Defining Global Benchmarks in Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis of Minimally Invasive Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To define "best possible" outcomes for bariatric surgery (BS)(Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] and sleeve gastrectomy [SG]). BACKGROUND: Reference values for optimal surgical outcomes in well-defined low-risk bariatric patients have not been established so far. Consequently, outcome comparison across centers and over time is impeded by heterogeneity in case-mix. METHODS: Out of 39,424 elective BS performed in 19 high-volume academic centers from 3 continents between June 2012 and May 2017, we identified 4120 RYGB and 1457 SG low-risk cases defined by absence of previous abdominal surgery, concomitant procedures, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, cardiopathy, renal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, anticoagulation, BMI>50 kg/m and age>65 years. We chose clinically relevant endpoints covering the intra- and postoperative course. Complications were graded by severity using the comprehensive complication index. Benchmark values were defined as the 75th percentile of the participating centers' median values for respective quality indicators. RESULTS: Patients were mainly females (78%), aged 38±11 years, with a baseline BMI 40.8 ±â€Š5.8 kg/m. Over 90 days, 7.2% of RYGB and 6.2% of SG patients presented at least 1 complication and no patients died (mortality in nonbenchmark cases: 0.06%). The most frequent reasons for readmission after 90-days following both procedures were symptomatic cholelithiasis and abdominal pain of unknown origin. Benchmark values for both RYGB and SG at 90-days postoperatively were 5.5% Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa complication rate, 5.5% readmission rate, and comprehensive complication index ≤33.73 in the subgroup of patients presenting at least 1 grade ≥II complication. CONCLUSION: Benchmark cutoffs targeting perioperative outcomes in BS offer a new tool in surgical quality-metrics and may be implemented in quality-improvement cycle.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03440138.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Outcomes in Patients with BMI Between 30 and 35-3 Years of Follow-Up.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 kg/m2 plus comorbidities has shown to be safe and effective. The purpose of this study is to describe our outcomes in this group of patients after 3 years of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis of patients with initial BMI between 30 and 35 kg/m2 plus comorbidities were submitted to LSG between 2006 and 2013. We analyzed gender, age, comorbidities, BMI, total weight loss (%TWL), excess weight loss (%EWL), comorbidity resolution, morbidity, and mortality. Postoperative success was defined as %TWL over 20% and EWL% over 50% maintained for at least 1 year and comorbidity remission with no need of medication. RESULTS: Of the patients, 477 underwent a LSG in the above period and 252 met inclusion criteria; 188 (75%) were female and 64 (25%) were male. Median age was 39 years (15-70). Three-year follow-up was 43.9% (111 patients). Median preoperative BMI was 32.3 kg/m2 (30-34.3). Median postoperative %TWL was 12.9, 23.2, 28.2, 24.3, and 22.1% at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. %EWL was 42.88, 77.44, 98.42, 83.2, and 75.8%. Median surgical time was 86.9 min (40-120). There was comorbidity remission at 36 months. Insulin resistance was remitted in 89.4%, dyslipidemia 52%, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 84.6%, hypertension 75%, and GERD 65%. T2DM had 60% of complete remission and 40% improvement. There were morbidity in six patients (2.4%), two reoperations, no leaks, and no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Performing LSG in patients with grade I obesity is safe and effective. BMI should not be the only indicator to consider bariatric and metabolic surgery. We still require further studies and longer follow-up.

Expression of MYD88 in Adipose Tissue of Obese People: Is There Some Role in the Development of Metabolic Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: The mechanism leading to the development of metabolic complications in obese individuals is not fully understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine differences in insulin resistance, inflammation, cytokine and adipokine levels, and expression of selected genes across obese individuals with different number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. METHODS: Forty obese individuals who underwent bariatric surgery, divided in three groups based on the number of components of MetS, in addition to abdominal obesity (0, 1, and 2-3 additional components), were studied. Levels of inflammatory proteins, insulin resistance, cytokines, adipokines, and gene expression in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were compared. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher expression of MYD88 in SAT among those with more components of MetS (P = 0.008). In SAT, but not in VAT, MYD88 expression was significantly correlated with toll-like receptor 4 expression (r = 0.7, P < 0.05). Expression of adipsin in SAT was also associated with the presence of more components of MetS, but with borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05). There were no significant differences in insulin resistance, inflammation, and cytokine and adipokine levels by the number of components of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that MYD88 expression in SAT of obese subjects could be associated with the development of components of MetS.

Mechanisms of long-term weight regain in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Weight regain after bariatric surgery may be associated with behavioral, metabolic, or mechanical factors alone or in combination. The aim of this study was to investigate which factors are related to weight regain in the long-term after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study with 40 patients undergoing SG (32 women, 8 men; age 42.9 ± 10.7 y; preoperative body mass index 35 ± 2.8 kg/m(2)), was performed. Patients were grouped according percentile->50% (cases) or <50% (controls)-of weight regain (%WR cutoff: 25% of weight loss). Weight history, anthropometry, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), thyroid-stimulating hormone, resting energy expenditure, body composition, dietary survey, psychological test, and physical activity were recorded. Residual gastric capacity was estimated using a radiologic method. RESULTS (MEDIAN [P25-P75]): The evaluation was conducted 38.5 mo (34-41 mo) after SG. Percent weight regain ranged from 2.7% to 129.2% (25.4% [13-37.1]). Patients in the higher %WR group had a greater residual gastric volume (252.7 ± 108.4 versus 148.5 ± 25.3; P < 0.05) and the estimated volume was significantly correlated with %WR (r = 0.673; P = 0.023). Significantly higher body mass index (P = 0.001), resting energy expenditure (P = 0.04), fasting insulin (P = 0.01), and HOMA-IR (P = 0.02) were observed in the higher %WR group. A higher fat intake and a trend toward higher total energy intake were observed in the group with greater %WR. Clinical or borderline levels of anxiety were more frequently observed in the higher %WR group (70% versus 30%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study demonstrated that the most important factor associated with long-term weight regain after SG was residual gastric volume. Additional prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are necessary to confirm our results.

[Micronutrient deficiencies one year after sleeve gastrectomy]. / Déficit de micronutrientes a más de un año postoperatorio de gastrectomía en manga.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is one of the largest problems in public health worldwide today. For patients with severe obesity and associated comorbidities, surgical treatment is recommended. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of micronutrient deficiencies and food intake at least 12 months after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study carried out between October and December 2009 with measure of serum levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, calcium, ferritin, zinc, parathyroid hormone and bone mineral density on patients underwent SG at least 12 months before the study. A food intake questionnaire was also performed. For the statistical analysis, the Pearson or Spearman tests was used. RESULTS: Forty patients were evaluated with a mean age of 40 ± 10 years and mean time post surgery of 26 ± 6 months. Mean plasma level of 25 OH-vitamin D was 20.9 ± 10.5 ng/ml. Forty-three percent had low levels of vitamin D (< 20 ng/ml), and 68% showed low levels of calcium (< 1,1 mmol/L) without secondary hyperparathyroidism. Anemia was present in 28% and iron deficiency occurred in 38% of these patients. Deficit of folic acid and vitamin B12 were observed in 13% of the patients. Average daily food intake was 1,256 kcal, 54% of total calories as carbohydrates, 26% as fat and 21% as protein. CONCLUSION: Iron, calcium and vitamin D are the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies after SG. Long-term vitamin and mineral supplementation should be considered on every patient. Additional long-term studies are needed to establish specific supplementation recommendations after SG.