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.

Laparoscopic Roux limb placement for the management of chronic proximal fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy: technical aspects.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technical aspects of a laparoscopic Roux limb placement for the management of chronic proximal fistulas after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Laparoscopic Roux limb placement has been proposed as corrective strategy after LSG proximal leak. METHOD: A retrospective chart and database review was conducted in our institution. From January 1, 2002 to May 30, 2013, 18 patients underwent a laparoscopic Roux limb placement on the defect for the treatment of a proximal chronic fistula. The aim of this article was to present the operative technique. RESULTS: Eighteen patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux limb placement had undergone previous treatments including percutaneous drainage, endoscopic stenting of the fistula, and even percutaneous glue treatment. These patients had a chronic fistula and were admitted for a Roux limb placement of the fistula. The mean time for a chronic fistula to heal alter Roux limb placement was 13.5 ± 10.3 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 18.4 ± 13.2. CONCLUSION: Proximal leaks after LSG are relatively rare. However, a significant number become chronic. Laparoscopic placement of a Roux limb on the defect is a safe treatment. An accurate surgical technique should be done.

Laparoscopic reversal of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass into normal anatomy with or without sleeve gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to describe and analyze the outcomes after laparoscopic reversal to normal anatomy (NA) with or without concomitant "sleeve gastrectomy" (SG), after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Reversal has been proposed as corrective strategy after RYGB. METHODS: We propose a retrospective analysis of a prospectively kept database. RESULTS: From January 2005 to October 2012, 20 female patients underwent laparoscopic reversal after RYGB for one or more of the following conditions: hypoglycaemic syndrome (nine patients), weight regain (six patients), severe dumping (six patients), and cachexia (two patients). Preoperative BMI was 28.0 (19.2-40.3) kg/m². Reversal was performed to NA in ten patients and included a SG procedure in another ten. Postoperative complications included one bleeding and three leaks (15%; all in SG patients). Mean hospital stay was 7 days. Mortality was 0. With a mean follow-up of 11.5 months, all but one patient recovered from their initial condition. However, three developed severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and three had chronic diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of laparoscopic reversal of RYGB are good, but complications may occur when SG is added. The surgical alterations caused by the reversal may explain the GERD or diarrhoea experienced by some patients.

Long-Term (7 Years) Follow-Up of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Obese Adolescent Patients (<18 Years).

BACKGROUND: Few data are available about obesity surgery in adolescent patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in patients <18 years. SETTING: University Hospital, Europe. METHODS: A retrospective study of prospectively collected data of patients <18 years (childhood group; ChG) (n = 28) treated by LRYGB of which 19 were available for follow-up between 2.4 and 10.2 years (mean 7.2 years). This group of patients was matched with an adult control group (AdG) of randomly chosen patients with similar characteristics who underwent LRYGB during the same period. The extensive survey included a telephonic questionnaire. RESULTS: 19 (12 females) of the 28 patients (67.9%) were available for follow-up. Preoperatively, 3 had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 1 arterial hypertension, 5 dyslipidemia and 1 sleep apnea. In the ChG, average BMI after 7 years dropped from 38.9 kg/m2 preoperatively to 27.5 kg/m2. In the AdG, average BMI decreased from 39.4 to 27.1 kg/m2 in the same time period (nonsignificant between groups). One patient in the ChG needed a reoperation (internal hernia) versus 3 patients in the AdG (1 leak, 2 obstructions). All patients resolved their initial comorbidities. Two of 12 female patients in the ChG became pregnant 6 and 8 years after surgery, respectively, despite seemingly adequate oral contraception. Compliance with postoperative guidelines was good in 16/19 patients in ChG and in 14/18 patients in the AdG. Overall degree of satisfaction was high: 8.2/10 (SD 1.2, range 6-10) in the ChG and 8.9/10 (SD 1.7, range 5-10) in the AdG. CONCLUSION: LRYGB seems to be safe, provide good weight loss, and cure comorbidities in an adolescent population. Satisfaction degree is high. Inadvertent pregnancy despite conventional contraception is a possible issue.

Role of Percutaneous Glue Treatment After Persisting Leak After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Over the years, many treatment modes have been attempted for gastrocutaneous fistula (GCF) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Minimally invasive techniques for GCF treatment include stent placement and radiological percutaneous glue treatment (GT). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten patients underwent a radiological acrylate mixed with contrast medium GT combined or not with other treatment strategies such as relaparoscopy, ultrasound, or computerized tomography scan (CT scan)-guided drain and endoscopic stent placement. RESULTS: Ten patients (mean age 47.1 years, range 64-29) were treated by percutaneous injection of glue after LSG leak. Body mass index (BMI) was 42.2 kg/m(2) ± 6.7 at the time of LSG surgery. Mean time between LSG and leak diagnosis was 12 days (range 4-31 days). GT was only effective when performed after endoscopic stent placement (80 % resolution). With this regimen, five patients required a laparoscopic Roux limb placement. All fistulas eventually healed a mean of 75 days (range 29-293 days) after GCF diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous glue treatment alone does not seem to provide adequate results. Stenting previous to the glue treatment allows for better results.

Laparoscopic management of persistent strictures after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a common option in the management of morbid obesity. Although this procedure seems easier, many caveats remain, especially in terms of leakage. Other serious complications include strictures, bleeding, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Strictures are related to operative technique but also to healed leaks and fistulas. To our knowledge, the literature reports on the physiopathology and management of strictures after LSG are scarce. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our database provided a total of 16 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of strictures. A comprehensive review of each case was done including their management. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were treated laparoscopically for strictures. There were eight females (mean age, 40.6 years). Most common complaints were dysphagia (n = 14) and/or GERD (n = 8). Body Mass Index was 30.5 kg/m2 ± 9.3. Fourteen patients underwent a seromyotomy (SM) and two a wedge resection of the stenosis. After SM, morbidity included five leaks on the short term and five reoperations in the long-term. Of the 16 patients, 12 were treated satisfactorily, three required endoscopies and one had minimal GERD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Strictures and stenosis can be managed by laparoscopic approach with acceptable results. SM can be useful but carries a high complication rate. Accurate technique with parsimonious use of coagulation and possibly with the systematic use of an omental patch might lead to better results. The wedge resection of the stomach including the stricture was performed successfully in two cases. In addition, wedge resection was used secondarily in two other cases to address a complication of the seromyotomy.

Management of chronic proximal fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy by laparoscopic Roux-limb placement.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an increasingly popular bariatric procedure. However, after LSG, leaks may occur that are difficult to treat and that can persist for months. Treatment is controversial and ranges from stent placement to total gastrectomy. We propose an alternative laparoscopic treatment. The aims of our study were to report on the incidence of chronic fistulas after LSG and the outcome of Roux-limb placement on these defects. The setting was a major teaching hospital in Belgium. METHODS: From January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2011, we performed LSG as a primary weight loss operation (PLSG) in 728 patients and as a corrective operation (CLSG) in 84 patients. A retrospective chart and database review was conducted. When a chronic leak persisted beyond 4 months, we performed a laparoscopic Roux-limb placement on the defect. RESULTS: Leaks occurred in 26 patients (3.6%) after PLSG and in 6 (7.1%) after CLSG. A leak persisted beyond 4 months in 7 patients (26.9%) after PLSG and in 2 patients (33.3%) after CLSG. Two patients with a chronic fistula after PLSG were referred to our hospital. In 11 patients, a Roux limb was laparoscopically sutured to the defect. The mean time for a chronic fistula to heal after Roux-limb placement was 12.5±10.2 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 19.6± 14.2. CONCLUSION: Proximal leaks after LSG are relatively rare. However, a significant number become chronic. Laparoscopic placement of a Roux-limb on the defect is a safe treatment with an eventual succes rate of 100%.

Residual disease after re-excision for tumour-positive surgical margins in both ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma of the breast: The effect of time.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of time on finding residual breast cancer in re-excision specimens after non-radical breast-conserving surgery for both DCIS and invasive breast carcinoma. METHODS: 315 breast-conserving surgical procedures with tumour-positive margins were retrospectively reviewed. The significance of association between the presence of finding residual tumour in the re-excision specimen and mean time interval was calculated with Student's t-test. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the independent relative risk of time on presence of residual tumour. RESULTS: Residual tumour was found in 240 (76.2%) of the re-excision specimens. For primary invasive carcinomas time was a risk-reducing factor for finding residual disease (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.98, P = 0.01). If invasive carcinoma was transected, the absence of residual disease was significantly related with a longer mean time interval (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: An increased time interval between primary surgery and re-excision for tumour-positive surgical margins for invasive carcinoma is associated with a decreased incidence of finding residual tumour. This could be explained by inflammatory responses after surgical trauma. For DCIS there was no influence of time on finding residual tumour, which could be explained by a more protective microenvironment of DCIS or re-growth of surviving malignant cells.