July 1999 to June 2001: laparoscopic BPD-DS in 26 patients and open BPD-DS in 28 patients. Median preoperative body weight was 189.8 kg (range 155.1 to 271.2 kg) in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and 196.5 kg (range 160.3 to 298.9 kg) in the open BPD-DS group. Median body mass index was 66.9 kg/m2 in the laparoscopic group and 68.9 kg/m2 in the open group. The two groups were compared by means of the unpaired t test, which yielded the following results: Major morbidity occurred in six patients (23 %) in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and in five patients (17%) in the open BPD-DS group (P = 0.63). There were two deaths in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group (7.6% mortality) and one death (3.5% mortality) in the open BPD-DS group (P = 0.51). Preoperative comorbidity was improved in eight patients in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and two patients in the open BPD-DS group (P < 0.02). Laparoscopic BPD-DS is a technically feasible procedure that results in effective weight loss similar to the open procedure. However, both open and laparoscopic BPDDS procedures are associated with appreciable morbidity and mortality in the superobese population. Additional studies are needed to determine the best surgical treatment for superobesity.

Evidence based medicine: open and laparoscopic bariatric surgery

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to perform an evidence-based analysis of the literature on open and laparoscopic surgery for morbid obesity.MethodsHuman studies on surgery for morbid obesity were conducted. Multiple publications of the same studies, abstracts, and case reports were reviewed. Current Content, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library database were investigated.ResultsOpen Roux-en-Y gastric by pass (RYGB) for morbidly obese patients and long-limb RYGB for superobese patients are highly effective procedures. Randomized controlled trials comparing malabsorptive procedures with other bariatric operations are needed. The long-term efficacy of adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) still is undetermined because of poor evidence. Laparoscopic RYGB is as safe as its open counterpart, although its long-term results are lacking. Laparoscopic ASGB is less invasive than open ASGB, although its efficacy cannot be determined because of poor evidence. Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is becoming unpopular since the decreasing trend of open VBG. Laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is feasible, but needs further studies.ConclusionsRandomized controlled trials comparing the various laparoscopic operations are strongly needed.

GIP and bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective modality of achieving weight loss as well as the most effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin and is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and T2DM. Its role in weight loss and resolution of T2DM after bariatric surgery is very controversial. We have made an attempt to review the physiology of GIP and its role in weight loss and resolution of T2DM after bariatric surgery. We searched PubMed and included all relevant original articles (both human and animal) in the review. Whereas most human studies have shown a decrease in GIP post-malabsorptive bariatric surgery, the role of GIP in bariatric surgery done in animal experiments remains inconclusive.

Incidence and mechanism of creatine kinase-MB enzyme elevation after coronary intervention with different devices†

The present study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of CK‐MB elevation and to identify the possible mechanisms of CK‐MB release after various coronary interventional devices. We prospectively studied 1,675 consecutive patients following various coronary interventions for CK‐MB elevation, from January 1997 to February 1998 and followed them for in‐hospital events. CK‐MB elevation was detected in 313 patients (18.7%); with 1–3 × normal in 12.8%, 3–5 × normal in 3.5%, and >5 × normal in 2.4%. CK‐MB elevation was more common after nonballoon devices (19.5% vs. 11.5% after balloon angioplasty; P < 0.01). Among the newer nonballoon devices, rotational atherectomy alone had a lower CK‐MB elevation compared to stent‐alone group (16.0% vs. 20.5%; P = 0.07). On univariate analysis, due to selective use of abciximab in high‐risk coronary interventions, there was higher incidence of CK‐MB elevation with abciximab (24.5% vs. 15.0% without abciximab; P < 0.01). Some kind of procedural complication was observed in 49% of the CK‐MB elevation group, with side‐branch closure being the most frequent (22.7%). In conclusion, CK‐MB elevation is common after successful coronary interventions and is higher after nonballoon devices. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:123–129, 1999.

A Biodegradeable Membrane from Porcine Intestinal Submucosa to Reinforce the Gastrojejunostomy in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Preliminary Report

Backround: A Silastic ring has been used to prevent dilation of the gastrojejunostomy in Roux-en-Y gastricbypass (RYGBP). The use of a bio-membrane may prevent dilation of the anastomosis without the risks associated with prostheses. The aim of this studywas to evaluate the feasibility and safety of applying such a bio-mem brane around the gastrojejunostomy junostomy in Laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). Methods: We used a new bio-membrane, that is dreived from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS)and acts as a scaffolding for the ingrowth of connective tissue. Over a 4-month period, 14 LRYGBP patients had their proximal anastom osis wrapped with 10 x 2.5 cm SIS by a single surgeon. We compared these patients to a control group of LRYGBP patients matched for BMI. Results: The average age of the patients was 35.0 years (control group: 45.1 years). The patients had a mean initial BMI of 44.7 kg/m2 (±5.9) standard error, and the control subjects had a mean initial BMI of 46.7 kg/m2 (±6.5). SIS application took a mean time of 11 (±3) minutes without any intraoperative complication. The median hospital stay was 3.5 days in the experimental group and 3.7 days in controls. Three patients developed a symptomatic stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy following surgery. In the control group there were two stenoses. At an average follow-up of 87 days (controls: 95 days), the mean reduction in BMI was 7.8 (± 0.8) kg/m2 [controls 8.6 kg/m2 (± 1.5)]. Conclusion: Application of SIS around the gastrojejunostomy in patients undergoing LRYGBP is feasible and safe. Further follow-up is required, however, to evaluate the effectiveness in preventing dilation of the anastomosis.

Sex hormones and bariatric surgery in men.

The aim of this article is to review the available literature on the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on sex hormone levels and sexual quality of life in obese men, discuss the underlying physiology, and compare the effects of surgical and nonsurgical weight loss on sex hormone levels. Clinical trials investigating sex hormone levels in obese men after surgical and nonsurgical weight loss were identified in a Medline search. The results were synthesized, tabulated, and interpreted. Total testosterone and free testosterone are usually decreased in obese men, but were increased by both surgical and nonsurgical weight loss. The improvement in total testosterone after bariatric surgery was found to be greater than with nonsurgical weight loss in most studies. The changes were less clear on estradiol, gonadotropins, and adrenal androgens after both methods of weight loss and require further study. Improvement of sexual quality of life was more consistent with bariatric surgery. Thus, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of obesity-related male hypogonadism. This finding might motivate obese men with hypogonadism to opt for surgical weight loss.