Sleeve gastrectomy as revisional procedure for failed gastric banding or gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is considered an effective multipurpose operation for morbid obesity, although long-term results are still lacking. Also, the best procedure to be offered in the case of failed restrictive procedures is still debated. We here reported our results of LSG as a revisional procedure for inadequate weight loss and/or complications after adjustable gastric banding or gastroplasty. METHODS: Since April 2005, 57 patients (20 men and 37 women), with a mean age of 49.9 +/- 11.9 years, underwent revisional LSG, 52 after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding/adjustable gastric banding and 5 after vertical banded gastroplasty at our institution. The mean interval from the primary procedure to LSG was 7.54 +/- 4.8 years. The LSG was created using a 34F bougie with an endostapler, after removing the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band or the anterior portion of the band in those who had undergone vertical banded gastroplasty. An upper gastrointestinal contrast study was performed within 3 days after surgery and, if the findings were negative, a soft diet was promptly started. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients had undergone concurrent band removal and LSG and 16 had undergone band removal followed by an interval LSG. Three cases required conversion to open surgery because of a large incisional hernia. The mean operative time was 120 minutes (range 90-180). One patient died of multiple organ failure from septic shock. Three patients (5.7%) developed a perigastric hematoma, 3 (5.7%) had leaks, and 1 had mid-gastric short stenosis. The median hospital stay was 5 days. The mean body mass index at revisional LSG was 45.7 +/- 10.8 kg/m(2) and had decreased to 39 +/- 8.5 kg/m(2) after 2 years, with a mean percentage of the estimated excess body mass index lost of 41.6% +/- 24.4%. Two patients required a duodenal switch for insufficient weight loss. CONCLUSION: LSG seems to be effective as revisional procedure for failed LAGB/vertical banded gastroplasty, although with greater complication rates than the primary procedures. Larger series and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these promising results.

Laparoscopic gastric rebanding for slippage with pouch dilation: results on 29 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) slippage with pouch dilation is one the most serious long-term complications and requires reoperation in most cases. It is still controversial whether banding should be offered again or a different procedure should be chosen. We report the results of synchronous de-rebanding on a prospective series of patients treated at our institution for slippage with pouch dilation. METHODS: From January 2000 to May 2007, 29 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic de-rebanding for slippage with pouch dilation. The mean age at primary operation was 38.9 +/- 8.2 years and the mean BMI was 46.4 +/- 8 kg/m(2). Twenty-eight had previous LAGB, while one had previous open gastric banding, the perigastric technique being used at that time. All the redo procedures were successfully carried out under laparoscopy, via the pars flaccida technique, and all the patients were followed-up according to the usual schedule. RESULTS: The mean time from the original LAGB was 45.3 +/- 30.3 months, and the mean follow-up after rebanding was 26.9 +/- 20.6 months. At rebanding, the mean BMI was 34.3 +/- 7.6, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) 54.5 +/- 31, and percent excess BMI loss (%EBL) 58.3 +/- 33, respectively. After 1 year, BMI was 36.3 +/- 7.9, %EWL 40.8 +/- 30.5, and %EBL 43.9 +/- 32.7, respectively. After 2 years, BMI was 37.13 +/- 7.4, %EWL 36.9 +/- 29.4, and %EBL 39.6 +/- 31.6, respectively, and after 3 years, BMI was 33.5 +/- 5.6, %EWL 51.9 +/- 24.3, and %EBL 55.7 +/- 25.7, respectively. One patient had re-rebanding after 6 months for a new slippage, two had band removal with refusal to switch to another procedure, one had biliopancreatic diversion for slippage recurrence, and one underwent sleeve gastrectomy for insufficient weight loss after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a limited series, our results show that good outcomes can be expected after rebanding in properly assessed patients with slippage and pouch dilation. Larger series and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Wernicke's encephalopathy during parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Thiamine deficiency in humans affects the cardiovascular, muscular, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. Wernicke's encephalopathy is described in alcoholism, in hyperemesis gravidarum, and in prolonged IV feeding without vitamin supplementation. METHODS: We report a case of a 66-year-old man undergoing surgery for acute necrotic-hemorrhagic pancreatitis, who presented a Wernicke's syndrome during parenteral nutrition (PN). After surgery, he was treated with infusion of industrial 3-compartment bags, without vitamin supplementation. On the seventh postoperative day, nausea and vomiting began, and 5 days later the patient showed diplopia, ataxia, general muscular stiffness, reduction of osteotendinous reflexes, confusional state, and thrombocytopenia. The magnetic resonance scan evidenced pathologic changes in the medial thalamus, in the third and fourth ventricular floor, in the cerebellar vermis, and in the periaqueductal gray substance. RESULTS: All neurologic signs and platelet blood count gradually normalized after IV supplementation of thiamine, 100 mg daily. The magnetic resonance scan repeated 40 days after the first one was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Our report points out the risk of incorrect procedures in management of industrial 3-compartment bags. Moreover, we suggest that thrombocytopenia may be related to thiamine deficiency.