Improvement of Coronary Calcium Scores After Bariatric Surgery in People with Severe Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a direct measure of coronary atherosclerosis. The study investigated the effect of bariatric surgery on CAC scores in people with severe obesity subjected to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: This prospective study included 129 people with severe obesity in two groups; the LSG group (n=74) subjected to surgery and the diet group (n=55), managed by a diet regimen and lifestyle modification. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by Framingham risk score (FRS) and coronary calcium score (CCS) measured by computed tomography initially and after 3 years. RESULTS: The two groups had a comparable CAD risk before treatment according to FRS or CCS. After treatment, CCS improved significantly in the LSG group (p=0.008) but not in the diet group (p=0.149). There was no correlation between FRS and CCS (r=0.005, p=0.952). Treatment resulted in significant weight reduction and improved fasting blood glucose and lipid profile in the two groups. The change of weight, blood glucose, and HDL, and remission of diabetes mellitus (DM) were significantly higher in the LSG group compared to the diet group. CONCLUSION: LSG may reduce the risk of developing future cardiovascular comorbidities evidenced by reducing CAC scores. Significant weight reduction and improvement of cardiovascular risk factors may recommend LSG as a cardioprotective procedure in people with severe obesity.

Food Tolerance After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy with Total Antral Resection.

BACKGROUND: Among the controversial points in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is how much of the antrum to be resected. This study aimed to evaluate food tolerance after preservation or resection of the antrum during LSG. METHODS: Prospective randomized study included 50 patients scheduled for LSG. Participants were randomly allocated into one of two groups. In antral resection (AR-LSG) group (n = 25), resection started 2 cm from the pylorus. In antral sparing (AS-LSG) group (n = 25), it started 6 cm from the pylorus. Percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) and percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBL) were evaluated after 3 and 6 months. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated by using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS). Food tolerance was assessed using the Quality of Alimentation questionnaire. Primary outcome measure was food tolerance and %EWL. RESULTS: Food tolerance was significantly better in the antral sparing group compared to the antral resection group after 3 and 6 months. The two groups were comparable in %EWL and BMI change after 3 and 6 months. Six months after surgery, the majority of patients had a very good quality of life, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.877). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the pyloric antrum during LSG is associated with significantly better food tolerance and comparable effect of weight loss up to 6 months postoperatively when compared with total antral resection.

Analysis of Medium-Term Weight Regain 5 Years After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Some patients fail to maintain weight loss after bariatric surgery. Weight regain (WR) disturbs the patients due to possible reappearance of obesity-related comorbidities. This study aimed to assess WR 5 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 100 adults who underwent LGS. The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was recorded. WR was defined as an increase of at least 10% of the lowest postoperative weight. Patients with WR were subjected to CT gastric volumety. Eating behavior was assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18-Items (TFEQ-R18). RESULTS: Preoperative comorbidities improved in 89.5% of the patients. Twenty-five females (32.5%) got pregnant within 3 years after surgery. Age, maximum weight loss, and uncontrolled and emotional eating scales of the TFEQ-R18 were independently affecting %EWL. Also, pregnancy negatively affected %EWL. Fourteen patients regain weight: 11 females and three males. CT volumetry of the 14 patients showed a median stomach volume of 515 mL (range 172-1066 mL). CT estimated gastric volume was negatively correlated with % EWL (r = - 0.674, p = 0.008). Patients who developed WR were significantly older (p = 0.006), with lower maximum weight loss, and having higher scores of uncontrolled and emotional eating scales of TFEQ-R18. CONCLUSION: Medium-term postsurgical weight regain and unsuccessful weight loss in patients who had undergone LSG is associated with older age, maladaptive eating behavior, larger residual stomach, and pregnancy.

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks via Laparoscopically Placed Catheters for Bariatric Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study is to evaluate postoperative analgesic outcome of the continuous bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block using bupivacaine infusion through an epidural catheter inserted through laparoscopic ports. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety patients assigned for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were divided into two equal groups according to postoperative analgesia: Control group received IV morphine, and TAP group received bupivacaine 0.25% continuous infusion TAP block through epidural catheters introduced through laparoscopic ports, grasped, and inserted in laparoscopically prepared TAP. Catheters were removed 24 h postoperatively. Frequency and severity of postoperative pain were assessed using numeric rating scale (NRS). Cumulative pain score, number of requests, and total dose of administered rescue analgesia were recorded. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower throughout 24 h postoperative with a significantly lower cumulative score in the TAP group compared to the control group. Twenty-four patients in the TAP group did not require rescue analgesia, and 17 patients required it once with a significantly higher frequency of patients having a higher number of rescue analgesia requests in the control group. The mean of number of patients requested rescue analgesia; the number of requested doses and total dose of morphine received was significantly lower in the TAP group. Mean time till first ambulation and oral intake was significantly shorter, and morphine-related side effects were significantly lower in the TAP group. Total and differential satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the TAP group. CONCLUSION: Continuous bupivacaine TAP block provided through an epidural catheter passed through laparoscopic ports improved postoperative outcome of LSG in terms of reduced postoperative pain scores, sparing morphine consumption, and early recovery items.

Early Weight Recidivism Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Although weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) can be substantial, weight recidivism is still a major concern. The aim of our work is to study early weight recidivism following LSG and to evaluate the role of gastric computed tomography volumetry (GCTV) in the assessment of patients experiencing early weight regain. METHODS: One-hundred and one morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG were prospectively studied. Patients were followed up for 2 years. Those who presented with weight recidivism were counseled for dietary habits and assessed for the amount of weight regain. Patients who regained weight were scheduled for GCTV. RESULTS: Twelve patients were excluded from the study. Weight recidivism was reported in 9/89 patients (10.1 %) [weight loss failure (n = 1), weight regain (n = 8)] and was almost always first recognized 1½-2 years after LSG. The amount of weight regain showed negative correlations with preoperative body weight and body mass index (r = -0.643, P = 0.086 and r = -0.690, P = 0.058; respectively) and positive correlations with the distance between the pylorus and the beginning of the staple line (r = 0.869, P = 0.005), as well as with the residual gastric volume (RGV) on GCTV 2 years after LSG (r = 0.786, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In the small group of patients who regained weight, a longer distance between the pylorus and the beginning of the staple line, as well as a higher RGV on GCTV 2 years after LSG, were both associated with increased weight regain. Gastric computed tomography volumetry with RGV measurement holds promise as a useful research tool after LSG.