Causes of Death After Bariatric Surgery: Long-Term Study of 10 Years.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of up-to-date research addressing the causes of death and predictors of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery. METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study. Trust records were used to identify deceased patients and their medical history. The demographic data, comorbidities, cause of death, and time since surgery were retrieved and tabulated. Data was recoded to allow for use in IBM SPSS. RESULTS: There were 39 deaths amongst 891 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 15th June 2010 to 18th September 2022. The main cause of death was pneumonia and respiratory causes with 15.4% of the cohort. A history of asthma/COPD had an association with the cause of death (p = 0.021). A history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and smoking were all associated with a higher age at death, whilst a history of IHD was associated with a higher number of days from operation to death. Age at operation and number of comorbidities both correlated with age at death, and multiple linear regression of age at death with age at operation and number of comorbidities as predictors was significant (p < 0.001). A Cox regression found age at operation to have a significant effect on survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.063 (95% CI:1.027 to 1.100, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pneumonia and respiratory causes are the largest causes of long-term mortality after bariatric surgery. The only factor found to have a detrimental effect on all-cause mortality was age at operation which reduced survival. Hypertension, IHD, and smoking are indirect factors that are associated with mortality.

What Every Bariatric Surgeon Should Know: How to Relieve Obstruction at the Jejuno-jejunostomy After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remains one of the key bariatric procedures worldwide. In addition to bleeding and anastomotic leak, there are rarely occurring complications such as obstruction at the jejuno-jejunostomy in the early postoperative phase. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 51-year-old lady (weight 122 kg; BMI 46 kg/m2; with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension) underwent RYGB in our tertiary referral centre 3 days prior to admission. She originally recovered well from the uneventful operation, but began vomiting on day 3. At this point, she complained of no other symptoms. An urgent CT scan identified a gastric remnant dilatation, and an obstructed jejuno-jejunostomy. An urgent laparoscopic exploration was performed, which identified obstruction at this level. RESULTS: Within our video-presentation, detailed technical steps are described. First, gastric remnant decompression was performed by inserting a tube gastrostomy. Secondly, the obstruction was identified. Consequently, a new jejuno-jejunostomy was created, proximal to the original anastomosis, using a linear stapler, and direct suture closure of the enterotomy defects. After thorough washout, drains were placed in the pelvis and alongside the jejuno-jejunostomy. The patient was discharged home after a 2-week hospital stay which included 5 days of invasive ventilation on the ITU. CONCLUSION: A high-level of suspicion is required to suspect, diagnose and treat post-RYGB complications. A bariatric on-call rota with appropriately trained personnel is essential.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Screening Preoperatively with the Epworth Questionnaire: Is It Worth It ?

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in the bariatric population has been reported to be as high as 60-83%. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a validated, self-administrated eight-item questionnaire that measures subjective daytime sleepiness and thus helps to identify high-risk for OSA. OBJECTIVES: To find the prevalence of OSA in patients undergoing bariatric surgery who do not routinely undergo polysomnography (PSG) and are screened by the ESS. METHODS: All consecutive 425 patients who underwent bariatric surgery in our tercier referral centre from January 2012 to June 2017 were included in this prospective study. Patient demographics and ESS score were recorded prior to the bariatric surgery and patients were divided into low-risk (ESS < 11), high-risk (≥ 11) and "known-OSA" groups. RESULTS: The community-based OSA prevalence was 14% (59 patients). ESS-positive predictive value was 60%. There was no significant difference in BMI and excess body-weight, but patients with OSA were older and had a lower female ratio (75% vs 42%). The unplanned ICU admission rate was comparable amongst the low- and high-ESS group (2.2% and 2.1%, respectively); similarly, the respiratory and chest complication rate were similar. The median hospital stay for patients diagnosed with OSA was a half day longer; the high-score patients stayed significantly longer than the low-score patients (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In our study, the OSA prevalence was low (20%). We think that the ESS does not have significant predicting value before bariatric surgery and overall the OSA is "overhyped" in the bariatric pathway.

Etiology of Leaks Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: Current Evidence.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to study the causes of leaks following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pubmed was searched during January 2016 for publications reporting leak after SG. A total of 205 publications were identified, of which 17 papers were selected. RESULTS: In about 3018 patients, reinforcement was used compared with 4595 patients, in whom no reinforcement was applied; both groups were representing matched bariatric populations. The use of reinforcement/buttressing has resulted in different rates of leaks ranging from 0% to 3.9%; whereas with no reinforcement/buttressing, the leak rate was 0.16% to 3.5%. The use of reinforcement/buttressing did not result in reduction of leak to a statistical significance although the trend was suggesting so (P=0.06), whereas no reinforcement/buttressing did not statistically increase the leak rate (P=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: No statistical significant difference of leak with or without reinforcement. This mean case complexity and surgical technique and experience are the sole factors for leaks following SG.

Mid-Term Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Laparoscopic Roux En-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is an established therapeutic modality for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there is paucity of data on the outcomes of LRYGB on T2DM beyond 2 years. This study aimed to examine the medium-term effects of LRYGB on T2DM and determine the predictors of T2DM resolution. METHODS: Prospective data were collected for all consecutive LRYGB performed from September 2009 to November 2010. The American Diabetes Association guidelines were used to define complete (CR) or partial (PR) remission of diabetes. Diabetes status was considered improved when there was >50 % reduction in the dose of medications or when glycaemic control was achieved after stopping insulin. The effects of baseline characteristics, diabetes data and weight loss data at 4 years on T2DM remission were studied. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with T2DM underwent LRYGB with mean ± SD age and body mass index (BMI) of 48.6 ± 9.6 years and 50.4 ± 6.5 kg/m2, respectively. Median (IQR, interquartile range) duration of T2DM preoperatively was 60 (36-126) months. Median (IQR) follow-up was 52 (50-57) months. T2DM remission was achieved in 64 % of patients (44 % CR, 20 % PR), and a further 28 % of patients had improvement in their diabetes status. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant excess weight loss (EWL) [P = 0.008] and lower BMI [P = 0.04] at 4 years to be the only independent predictors of T2DM medium-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: The medium-term effects of LRYGB on T2DM remission/improvement were maintained in 92 % of patients. EWL and lower BMI at 4 years were independent predictors of T2DM remission.

Multifocal necrotising fasciitis: a rarer presentation of a rare disease.

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare life-threatening surgical emergency in which timely diagnosis and treatment are key. We present a case in which a patient rapidly succumbed to synchronous multifocal necrotising fasciitis from a likely intra-abdominal source. The ability for the disease to present in the unusual fashion described in this case must be highlighted to all clinicians.

[Surgical options for reducing body weight]. / A testsúlycsökkentés sebészi lehetoségei.

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Sixty-two percent of the Hungarian adult population has overweight and 27% is morbidly obese and, therefore, it is a significant interest to treat this condition. The authors review the diagnosis and the associated diseases of morbid obesity. The initial enthusiasm with the gastric band has settled now, as the long-term outcome showed only very limited reduction in the excess body weight and the complication rate was as high as 50%. The sleeve gastrectomy may induce 60-70% of excess weight loss, however, the long term follow-up data is very limited. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the gold-standard of the bariatric procedures, with proven 60-75% excess weight loss and 80% type 2 diabetes remission. The body image usually changes with weight loss, and frequently a body contouring procedure is required to improve it. Multi-disciplinary team of super-specialised doctors is required to perform these procedures.

Short- and long-term outcomes of vertical banded gastroplasty converted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) often necessitates revisional surgery for weight regain or symptoms related to gastric outlet obstruction. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered as the revisional procedure of choice. However, revisional bariatric surgery is associated with relatively higher rates of complications. The aim of the current study is to analyse our single-centre experience with patients requiring revisional RYGB following primary VBG. METHODS: Retrospective review of the prospectively collected database identified 153 patients who underwent RYGB as a revisional procedure after VBG from Feb 2004-Feb 2011. Early and late complications, weight data and resolution of symptoms related to gastric outlet obstruction were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three females and 30 males underwent revisional RYGB post VBG. Mean age was 44.4 (15-74) years with a mean pre-operative body mass index (BMI) of 34.2 (23.5-65.5) kg/m(2). Mean hospital stay was 4.3 days. Early complication rate was 3.9 % with a 30-day re-operation rate of 1.3 %. Mortality and leak rate were zero. After a mean follow-up of 48 months, the mean BMI decreased significantly to 28.8 kg/m(2) and a complete resolution of the obstructive symptoms was achieved in nearly all patients. Late complications developed in 11 (7.7 %) of the patients of which seven (4.9 %) required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Revisional RYGB following VBG is technically challenging but safe with low rates of morbidity and mortality, comparable to primary RYGB. It produces a significant reduction in body weight and in symptoms resolution. We recommend RYGB as the procedure of choice in patients requiring revisional surgery following VBG.

Emergency presentation of the gastric cancer; prognosis and implications for service planning.

AIMS: To compare emergency and elective presentation of gastric cancer by mode of clinical presentation, initial stage, intervention and prognosis. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for all cases of gastric cancer presenting to a tertiary referral centre between 2003 and 2010. This was stratified by emergency and elective presentation and was analysed for mode of presentation, initial stage and outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-test and Chi2 test. RESULTS: A total of 291 patients presented: Forty-two (14.43%) were emergencies and 249 (85.57%) elective presentations. Analysis of the emergency cohort showed 25 patients presented with obstruction (59.52%), 15 presented with haematemesis (35.71%) and 2 with perforation (4.76%).Eighteen of the emergency patients (45%) presented with stage 4 disease compared to 60 (25.42%) in the elective group (p < 0.005). Fourteen of the emergency patients were treated with curative intent (33.3%) compared with 130 (55.56%) in the elective group (p < 0.01). Over 6 years only 2 patients needed operation within 24 hours of presentation.Overall survival at one year for emergency patients was 48.3% compared to 63.4% in elective patients (p < 0.05). There were no survivors from the emergency group after 3 years but 32.46% of the elective patients survived (p < 0.02). Elective presentation with disease stage 1A-3B had a two year survival rate of 54.95% compared to only 20% in the emergency group (p < 0.05). Of patients who underwent operative intervention 67.44% of patients who presented electively survived to 2 years. This compared to just 25% presenting as emergencies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency presentation of gastric cancer is rare; is associated with higher stage of disease at presentation and lower rates of operability. The necessity to perform emergency operation within 24 hours is exceedingly rare. Emergency presentation is a marker of poor long term outcome for equivalent cancer stage in non-advanced (stages 1A-3B) disease.

[Genetic background and clinical features of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer]. / Az öröklött diffúz gyomordaganat genetikai háttere és klinikai megjelenése.

With the development of the molecular biology more pathological condition have been identified (p53 mutation and breast cancer, Ret protooncogene point mutation and medullary thyroid cancer), which could lead to malignant disease. The recent advances in the molecular genetics lead to the recognition of the hereditary diffuse gastric cancer that inherited in a dominant autosomal manner with incomplete penetrance. About 25-30% of families fulfilling the criteria have germline mutation of the CDH1 gene coding the calcium-dependent E-cadherin protein. In confirmed cases, prophylactic gastrectomy suggested in the early adolescent age.

Congenital microgastria with limb defect combined with megaduodenum: case report and review of literature.

Congenital microgastria is a rare developmental disorder with only 59 previously reported cases. Most of the patients undergoing reconstructive surgery are in early infancy, providing gastric augmentation to achieve optimal thrive. The Hunt-Lawrence pouch is the standard surgical treatment in infancy, but late surgery in early adulthood requires different approach. This case demonstrates that duodenojejunostomy is safe and effective in the treatment of congenital, functional duodenal obstruction in adulthood.

Aorto-oesophageal fistula: an unusual complication of oesophageal biopsies.

The authors report a case of an aorto-oesophageal fistula presenting in a patient undergoing investigation for possible oesophageal malignancy who underwent multiple oesophageal biopsies. A 73-year-old gentleman underwent endoscopic biopsy of an oesophageal lesion. Histology showed only inflammatory changes, endoscopy was repeated and again biopsy showed only inflammatory changes. The patient then presented with severe haematemesis, which was shown by CT angiogram to be due to an aorto-oesophageal fistula. This was treated with endovascular stenting, and the patient recovered well. Sequential imaging has shown gradual resolution of the submucosal swelling and lymphadenopathy, excluding the possibility of underlying oesophageal malignancy. This is the first reported case of aorto-oesophageal fistulation as a complication of endoscopic oesophageal biopsies. Aorto-oesophageal fistula is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening cause of haematemesis. It is a potential complication of endoscopic oesophageal biopsy.

[The role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in cell division processes and in malignancy]. / Az inzulinszeru növekedési faktor (IGF) szerepe a sejtosztódási folyamatokban és a daganatokban.

Extensive research is being carried out to identify the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in cellular development and tumorigenesis. There is substantial experimental and clinical evidence now that IGF and the related signalling pathways have important roles in regulating cellular proliferation, promoting cellular differentiation and anti-apoptotic effect. Significant amount of IGF is produced locally by neoplastic tissue, which gets into the circulation and adds to the naturally liver-generated and circulating amount. The IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) modulate the bioavailability of IGFs. Upon ligand binding to the receptor, the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity initiates the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway; these have a summon effect on cell cycle. The ligand and the receptor biosynthesis are reviewed, as well as the signal transduction system and the IGF' role in neoplasm. Finally, the therapeutic modalities are surveyed with the preclinical drug's main features.