Metabolic bariatric surgery as a therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: To compare different types of metabolic surgery with non-surgical therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: The present network meta-analysis (NMA) includes randomized clinical trials (duration ≥ 52 weeks) comparing different surgery techniques with non-surgical therapy in diabetes patients. The primary endpoints were endpoint HbA1c, body mass index (BMI) and diabetes remission. The secondary endpoints included fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, arterial hypertension and dyslipidaemia remission, quality of life and surgical adverse events. Indirect comparisons of different types of surgery were performed by NMA. Mean and 95% confidence intervals for continuous variables, and the Mantel-Haenzel odds ratio for categorial variables, were calculated. RESULTS: The types of surgical procedure included laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), bilio-pancreatic diversion (BPD), greater curvature plication (GCP), one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and Duodeno-Jejunal bypass. Thirty-six trials were included. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) was associated with a significantly higher reduction of HbA1c, diabetes remission and BMI compared with medical therapy. In the NMA, a significant reduction of HbA1c was observed with OAGB and SG. Complete diabetes remission significantly increased with all surgical procedures in comparison with non-surgical therapy, except for GCP. In addition, only BPD, RYGB and OAGB were associated with a significant reduction of BMI. CONCLUSIONS: MBS is an effective option for the treatment of T2D in patients with obesity. Further long-term trials of appropriate quality are needed for assessing the risk-benefit ratio in some patient cohorts, such as those with a BMI of less than 35 kg/m2 and aged older than 65 years.

Use of High Energy Devices (HEDs) versus electrocautery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: According to the literature, there is no clear definition of a High Energy Devices (HEDs), and their proper indications for use are also unclear. Nevertheless, the flourishing market of HEDs could make their choice in daily clinical practice arduous, possibly increasing the risk of improper use for a lack of specific training. At the same time, the diffusion of HEDs impacts the economic asset of the healthcare systems. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of HEDs compared to electrocautery devices while performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: On behalf of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and New Technologies, experts performed a systematic review and meta-analysis and synthesised the evidence assessing the efficacy and safety of HEDs compared to electrocautery devices while performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies were included. Outcomes were: operating time, bleeding, intra-operative and post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, costs, and exposition to surgical smoke. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021250447). RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included: 21 RCTs, one prospective parallel arm comparative non-RCT, and one retrospective cohort study, while three were prospective comparative studies. Most of the studies included laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in an elective setting. All the studies but three analysed the outcomes deriving from the utilisation of US sources of energy compared to electrocautery. Operative time was significantly shorter in the HED group compared to the electrocautery group (15 studies, 1938 patients; SMD - 1.33; 95% CI - 1.89 to 0.78; I2 = 97%, Random-effect). No other statistically significant differences were found in the other examined variables. CONCLUSIONS: HEDs seem to have a superiority over Electrocautery while performing LC in terms of operative time, while no difference was observed in terms of length of hospitalisation and blood loss. No concerns about safety were raised.

High-energy devices in different surgical settings: lessons learnt from a full health technology assessment report developed by SICE (Società Italiana di Chirurgia Endoscopica).

BACKGROUND: The present paper aims at evaluating the potential benefits of high-energy devices (HEDs) in the Italian surgical practice, defining the comparative efficacy and safety profiles, as well as the potential economic and organizational advantages for hospitals and patients, with respect to standard monopolar or bipolar devices. METHODS: A Health Technology Assessment was conducted in 2021 assuming the hospital perspective, comparing HEDs and standard monopolar/bipolar devices, within eleven surgical settings: appendectomy, hepatic resections, colorectal resections, cholecystectomy, splenectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, thyroidectomy, esophago-gastrectomy, breast surgery, adrenalectomy, and pancreatectomy. The nine EUnetHTA Core Model dimensions were deployed considering a multi-methods approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used: (1) a systematic literature review for the definition of the comparative efficacy and safety data; (2) administration of qualitative questionnaires, completed by 23 healthcare professionals (according to 7-item Likert scale, ranging from - 3 to + 3); and (3) health-economics tools, useful for the economic evaluation of the clinical pathway and budget impact analysis, and for the definition of the organizational and accessibility advantages, in terms of time or procedures' savings. RESULTS: The literature declared a decrease in operating time and length of stay in using HEDs in most surgical settings. While HEDs would lead to a marginal investment for the conduction of 178,619 surgeries on annual basis, their routinely implementation would generate significant organizational savings. A decrease equal to - 5.25/-9.02% of operating room time and to - 5.03/-30.73% of length of stay emerged. An advantage in accessibility to surgery could be hypothesized in a 9% of increase, due to the gaining in operatory slots. Professionals' perceptions crystallized and confirmed literature evidence, declaring a better safety and effectiveness profile. An improvement in both patients and caregivers' quality-of-life emerged. CONCLUSIONS: The results have demonstrated the strategic relevance related to HEDs introduction, their economic sustainability, and feasibility, as well as the potentialities in process improvement.

Low-pressure versus standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: It has been previously demonstrated that the rise of intra-abdominal pressures and prolonged exposure to such pressures can produce changes in the cardiovascular and pulmonary dynamic which, though potentially well tolerated in the majority of healthy patients with adequate cardiopulmonary reserve, may be less well tolerated when cardiopulmonary reserve is poor. Nevertheless, theoretically lowering intra-abdominal pressure could reduce the impact of pneumoperitoneum on the blood circulation of intra-abdominal organs as well as cardiopulmonary function. However, the evidence remains weak, and as such, the debate remains unresolved. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to demonstrate the current knowledge around the effect of pneumoperitoneum at different pressures levels during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis were reported according to the recommendations of the 2020 updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 44 randomized controlled trials that compared different pressures of pneumoperitoneum in the setting of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Length of hospital, conversion rate, and complications rate were not significantly different, whereas statistically significant differences were observed in post-operative pain and analgesic consumption. According to the GRADE criteria, overall quality of evidence was high for intra-operative bile spillage (critical outcome), overall complications (critical outcome), shoulder pain (critical outcome), and overall post-operative pain (critical outcome). Overall quality of evidence was moderate for conversion to open surgery (critical outcome), post-operative pain at 1 day (critical outcome), post-operative pain at 3 days (important outcome), and bleeding (critical outcome). Overall quality of evidence was low for operative time (important outcome), length of hospital stay (important outcome), post-operative pain at 12 h (critical outcome), and was very low for post-operative pain at 1 h (critical outcome), post-operative pain at 4 h (critical outcome), post-operative pain at 8 h (critical outcome), and post-operative pain at 2 days (critical outcome). CONCLUSIONS: This review allowed us to draw conclusive results from the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with an adequate quality of evidence.

Clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) on bariatric surgery: update 2020 endorsed by IFSO-EC, EASO and ESPCOP.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for obesity and metabolic diseases has been evolved in the light of new scientific evidence, long-term outcomes and accumulated experience. EAES has sponsored an update of previous guidelines on bariatric surgery. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of bariatric surgeons, obesity physicians, nutritional experts, psychologists, anesthetists and a patient representative comprised the guideline development panel. Development and reporting conformed to GRADE guidelines and AGREE II standards. RESULTS: Systematic review of databases, record selection, data extraction and synthesis, evidence appraisal and evidence-to-decision frameworks were developed for 42 key questions in the domains Indication; Preoperative work-up; Perioperative management; Non-bypass, bypass and one-anastomosis procedures; Revisional surgery; Postoperative care; and Investigational procedures. A total of 36 recommendations and position statements were formed through a modified Delphi procedure. CONCLUSION: This document summarizes the latest evidence on bariatric surgery through state-of-the art guideline development, aiming to facilitate evidence-based clinical decisions.

Carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND: The indication for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is uncertain in patients with asymptomatic severe (≥60% luminal narrowing according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria) carotid stenosis (ASCS), especially in the very elderly, because current evidence suggests that the risk of future stroke has been dropping in the past two decades owing to the recent advances in medical therapy. The aim of this observational study was to compare early and late outcomes in patients ≥80 years old with ASCS treated with CEA plus best medical treatment (BMT) or with BMT alone. METHODS: From 2005 to 2012, 69 octogenarians with ASCS underwent CEA plus BMT (group 1), and another 54 received BMT alone (group 2). All operations were eversion CEAs. BMT included lipid-lowering drugs, new antiplatelet and antihypertensive agents, avoidance of smoking, careful blood pressure and glycemic control, and lifestyle changes. Follow-up with serial ultrasonographic examination was obtained in 118 patients for a median 4.4-year period. RESULTS: There were no perioperative (30-day) strokes or deaths and one transient ischemic attack (1.4%). One late minor stroke developed in a CEA patient (1.5%). No late restenoses or occlusions were detected. Five patients in group 2 (9.6%) became symptomatic (one transient ischemic attack and four minor strokes) and subsequently underwent successful CEA; all their carotid plaques were complicated by ulceration and intraplaque hemorrhage (with plaque progression in four cases), confirmed by computed tomography images. The rate of freedom from cerebral ischemic events at 5 years showed a significant benefit for elderly patients who had CEA vis-à-vis those who did not (98% vs 84%; P = .04), and so did the 5-year rate of freedom from ipsilateral carotid disease progression (100% vs 91%; P = .01). At 5 years, the mortality rate was comparable for elderly patients whether they had CEA or not (66% vs 68%; P = .65). CONCLUSIONS: CEA is a safe, effective, and durable treatment for ASCS in patients aged 80 years or more, carrying an insignificant perioperative stroke/death risk. CEA associated with BMT seems preferable to BMT alone in preventing the risk of ipsilateral ischemic events, without translating into a longer survival.

Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic low-grade carotid stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Although the management of carotid disease is well established for symptomatic lesions ≥ 70%, the surgical treatment for a symptomatic ≤ 50% stenosis is not supported by data from randomized trials. Factors other than lumen narrowing, such as plaque instability, seem to be involved in cerebral and retinal ischemic events. This study analyzes the early-term and long-term outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed in patients with low-grade (≤ 50% on North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria) symptomatic carotid stenosis. METHODS: The study involves 57 consecutive patients undergoing CEA for symptomatic low-grade carotid disease at our institution over 5 years, and 21 (36.8%) had experienced more than one ischemic event. Overall, 48 (84.2%) had a minor stroke, and nine (15.8%) had an episode of retinal ischemia. Diagnosis was made by a vascular neurologist based on an ultrasound examination combined with noninvasive imaging studies, after ruling out other possible causes of embolization. Before CEA, all patients were receiving antiplatelet treatment, and 87% were taking statins. All patients underwent eversion CEA under general deep anesthesia, with selective shunting. All carotid plaques were examined histologically. Long-term follow-up (median, 28 months; mean, 32 ± 5 months; range, 3-56 months) was obtained for 55 patients. RESULTS: No 30-day strokes or deaths occurred, and no patients had recurrent neurologic events related to the revascularized hemisphere during the follow-up. No late carotid occlusions were detected, but one asymptomatic moderate restenosis was documented. There were seven late deaths (12.7%), none of which were stroke-related. Survival rates were 98% at 1 year and 90% at 3 years. All removed carotid plaques showed different features of ulceration or rupture, with underlying hemorrhage associated with a thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that CEA is a safe, effective, and durable treatment for patients with symptomatic low-grade carotid stenosis associated with unstable plaque. Patients had excellent protection against further ischemic events and survived long enough to justify the initial surgical risk. Plaque instability seems to play a major part in the onset of ischemic events, regardless the entity of lumen narrowing.

Lower extremity arterial reconstruction for critical limb ischemia in diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The impact of diabetes mellitus on the technical and clinical outcomes of infrainguinal arterial reconstruction (IAR) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) remains controversial. This study analyzed the outcome of IAR in diabetic patients with CLI over a 17-year period. METHODS: Details on all consecutive patients undergoing primary IAR at our institution were stored prospectively in a vascular registry from 1995 to 2011. Demographics, risk factors, indications for surgery, inflow sources and outflow target vessels, types of conduit, and adverse outcomes were analyzed. Postoperative surveillance included clinical examination, duplex scans, and ankle-brachial index measurements in all patients at discharge, 1 and 6 months after surgery, and every 6 months thereafter. End points were patency, limb salvage, survival, and amputation-free survival rates, and were assessed using Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis. The χ(2) or Fisher exact, Student t, and log-rank tests were used to establish statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall, 1407 IARs were performed in 1310 patients with CLI by the same surgeon, 705 (50.2%) in 643 diabetic patients and 702 in 667 nondiabetic patients. Autogenous vein conduits were used in 87% of the IARs. There were no perioperative deaths. Diabetic patients had significantly more major (16.7% vs 11.8%; P = .02) and minor complications (9.7% vs 6.5%; P = .02) than nondiabetic patients. At 5 and 10 years, there were no significant differences between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in the rates of primary patency (65% and 46% vs 69.5% and 57%; log-rank test, P = .09), secondary patency (76% and 60% vs 80% and 68%; log-rank test, P = .20), limb salvage (88% and 76% vs 91% and 83%; log-rank test, P = .12) survival (51% and 34% vs 57% and 38%; log-rank test, P = .41), or amputation-free survival (45.5% and 27% vs 51% and 29%; log-rank test, P = .19). The type of conduit did not affect patency or limb salvage rates in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients receiving IAR for CLI can have the same survival and amputation-free survival rates as nondiabetic patients. Their comparable technical and clinical outcomes strongly demonstrate that diabetics with CLI can expect the same quantity and quality of life as nondiabetics with CLI, and aggressive attempts at limb salvage in patients with diabetes mellitus, including distal and foot level bypass grafting, should not be discouraged.

Using protamine can significantly reduce the incidence of bleeding complications after carotid endarterectomy without increasing the risk of ischemic cerebral events.

BACKGROUND: Controversy persists regarding the use of protamine sulfate (PS) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA), chiefly because of conflicting experiences reporting both less bleeding and a higher stroke risk. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that reversing heparin with PS after CEA significantly reduces the incidence of bleeding complications without increasing the risk of postoperative stroke. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2012 all consecutive patients undergoing CEA under general anesthesia at our institution received 5,000 U of heparin prior to carotid clamping, which was partially (half-dose) reversed with PS 25 mg immediately after declamping (group I). Heparinization had never been reversed with PS in earlier CEAs performed from 1998 to 2009 at the same institution (group II). All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively by a neurologist, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all group I patients to exclude any silent cerebral infarction. End points of the study were bleeding complications, perioperative (30-day) stroke, and death. RESULTS: Overall, 219 CEAs (201 patients) were performed in group I, and 1,458 CEAs (1,294 patients) in group II. Demographics, risk factors, and preoperative antiplatelet medication were comparable in the two groups. The incidence of adverse events (group I vs group II) was as follows: stroke (0 vs 0.5 % [8/1,458], p = 0.27); death (0 vs 0 %); neck bleeding (0 vs 8.2 % [120/1,458], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that (1) partially neutralizing heparin with PS after CEA can significantly reduce the risk of bleeding complications, and (2) there is no association between the administration of PS and the incidence of postoperative stroke.

Reconstructive surgery for complex aortoiliac occlusive disease in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Although aortoiliofemoral bypass grafting is the optimal revascularization method for patients with severe aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD), previous studies have documented poor patency rates in young adults. This study investigated whether young patients with AIOD have worse outcomes in patency, limb salvage, and long-term survival rates after reconstructive surgery than their older counterparts. METHODS: Patients aged≤50 years undergoing reconstructive surgery at our institution for AIOD between 1995 and 2010 were compared with a cohort of randomly selected patients aged≥60 years (two for each of the young patients, matched for year of operation), analyzing demographics, risk factors, indications for surgery, operative details, and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 927 consecutive patients undergoing primary surgery for AIOD, 78 (8.4%) aged≤50 years (mean age, 48.4 years) and 156 older control patients (mean age, 71.2 years) were identified. The younger patients were mainly men (81%) and 59% had surgery for limb salvage and 41% for disabling claudication (P=.02). Compared with older patients, they were significantly more likely to be smokers (90% vs 72%; P=.002) and had previously needed significantly more inflow procedures (28% vs 16%; P=.03). Only one death occurred perioperatively (30-day) among the control patients, and no major amputations or graft infections occurred in either group. The need for subsequent infrainguinal reconstructions was greater in the younger patients (18% vs 7%; P=.01). The primary patency rates were inferior in the younger patients at 5 years (82% and 75%) and 10 years (95% and 90%; P=.01), whereas assisted secondary patency (89% and 82% vs 96% and 91%; P=.08), secondary patency (93% and 86% vs 98% and 92%; P=.19), limb salvage (88% and 83% vs 95% and 91%; P=.13), and survival rates (87% and 76% vs 91% and 84%; P=.32) were comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that despite a higher primary graft failure rate than that in older patients, aortoiliofemoral revascularization for complex AIOD is a safe procedure for younger patients with disabling claudication or limb-threatening ischemia, providing they are willing to follow a regular protocol to complete their postoperative surveillance and to undergo graft revision as necessary.

The impact of gender on outcome after infrainguinal arterial reconstructions for peripheral occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: The role of gender on the outcome of infrainguinal arterial revascularization (IAR) for peripheral arterial occlusive disease remains uncertain. This study analyzed the outcome of IARs performed over 15 years, stratifying the results by sex. METHODS: Details of consecutive patients undergoing primary IAR for peripheral arterial occlusive disease from 1995 to 2009 at our institution were prospectively stored in a vascular registry. Demographics, risk factors, indications for surgery, inflow sources, outflow target vessels, types of conduit, and adverse outcomes were analyzed. Postoperative surveillance included clinical examination supplemented with duplex scans and ankle-brachial index measurements in all patients at discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter. End points of the study, ie, patency, limb salvage, and survival rates, were assessed using Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis. The χ(2) or Fisher exact, Student t, and log-rank tests were used to establish statistical significance. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 1459 IARs performed in 1333 patients, comprising 496 women (37.2%; 531 IARs), who were a mean 3 years older than the men (74 vs 71 years; P < .001) and had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (52% vs 46%; P = .03) and surgery for limb salvage (91% vs 87%; P = .02). An autogenous vein conduit (great or small saphenous, or both, spliced, arm, or composite veins) was used in 87% of the IARs. No deaths occurred perioperatively (30 days). The major and minor complication rates were comparable between men and women. At 10 years, the primary patency rate was 47% in women vs 49% in men (P = .67), the assisted primary patency rate was, respectively, 53% vs 50% (P = .69), the secondary patency rate was 61% vs 61% (P = .66), limb salvage rate was 93% vs 91% (P = .54), and survival rate was 43% vs 49% (P = .65). Stratifying by type of conduit revealed no differences in patency or limb salvage rates. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an older age and more advanced stages of disease on presentation in women, IAR performed in women can achieve patency and limb salvage rates statistically no different from those recorded in their male counterparts, supporting the conviction that sex per se does not influence the outcome of lower extremity revascularization.

N0 Stage colon cancer: prognostic role of age in relation to tumor site.

This work investigates the prognostic role of advanced age as a risk factor for recurrence in a population of patients undergoing surgery for N0 stage colon cancer, and also evaluates whether that role is affected by tumor location. A population of 129 consecutive patients who underwent radical surgery for N0 stage colon cancer was selected. Patients were subdivided into three age groups: <65, 65-80 and >80. The only correlation found in the examined population between age and clinical-pathological features was between advanced age (>80) and tumor location in the right side of the colon. Overall survival (OS) and disease- free survival (DFS) were significantly lower in patients over 80 than in the other two classes. Two multivariate analyses were carried out: when tumor location was not considered, age >80 represented a negative prognostic factor for risk of recurrence, regardless of the other factors examined. This role was also confirmed when tumor location was considered. As hypothesized by several authors, the role of advanced age which emerges from this study is mainly due to the increased fragility of elderly patients caused by multiple pathophysiological factors, but it does not necessarily represent an absolute contraindication to surgery. The role played by tumor location remains controversial, as more and more studies show that right colon cancer (RCC) is a biological entity distinct from left colon cancer (LCC). Further studies are required to examine right and left colon cancers as two separate diseases.

Choices in surgical treatment of diverticulitis.

Complications after surgical treatment of diverticulitis are not very frequent, in view of the total number of patients affected by this pathology, but they do become significant in absolute terms because of the high prevalence of the disease itself. Surgeons continue to debate which option is better: Hartmann resection or combined resection and anastomosis. Since age is a crucial factor when surgery is being considered, we evaluated the outcome of surgical treatment for diverticulitis in patients treated in our unit over a six-month period, in view of the number of elderly patients generally admitted. Between January 2001 and June 2012, 77 patients underwent surgery for diverticular disease in the Geriatric Surgery Unit of the Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova Hospital. Gastrointestinal resection and anastomosis were performed in 75 patients (97%), resulting in an overall complication rate of 37% and a mortality rate of 1%. This surgical strategy was chosen because, when it is performed by experienced surgeons, it offers the same results in terms of mortality and morbidity as Hartmann resection, while presenting significant advantages as regards the patient's quality of life. Various factors such as the timing of surgery, severity of the disease defined according to the Hinchey classification, patient's clinical condition, and surgeon's experience and expertise can all influence the surgical choice. Several studies in the literature confirm that combined resection and anastomosis is safe and efficacious, but more research is needed to confirm these data.

Single Anastomosis Jejuno-ileal (SAJI): a New Model of Malabsorptive Revisional Procedure for Insufficient Weight Loss or Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: In case of insufficient weight loss or weight regain or relapse of weight-related comorbidities after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), other procedures such as reduction of a large gastric pouch and stoma, lengthening of the Roux limb, conversion to sleeve gastrectomy and/or bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch have been advocated. Single anastomosis jejuno-ileal (SAJI) is a new revisional simple operation performed after RYGB failure which adds malabsorption to the previous gastric bypass. METHODS: SAJI includes a single jejuno-ileal anastomosis specifically joining the ileum 250-300 cm proximal to the ileo-caecal valve and the jejunum 30 cm below the gastro-jejunal anastomosis on the Roux limb of the previous RYGB. Thirty-one patients underwent SAJI for insufficient weight loss and/or weight regain after RYGB. The percent total weight loss (%TWL) after RYGB and before SAJI was 21.8 ± 7.8. All SAJI operations were performed laparoscopically. The SAJI mean operating time was 145 min. RESULTS: Regarding weight loss after SAJI, %TWL is 27.2 ± 7.4, 31.2 ± 6.4, 33.7 ± 5.9 and 32.9 ± 5.2 at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months, respectively. Our series recorded a low rate of peri-operative and medium-term complications with a low grade of severity (Clavien-Dindo classification grade). One patient required reoperation 36 days after SAJI for epigastrium incarcerated incisional hernia at the previous RYGB laparotomy site. Mortality was 0. Comorbidity reduction/resolution after SAJI is 83.2% for type 2 diabetes mellitus, 42.8% for arterial hypertension, 72.8% for dyslipidemia and 45.3% for OSA. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of failed RYGB is challenging. SAJI is a less complicated, purely low invasive malabsorptive operation that should reach satisfactory %TWL and comorbidity reduction/resolution.

Development of the Italian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: Design and Methodological Aspects.

Development of the Italian clinical practice guidelines on bariatric and metabolic surgery, as well as design and methodological aspects. BACKGROUND: Obesity and its complications are a growing problem in many countries. Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell'Obesità e delle Malattie Metaboliche-SICOB) developed the first Italian guidelines for the treatment of obesity. METHODS: The creation of SICOB Guidelines is based on an extended work made by a panel of 24 members and a coordinator. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology has been used to decide the aims, reference population, and target health professionals. Clinical questions have been created using the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) conceptual framework. The definition of questions used the two-step web-based Delphi method, made by repeated rounds of questionnaires and a consensus opinion from the panel. RESULTS: The panel proposed 37 questions. A consensus was immediately reached for 33 (89.2%), with 31 approved, two rejected and three which did not reach an immediate consensus. The further discussion allowed a consensus with one approved and two rejected. CONCLUSIONS: The areas covered by the clinical questions included indications of metabolic/bariatric surgery, types of surgery, and surgical management. The choice of a surgical or a non-surgical approach has been debated for the determination of the therapeutic strategy and the correct indications.

Timing and pharmacological support in the surgical treatment of multiple perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

We present a case report on the management of a young woman affected by Crohn's Disease ever since childhood, complicated by complex, multiple perianal fistulas. In literature, there is increasing evidence to support the treatment of perianal fistulas using a combined association of medical and surgical strategies. In the case of our patient, the choice of surgery in association with pharmacological treatment was supported by the consideration of the fact that intervening during a quiescent phase of the disease, from the symptomatic, clinical-biohumoral and endoscopic standpoint, would have reduced the risk of complications and thus promoted healing. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Rare Intraoperative and Postoperative Complications After Transabdominal Laparoscopic Hernia Repair: Results from the Multicenter Wall Hernia Group Registry.

Background: Inguinal hernioplasty is the most frequently performed operation in the Western world today. Although the laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair has shown excellent results in terms of complications and recurrences, the anterior approach is still the most used. Postoperative pain and recurrences are the most widely studied complications in both approaches, but there is little information about the often more troublesome rare complications of laparoscopic surgery and their treatment. Methods: In the period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019, 1874 hernioplasty operations were performed with the transabdominal approach and recorded prospectively in the Wall Hernia Group database. The mean follow-up was 47 months (range 3-64 months). All less frequent complications were analyzed and a literature review was carried out to assess the presence of similar cases and their treatment in other series. Results: Eight cases of rare complications were identified and subdivided according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. They included a bowel perforation, 4 cases of bleeding, 2 bowel obstructions, and an injury to the motor branch of the obturator nerve. The postoperative course in these patients was significantly longer than in patients with a regular postoperative course. In 2 cases the complication occurred during the first admission, while the remaining 6 patients had to be readmitted within 30 days after discharge. Conclusions: Although serious postoperative complications in laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty are rare, all surgeons, also those who have completed the learning curve, should be aware of their possible occurrence.

IFSO Update Position Statement on One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB).

The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) issued a position statement on the role of one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) in the field of bariatric/metabolic surgery in 2018 De Luca et al. (Obes Surg. 28(5):1188-206, 2018). This position statement was issued by the IFSO OAGB task force and approved by the IFSO Scientific Committee and IFSO Executive Board. In 2018, the OAGB task force recognized the necessity to update the position statement in the following 2 years since additional high-quality data could emerge. The updated IFSO position statement on OAGB was issued also in response to inquiries to the IFSO by society members, universities, hospitals, physicians, insurances, patients, policy makers, and media. The IFSO position statement on OAGB has been reviewed within 2 years according to the availability of additional scientific evidence. The recommendation of the statement is derived from peer-reviewed scientific literature and available knowledge. The IFSO update position statement on OAGB will again be reviewed in 2 years provided additional high-quality studies emerge.

Complications and mortality in a cohort of patients undergoing emergency and elective surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an Italian multicenter study. Teachings of Phase 1 to be brought in Phase 2 pandemic.

Since the beginning of the pandemic due to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its related disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several articles reported negative outcomes in surgery of infected patients. Aim of this study is to report results of patients with COVID-19-positive swab, in the perioperative period after surgery. Data of COVID-19-positive patients undergoing emergent or oncological surgery, were collected in a retrospective, multicenter study, which involved 20 Italian institutions. Collected parameters were age, sex, body mass index, COVID-19-related symptoms, patients' comorbidities, surgical procedure, personal protection equipment (PPE) used in operating rooms, rate of postoperative infection among healthcare staff and complications, within 30-postoperative days. 68 patients, who underwent surgery, resulted COVID-19-positive in the perioperative period. Symptomatic patients were 63 (92.5%). Fever was the main symptom in 36 (52.9%) patients, followed by dyspnoea (26.5%) and cough (13.2%). We recorded 22 (32%) intensive care unit admissions, 23 (33.8%) postoperative pulmonary complications and 15 (22%) acute respiratory distress syndromes. As regards the ten postoperative deaths (14.7%), 6 cases were related to surgical complications. One surgeon, one scrub nurse and two circulating nurses were infected after surgery due to the lack of specific PPE. We reported less surgery-related pulmonary complications and mortality in Sars-CoV-2-infected patients, than in literature. Emergent and oncological surgery should not be postponed, but it is mandatory to use full PPE, and to adopt preoperative screenings and strategies that mitigate the detrimental effect of pulmonary complications, mostly responsible for mortality.

Laparoscopic treatment of De Garengeot hernia with Progrip.

BACKGROUND: Many eponyms have been used to classify some rare conditions of incarceration of a hernia at the level of the groin and femoral canal. The incarceration of the appendix at the level of the groin canal was first described by Claudius Amyand, while the incarceration of the appendix inside the femoral canal is a condition known as De Garengeot hernia. The incidence of such an event is very low and surgical treatment is usually performed via inguinal approach. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented upon arrival at the Emergency Room a sore tumefaction in the femoral region with skin erythema. The patient had never undergone surgery for groin or femoral hernias. After performing ultrasound reporting the presence of an incarcerated intestinal loop, the patient underwent surgery. Laparoscopic exploration highlighted the presence of a De Garengeot hernia. After exploration, it was decided to continue the laparoscopic operation: at first, the hernia sac was reduced, then a self-gripping mesh was put in place. Finally, after the closure of the peritoneum, the operation was completed by performing a laparoscopic appendectomy. The patient was discharged from hospital three days from surgery with an antibiotic therapy for further two days after discharge. After three months, upon clinical examination, no recurrences of hernia were evident. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a rare case of De Garengeot hernia treated laparoscopically. The treatment of such a condition is not standardized because of the few cases described. The laparoscopic approach should always be considered to perform at least an exploration of the abdominal cavity and evaluate the contents of the hernia sac. Laparoscopic hernia treatment should be carried out by experienced surgeons who are familiar with the technique and apply it routinely. KEY WORDS: Appendicitis, De Garengeot, Hernia, Laparoscopy.