Conversion of one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): who is more at risk? A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 0.6% to 10% of patients operated on for one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), only about 1% require surgery to convert to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) [3-5]. The aim of the present study was to analyze the characteristics of OAGB patients converted to RYGB for GERD not responding to medical treatment. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included patients who underwent conversion from OAGB to RYGB for severe GERD. The conversion was performed with resection of the previous gastro-jejunal anastomosis and the use of the afferent loop as a new biliary loop. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 66 (52.6%) had a past medical history of bariatric restrictive surgery (gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy). A hiatal hernia (HH) was present in 56 patients (44.7%). The association between previous restrictive surgery and HH was recorded in 33 (26.2%) patients. Three-dimensional gastric computed tomography showed an average gastric pouch volume of 242.4 ± 55.1 cm3. Conversion to RYGB was performed on average 60 ± 35.6 months after OAGB. Seven patients (5.5%) experienced an early postoperative complication (4 patients grade IIIb and 3 grade IIb), and 3 (2.4%) a late complication. Patients showed further weight loss after RYGB conversion and an average of 24.8 ± 21.7 months after surgery, with a mean % of total weight loss (%TWL) of 6.9 ± 13.6 kg. From a clinical point of view, the problem of GERD was definitively solved in more than 90% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Situations that weaken the esogastric junction appear to be highly frequent in patients operated on for OAGB and converted to RYGB for severe reflux. Similarly, the correct creation of the gastric pouch could play an important role in reducing the risk of conversion to RYGB for GERD.

Is It Safe to Combine a Fundoplication to Sleeve Gastrectomy? Review of Literature.

Background and Objectives: The rising numbers of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) procedures now being performed worldwide will likely be followed by an increasing number of patients experiencing gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The purpose of the current review was to analyze in terms of safety different techniques of fundoplication used to treat GERD associated with LSG. Methods: An online search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE in December 2020 to identify articles reporting LSG and fundoplication. The following term combination was used: (sleeve, fundoplication), (sleeve, Nissen), (sleeve, Rossetti), (sleeve, Toupet) and (sleeve, Dor). The extracted information included details of the methods (e.g., retrospective case series), demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), clinical characteristics, number of patients, rate of conversion, and postoperative outcomes. Results: A total of 154 studies were identified and after an assessment of title according to our exclusion criteria, 116 articles were removed. Of the 38 studies analyzed for full content review, a total of seven primary studies (487 patients) were identified with all inclusion criteria. Analyzing the different types of fundoplication used, we have identified: 236 cases of Nissen-Sleeve, 220 cases with modified Rossetti fundoplication, 31 cases of Dor fundoplication, and no case of Toupet fundoplication. The overall postoperative complication rate was 9.4%, with the most common reported complication being gastric perforation, 15 cases-3.1%. The second most common complication was bleeding identified in nine cases (1.8%) followed by gastric stenosis in six cases (1.2%). The mortality was nil. Conclusions: Different types of fundoplication associated with LSG appear to be a safe surgical technique with an acceptable early postoperative complication rate. Any type of fundoplication associated with LSG to decrease GERD should be evaluated cautiously while prospective clinical randomized trials are needed.

Endoscopic Gastric Band Removal.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) procedures have declined worldwide in recent years. A known complication is the intraluminal erosion of the prosthetic material. The endoscopic management of gastric band erosion represents the recommended approach nowadays, and it avoids any additional trauma to the gastric wall already damaged by the migration. The purpose of our study was to assess the feasibility of endoscopic management for intraluminal gastric band erosion following LAGB. METHODS: From January 2009-December 2020, a total of 29 patients were retrospectively reviewed after undergoing endoscopic gastric band removal. The study included all consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic gastric band removal in this period. No patients were excluded from the study. Data on patient demographic characteristics, case history, operative details (procedural time, adverse events), and complications were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients underwent endoscopic gastric band removal: 22 women (75.8%) with a mean age of 45 years (range: 28-63) and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 31 ± 4.7 kg/m2 (range: 24-41). The average time to the identification of erosion after LAGB was 42 months (range: 28-137). The initial upper endoscopy found a migrated band of more than half of the diameter in 21 cases, less than a half but more than a third in seven cases and in one case, less than a third (use of a stent). Twenty-seven patients were successfully treated with endoscopic removal, and in two cases, the endoscopic approach failed, and laparoscopy was further performed. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic management of intraluminal erosion after LAGB can be safe and effective and should be considered the procedure of choice when treating this complication. The percentage of the band migration is important for the timing of the endoscopic removal.

Is the Surgical Drainage Mandatory for Leak after Sleeve Gastrectomy?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the unanimous acknowledgement of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) worldwide, the leak remains its deficiency. For the last decade, the surgical treatment was practically considered mandatory for almost any collection following LSG. The aim of this study is to evaluate the need for surgical drainage for leak following LSG. METHODS: All consecutive patients having gone through LSG from January 2017 to December 2020 were enrolled in our study. Once the demographic data and the leak history were registered, we analyzed the outcome of the surgical or endoscopic drainage, the characteristics of the endoscopic treatment, and the evolution to complete healing. RESULTS: A total of 1249 patients underwent LSG and the leak occurred in 11 cases (0.9%). There were 10 women with a mean age of 47.8 years (27-63). The surgical drainage was performed for three patients and the rest of the eight patients underwent primary endoscopic treatment. The endoscopic treatment was represented with pigtails for seven cases and septotomy with balloon dilation for four cases. In two out of these four cases, the septotomy was anticipated by the use of a nasocavitary drain for 2 weeks. The average number of endoscopic procedures was 3.2 (range 2-6). The leaks achieved complete healing after an average duration of 4.8 months (range 1-9 months). No mortality was recorded for a leak. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of the gastric leak must be tailored to each patient. Although there is still no consensus for the endoscopic drainage of leaks after LSG, the surgical approach can be avoided in up to 72%. The benefits of pigtails and nasocavitary drains followed by endoscopic septotomy are undeniable, and they should be included in the armamentarium of any bariatric center.

One-stage conversion of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding to laparoscopic 1-anastomosis gastric bypass: a single-center experience on 1,000 patients at 5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the use of 1-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) as a conversion technique after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) failure is scarce in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess our experience with OAGB as a rescue procedure after failed LAGB. SETTING: This study involved patients treated at a private hospital in France. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all consecutive patients receiving OAGB from January 2005 to January 2016. Of the 3,224 patients, 63.5% received primary OAGB (pOAGB) and 36.5% received OAGB as a conversion procedure after LAGB (cOAGB). RESULTS: During the period considered, 2,046 patients with obesity received pOAGB, whereas 1,000 patients underwent conversion of LAGB to OAGB in 1 step. The rate of patients lost to follow-up at 5 years was 31% in the pOAGB group and 32.5% in the cOAGB group (P = .4). Five years after the surgery, the mean body mass index was 30.8 ± 10.2 kg/m2, the mean percentage total weight loss was 34.6% ± 9.6%, and the mean percentage excess weight loss was 76.1% ± 24.6% in the pOAGB group, and the mean was 29.7 ± 10.4 kg/m2 (P = .58), the mean percentage total weight loss was 33.8% ± 10.2% (P = .82) and the mean percentage excess weight loss was 73.5% ± 22.2% (P = .78) in the cOAGB group. There was no difference in terms of early complications between the 2 groups (3.2% pOAGB versus 3.6% cOAGB, P = .59), while there was a statistically significant difference in terms of late complications (11% pOAGB versus 18% cOAGB, P < .00001). In particular, there was a significantly higher incidence of symptomatic postoperative biliary reflux in the cOAGB group (12% in cOAGB versus 5% in pOAGB, P < .00001). CONCLUSION: In this study, OAGB was effective and safe as a rescue technique after LAGB failure. Conversion in one step did not appear to increase the risk of early complications, whereas a history of gastric banding seems to increase the risk of bile reflux in the long term.

One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass and Hiatal Hernia: Nissen Fundoplication with the Excluded Stomach to Decrease the Risk of Postoperative Gastroesophageal Reflux.

INTRODUCTION: The realization of an antireflux valve according to the Nissen technique during the operation of one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) may theoretically decrease the incidence of postoperative reflux in patients with hiatal hernia (HH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all patients operated on between January 2015 and January 2019 for an OAGB associated with the creation of an antireflux Nissen valve (360-degree wrap). The patients included had type II or type III HH that had been diagnosed preoperatively or discovered intraoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were operated on during the period considered. The mean preoperative BMI was 40 ± 14 kg/m2. Five patients (22.7%) had a history of bariatric surgery. Typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were preoperatively present in four patients (18%), and HH was revealed preoperatively only in four patients; for all the other patients, the diagnosis of HH was made intraoperatively. The rate of early and/or late postoperative complications was 0%. The mean duration of follow-up was 23 ± 15 months. No dysphagia was reported during follow-up. Three patients presented with symptomatic GERD postoperatively, including one de novo. Mean BMI at the end of follow-up was 24 ± 3 kg/m2, and the % of total weight loss was 108 ± 30%. CONCLUSIONS: OAGB with a Nissen antireflux valve seems to be a safe and effective surgical technique and it could be an extra arrow in the surgeon's quiver in the presence of HH in a patient scheduled for OAGB.

Resizing of the Gastric Pouch for Weight Regain after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: Is It a Valid Option?

Introduction: The laparoscopic resizing of the gastric pouch (LPR) has recently been proposed as a revisional technique in the case of weight regain (WR) after gastric bypass procedures. The aim of this study was to report our experience with LPR for WR. Materials and Methods: All patients with WR ≥ 25% after gastric bypass and with a dilated gastric pouch and/or gastrojejunal anastomosis who underwent LPR between January 2017 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. From a radiological point of view, a gastric pouch was considered dilated when its volume was calculated at >80 cm3 for LRYGB and >200 cm3 for OAGB upon a 3D-CT scan. The endoscopic criterion considered both the diameter of the gastrojejunal anastomosis and the gastric pouch volume. All anastomoses > 20 mm for LRYGB and >40 mm for OAGB were considered dilated, while a gastric pouch was considered endoscopically dilated when the retrovision maneuver with the gastroscope was easily performed. These selection criteria were arbitrarily established on the basis of both our personal experience and literature data. Results: Twenty-three patients had LPR after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or one-anastomosis gastric bypass. The mean BMI at LPR was 36.3 ± 4.7 kg/m2. All patients underwent LPR, while the resizing of the GJA was also performed in 3/23 (13%) cases, and hiatoplasty was associated with the resizing of the pouch in 6/23 cases (26.1%). The mean BMI at the last follow-up was 29.3 ± 5.8 kg/m2. The difference between the BMI before resizing and the BMI at the last follow-up visit was statistically significant (p = 0.00005). The mean %TWL at 24.2 ± 16.1 months was 19.6 ± 9%. Comorbidities had an overall resolution and/or improvement rate of 47%. The mean operative time was 71.7 ± 21.9 min. The conversion rate was nil. Postoperative complications occurred in two cases (8.7%). Conclusions: In our series, LPR for WR showed good results in weight loss and in improvement/resolution of comorbidities, with an acceptable complication rate and operative time. Only further studies with a greater cohort of patients and a longer postoperative follow-up will be able to highlight the long-term benefits of this technique.

The Utility of Video Recording in Assessing Bariatric Surgery Complications.

INTRODUCTION: Recording every procedure could diminish the postoperative complication rates in bariatric surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between recording every bariatric surgery and their postoperative analysis in relation to the early or late postoperative complications. METHODS: Seven hundred fifteen patients who underwent a bariatric procedure between January 2018 and December 2019 were included in a retrospective analysis. There were: 589 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies (LSGs); 110 Roux-en-Y bypasses (RYGBs) and 16 gastric bands (LAGBs). The video recording was systematically used, and all patients were enrolled in the IFSO registry. RESULTS: There were 15 patients (2.1%) with surgical postoperative complications: 5 leaks, 8 hemorrhages and 2 stenosis. Most complications were consequent to LSG, except for two, which occurred after RYGB. In four cases a site of active bleeding was identified. After reviewing the video, in three cases the site was correlated with an event which occurred during the initial procedure. Three out of five cases of leak following sleeve were treated purely endoscopically, and no potential correlated mechanism was identified. Two other possible benefits were observed: a better evaluation of the gastric pouch for the treatment of the ulcer post bypass and the review of one per operative incident. Two negative diagnostic laparoscopies were performed. The benefit of the systematic video recording was singled out in eight cases. All the other cases were completed by laparoscopy with no conversion. CONCLUSION: To record every bariatric procedure could help in understanding the mechanism of certain complications, especially when the analysis is performed within the team. Still, recording the procedure did not prevent the negative diagnostic laparoscopy, but it could play a significant role for the medico-legal aspect in the future.

Long-Term Results of One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: a Single Center Experience with a Minimum Follow-Up of 10 Years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the OAGB at least 10 years after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected data on consecutive morbid patients with obesity receiving OAGB from January 2005 to December 2007. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 149 months. Of all patients, 52% underwent OAGB as a primary procedure and 48% as a revisional procedure. At the 10-year follow-up, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.7 ± 11.8, the mean %TWL was 33.4 ± 10.6, and the mean %EWL was 64.1 ± 24.6. We did not find a significant statistical difference in terms of weight loss between primary OAGB and secondary OAGB. In total, 43% of patients achieved a %EWL greater than 75%, while 29% of the patients had an EWL% that was below 50%. All of the comorbidities related to obesity showed a high improvement or fully resolved. Early complications occurred in 9 patients (2.3%), while the overall rate of late complications was 17.1%. Nineteen patients (4.9%) developed an ulcer at the gastrojejunal anastomosis level, nine patients (2.3%) were re-hospitalized for major malnutrition, thirty-eight patients (9.8%) showed a postoperative biliary reflux, and five patients (2.7%) experienced severe anemia, which required several hospitalizations for iron I.V. supplementation. CONCLUSION: According to results of the present study, we believe that OAGB has shown to be a technique with a reasonable balance between long-term efficacy and undesirable sequelae.

The Nissen-Sleeve: Early Postoperative Complications.

Introduction: Nissen Sleeve (NS) was introduced in the bariatric armamentarium with the purpose to decrease the risk of reflux symptoms following sleeve gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate our personal experience with this new technique, in particular concerning early postoperative complications (<30 days). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected data on consecutive morbid patients with obesity receiving NS from December 2019 to August 2020. All data pertaining to each patient, including demographic data and preoperative and postoperative clinical data, were collected. Results: A total of 28 N-sleeve procedures were performed in the considered period. All the patients had a hiatal hernia that was evaluated between 2 and 6 cm of extent in the preoperative work. Esophagitis of stage A, according to the Los Angeles classification, was detected in 71% of the patients, while 8 out of 28 patients presented a stage B esophagitis. One of the patients had a preoperative diagnosis of Barrett esophagus. A complete disappearance of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms was achieved in 25 patients out of 28, while the remaining patients reported an improvement in symptoms and continued to be treated with low doses of proton pomp inhibitors. Two reinterventions (7.1%) were performed (Clavien-Dindo IIIb). Three other patients (10.7%) experienced a transient postoperative dysphagia that in one case persisted for 4 months (Clavien-Dindo II). All the patients were managed with conservative treatment, and in each case an endoscopic dilatation was necessary. Conclusions: NS appears to be a safe surgical technique with an acceptable early postoperative complication rate. NS appears to be effective in treating patients suffering from obesity and preoperative reflux, but the data are insufficient to establish whether it can reduce the long-term risk of de novo GERD in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients.

Revisional Surgery from Vertical Banded Gastroplasty to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with Gastric Resection.

Introduction: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) was a common bariatric procedure by laparotomy and or at the beginning of the laparoscopy, but nowadays it is almost an abandoned procedure. However, the young generation of bariatric surgeons should be aware about this procedure especially for revisional cases. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the procedure of choice for the revision of VBG. Materials and Methods: The evolution of revisional surgery to RYGB has known several technical steps. At the beginning, the procedure was performed with no gastric resection. Then a limited resection of the ancient staple line along with the fibrous tissue under the previous band or mesh was performed. The purpose of this article is to describe a simplified operative technique to simultaneously resect the ancient staple line and the calibration band. Results: After the initial viscrerolysis, an attempt to distinguish the course of the ancient section line of the stomach during the VBG is done. The dissection can become extremely challenging, with too much fibrosis and nonanatomical planes of dissection. At this point, we counsel to abandon the anterior direct dissection of the upper part of the stomach and to switch to a posterior dissection with the approach of greater curvature. Driven by the potential advantages (no risk of mucocele or gastrogastric fistula), for the past several years, we have changed the technique from resecting only the ancient staple line to perform a partial gastrectomy. The gastrectomy is larger and includes the complete resection of the gastric fundus, ancient staple line, the region with the mesh inside, and part of the gastric body. Once the stomach is extracted, the subsequent steps are similar to those of a primary RYGB. Conclusion: The procedure of choice for the revision of VBG is represented by RYGBP. Associating an atypical gastrectomy of the previous staple line with the region of mesh migration is a safe approach, eliminating the risk of mucocele.

Is the Morbidity Increased for Gastric Band Removal When the Band Is Placed Around the Esophagus?

Introduction: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) procedures declined worldwide in the recent years. In the majority of the national registers, the numbers of gastric band removal and revisions following LAGB have surpassed the implants. Still a good knowledge of different techniques is important for young bariatric surgeons to diminish the morbidity of revisional surgery. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2016, a total of 139 patients were retrospectively reviewed after undergoing a gastric band removal. The study included all consecutive patients who underwent a gastric band removal in this period of time with no exclusion criteria. Sixteen patients (18.8%) received the perigastric technique, 57 patients (67.1%) received the pars flaccid technique, 54 patients (38.8%) received bands with periesophageal technique, and for 12 patients (14.1%), the operative reports did not allow to identify the techniques used. In the present study, the operative times and the reported complications of the three main bands techniques were compared. Results: There were 124 women (89.2%) and 15 men (10.8%), with a median age of 44 years (range: 24-71). The overall mean preoperative body mass index was 34 ± 7.6 kg/m2 (range: 22-52 kg/m2), and the mean preoperative weight was 93.7 ± 24.9kg (range: 49-165 kg). One hundred and seventeen patients (84.2%) had procedures performed on an out-patient basis. The overall mean operative time was 23.9 ± 13.7 minutes (range: 7-83 minutes). We recorded three cases of bleeding with one conversion to laparotomy. The overall percentage of complications in the entire series was 6.5%. No mortality was recorded. Conclusions: Our study regarding the band removal revealed that no correlation was found for operative morbidity among the three different types of bands. The only proven difference was the operative time, which was greater for periesophageal approach. For the latter one, a particular attention should be paid to the risk of injury for diaphragmatic or left suprahepatic vein.

Operative morbidity of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in subjects older than age 65.

BACKGROUND: Continuous developments in healthcare have led to an increase in average life expectancy. Obesity in aged persons is increasing and is more clearly associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lipid abnormalities, mobility-limited problems, and other co-morbidities in this category of age. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to report the outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients >65 years of age. SETTING: Private hospital, France. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed from patients aged >65 years who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (June 2011-December 2017). The data analyzed included age, co-morbidities, preoperative body mass index, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included with a mean age of 68.8 years (range, 65-78); 73 were female (78.5 %), and the mean preoperative body mass index was 43.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2. Revisional surgery was well represented in 34.4% of cases. Thirty-two patients had a previous gastric band converted to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, with 12 cases of 1-step revision (37.5%). Eleven patients (11.8%) had concomitant cholecystectomy. All procedures were performed laparoscopically with no peroperative complications. The median hospital stay was 3.1 days (1-6 d). Complications included 1 hematoma treated conservatively. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. The mean excess weight loss at 1 year postoperatively was 67.1% (range, 34%-107%) with a follow-up rate of 78.1%. Resolution or improvement was observed in 65% of patients presenting with diabetes, in 72.5% of patients presenting with HTA, in 47.1% of patients presenting with dyslipidemia, and in 63.6% of patients presenting with sleep apnea. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve gastrectomy in elderly patients seems to be safe in terms of complications. Surgery is associated with a low-morbidity profile. Sleeve gastrectomy is our preferred procedure in this category of patients.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Learning Curve: Clinical and Economical Impact.

BACKGROUND: The results in the literature regarding the learning curve (LC) of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are scarce and non-definitive. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the LSG learning curve and intraoperative parameter variation, postoperative morbidity, weight loss results, and economic impact. METHODS: The first 99 obese patients undergoing LSG surgery by the same surgeon from March 2013 to April 2016 were included in the present study. Patients were equally distributed among three groups (A, B, C) based on case sequence. RESULTS: The three study groups were homogeneous with respect to age, BMI, gender, and comorbidities. There was a significant reduction in operative time among the groups (p < 0.00001), with a difference of approximately 40 min between the first and third groups. The decrease in operative time was associated with a decrease in the number of stapler firings used per LSG. Conversely, there was no statistical correlation between intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative complications, or weight loss 1-year postsurgery and the LSG learning curve. In addition, the increase in experience with LSG was also associated with a significant reduction (p < 0.00001) in the length of hospital stay. With respect to postoperative complications, a statistically significant difference was recorded between groups B and C (p = 0.02). Finally, a patient undergoing surgery at the end of the LC had an estimated reduction in economic impact of approximately 2700 Euros compared with a patient undergoing surgery at the beginning of the LC. CONCLUSION: Approximately 60 cases are required to reach proficiency in reducing postoperative complications and costs of LSG.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy follow-up: use of connected devices in the postoperative period.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most performed bariatric procedure worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of the use of connected devices in monitoring patients operated on by LSG and discharged 24 hours after surgery under the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. SETTING: Private hospital, France. METHODS: This is a prospective pilot study designed to assess the risk and benefit of using connected devices in the postoperative follow-up of patients operated on by LSG. Patients operated on with LSG were discharged 24 hours after surgery, and vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, and temperature were monitored via connected devices with data sent to an internet platform to make them immediately viewable by the surgeon. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 82 women and 18 men. The mean body mass index was 43.4 kg/m2, and the mean age was 39.6 years. Two patients were reoperated on for bleeding and, consequently, were excluded from the study. At postoperative day 8, 1 patient presented with tachycardia, fever, and mild abdominal discomfort. After the alert was received from the internet platform, the patient was immediately contacted, admitted to the ward, and promptly reoperated on. At 1 year after the surgery, the mean percentage of excess weight loss and total weight loss were 68.1 ± 18.1% and 36 ± 9.8 kg, respectively. For the patients not available for follow-up at the 1-year control, weight loss data were extrapolated from the internet platform. Globally, 92% of patients felt safe when they returned home, and 92% of patients would recommend this way of managing the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study shows that the early postoperative follow-up to an intervention such as LSG can be done at the patient's home under the monitoring of connected devices without a risk of increase in the rate of complications and rehospitalization. The role of the connected devices in the long-term postoperative follow-up seems promising.

Unusual presentation and treatment of biliary ileus with long term follow up: case report and review of the literature.

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. It accounts for 25% of nonstrangulated small bowel obstructions in patients over the age of 65 years. The morbidity and mortality rate of gallstone ileus remains very high, partly because of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. The two surgical options are: a) enterolithotomy with removal of impacted stone, cholecystectomy, and fistula repair at the same surgical operation (i.e., "one-stage" procedure) and b) enterolithotomy with stone extraction followed or not by elective biliary surgery. The latter is the most popular surgical approach, whereas enterolithotomy combined with cholecistectomy and fistulectomy is indicated only in selected cases. In this article, a case of biliary ileus with unusual presentation treated by entherolithotomy alone with long term follow up is described, and the literature on this subject is reviewed and discussed.