Is Routine Post-operative Biological Laboratory Assessment Necessary After Sleeve Gastrectomy?

BACKGROUND: Incidence of post-operative complications after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is low. However, the early identification of these complications remains crucial. Here, we report the impact of routine laboratory monitoring for the early diagnosis of complications after SG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2019, all consecutive patients who underwent primary SG (n = 457) were included. This was a comparative study of patients undergoing primary SG. Patients were divided into two groups: one group with routine laboratory monitoring performed at postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3 (LAB group) and another group without routine laboratory monitoring (control group). The study's primary endpoint was the overall impact of routine laboratory monitoring. The secondary endpoints were evaluation of patients with complications. RESULTS: The population in the two groups were similar in term of demographic and intra-operative data. There was a statistical difference between the two groups in term of length of stay (5.7 days in the LAB group and 3.5 days in the control group (p < 0.001)). There were 19 complications (6.0%) in the LAB group and 5 complications in the control group (3.5%) (p = 0.25). A cut-off C-reactive protein level of 46.3 mg/l was found to be significant (p = 0.006). In the LAB group, 9 patients (2.9%) required readmission vs. three patients (2.0%) in the control group (p = 0.62). CONCLUSION: The interest of routine laboratory monitoring after SG seems limited. Routine laboratory monitoring alone is not associated with earlier diagnosis of complications. This routine monitoring is associated with an increase of stay in hospital.

Endoscopic Follow-Up Between 3 and 7 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy Reveals Antral Reactive Gastropathy but no Barrett's Esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The main concerns following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) include the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications, such as Barrett's esophagus (BE). However, there is conflicting data on esophageal conditions, and studies on alterations of gastric mucosa after SG are lacking, despite reported cases of gastric cancer. Our aim was to assess esophageal and gastric lesions after SG. METHODS: From November 2017, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) was proposed at least 3 years after SG to all patients operated on in our institution. Endoscopic results and gastric histological findings were analyzed. BE was defined as endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia with histological intestinal metaplasia. RESULTS: Between September 2008 and August 2018, 375 patients underwent SG at our institution, of which 162 (43%) underwent at least one UGE 3 years or more after SG (91% women, mean preoperative age: 43.3±10.3 years). Despite a significant increase in the prevalence of symptomatic GERD, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis after SG (p<0.001 vs. preoperatively), no cases of BE were detected. Gastric dysplasia was not found and the prevalence of gastric atrophy tended to decrease after SG. However, 27% of patients with gastric biopsies developed antral reactive gastropathy. CONCLUSIONS: At a mean follow-up of 54 months after SG, no BE or gastric dysplasia was identified. However, reactive gastric lesions appeared, and their long-term consequences need to be further clarified. Thus, the timing of endoscopic follow-up, starting as early as 3 years after SG should be reevaluated to improve patient adherence with long-term endoscopies.

Clinical spectrum and frequency of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in Italy: Data from the National CMT Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data are reported from the Italian CMT Registry. METHODS: The Italian CMT Registry is a dual registry where the patient registers and chooses a reference center where the attending clinician collects a minimal dataset of information and administers the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Examination/Neuropathy Score. Entered data are encrypted. RESULTS: Overall, 1012 patients had registered (535 females) and 711 had received a genetic diagnosis. Demyelinating CMT (65.3%) was more common than axonal CMT2 (24.6%) and intermediate CMT (9.0%). The PMP22 duplication was the most frequent mutation (45.2%), followed by variants in GJB1 and MPZ (both ~10%) and MFN2 (3.3%) genes. A relatively high mutation rate in some "rare" genes (HSPB1 1.6%, NEFL 1.5%, SH3TC2 1.5%) and the presence of multiple mutation clusters across Italy was observed. CMT4A was the most disabling type, followed by CMT4C and CMT1E. Disease progression rate differed depending on the CMT subtype. Foot deformities and walking difficulties were the main features. Shoe inserts and orthotic aids were used by almost one-half of all patients. Scoliosis was present in 20% of patients, especially in CMT4C. Recessive forms had more frequently walking delay, walking support need and wheelchair use. Hip dysplasia occurred in early-onset CMT. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian CMT Registry has proven to be a powerful data source to collect information about epidemiology and genetic distribution, clinical features and disease progression of CMT in Italy and is a useful tool for recruiting patients in forthcoming clinical trials.

Frequency, entity and determinants of fatigue in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fatigue, a disabling symptom in many neuromuscular disorders, has been reported also in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). The presence of fatigue and its correlations in CMT was investigated. METHODS: The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was administered to CMT patients from the Italian Registry and a control group. An MFIS score >38 indicated abnormal fatigue. The correlation with disease severity and clinical characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, and drug use was analysed. RESULTS: Data were collected from 251 CMT patients (136 women) and 57 controls. MFIS total (mean ± standard deviation 32 ± 18.3, median 33), physical (18.9 ± 9.7, 20) and psychosocial (2.9 ± 2.4, 3) scores in CMT patients were significantly higher than controls. Abnormal fatigue occurred in 36% of the patients who, compared to patients with normal scores, had more severe disease (median CMT Examination Score 9 vs. 7), more frequent use of foot orthotics (22% vs. 11%), need of support for walking (21% vs. 8%), hand disability (70% vs. 52%) and positive sensory symptoms (56% vs. 36%). Patients with abnormal fatigue had significantly increased frequency of anxiety/depression/general distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), somnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), obesity (body mass index ≥ 30) and use of anxiolytic/antidepressant or anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue is a relevant symptom in CMT as 36% of our series had scores indicating abnormal fatigue. It correlated with disease severity but also with anxiety, depression, sleepiness and obesity, indicating different components in the generation of fatigue. CMT patients' management must include treatment of fatigue and of its different generators, including general distress, sleepiness and obesity.

Endoscopy management of sleeve gastrectomy stenosis: what we learned from 202 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastric sleeve stenosis (GSS) is described in 1%-4% of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of endoscopy in the management of stenosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using a standardized approach according to the characteristic of stenosis. SETTING: Retrospective, observational, single-center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center. METHODS: We enrolled 202 patients. All patients underwent endoscopy in a fluoroscopy setting, and a systematic classification of the type, site, and length of the GSS was performed. According to the characteristics of the stenosis, patients underwent pneumatic dilatation or placement of a self-expandable metal stent or a lumen-apposed metal stent. Failure of endoscopic treatment was considered an indication for redo surgery, whereas patients with partial or complete response were followed up for 2 years. In the event of a recurrence, a different endoscopic approach was used. RESULTS: We found inflammatory strictures in 4.5% of patients, pure narrowing in 11%, and functional stenosis in 84.5%. Stenosis was in the upper tract of the stomach in 53 patients, whereas medium and distal stenosis was detected in 138 and 11 patients, respectively, and short stenosis in 194 patients. A total of 126 patients underwent pneumatic dilatation, 8 self-expandable metal stent placement, 64 lumen-apposed metal stent positioning, and 36 combined therapy. The overall rate of endoscopy success was 69%. CONCLUSION: GSS should be considered to be a chronic disease, and the endoscopic approach seems to be the most successful treatment, with a prolonged positive outcome of 69%. Characteristics of the stenosis should guide the most suitable endoscopic approach.

Anxiety and depression in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: data from the Italian CMT national registry.

BACKGROUND: There is little information about neuropsychiatric comorbidities in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). We assessed frequency of anxiety, depression, and general distress in CMT. METHODS: We administered online the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS) to CMT patients of the Italian registry and controls. HADS-A and HADS-D scores ≥ 11 defined the presence of anxiety/depression and HADS total score (HADS-T) ≥ 22 of general distress. We analysed correlation with disease severity and clinical characteristics, use of anxiolytics/antidepressants and analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs. RESULTS: We collected data from 252 CMT patients (137 females) and 56 controls. CMT patient scores for anxiety (mean ± standard deviation, 6.7 ± 4.8), depression (4.5 ± 4.0), and general distress (11.5 ± 8.1) did not differ from controls and the Italian population. However, compared to controls, the percentages of subjects with depression (10% vs 2%) and general distress (14% vs 4%) were significantly higher in CMT patients. We found no association between HADS scores and disease duration or CMT type. Patients with general distress showed more severe disease and higher rate of positive sensory symptoms. Depressed patients also had more severe disease. Nineteen percent of CMT patients took antidepressants/anxiolytics (12% daily) and 70% analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients with anxiety, depression, and distress reported higher consumption of anxiolytics/antidepressants. About 50% of patients with depression and/or general distress did not receive any specific pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An appreciable proportion of CMT patients shows general distress and depression. Both correlated with disease severity and consumption of antidepressants/anxiolytics, suggesting that the disease itself is contributing to general distress and depression.

Conversion of One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Results of a Retrospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) may expose the patient to certain specific complications. Here, we report the results of conversion of OAGB to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in terms of outcomes and weight loss. METHODS: Between January 2009 and January 2019, all patients undergoing conversion of OAGB to RYGB because of complications due to OAGB (n = 23) were included. The primary efficacy endpoint was the effectiveness of converting OAGB to RYGB. The secondary endpoints were overall mortality and morbidity during the first 3 postoperative months, specific morbidity, reoperation, length of hospitalization, weight loss, and progression of comorbidities related to obesity at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Indications for conversion were bile reflux (n = 14; 60.9%), severe malnutrition (n = 3; 13%), gastro-gastric fistula (n = 4; 17.4%), and anastomotic leak (n = 2; 8.7%). The median time interval between OAGB and conversion to RYGB was 34 months (0-158). At the time of RYGB, median body mass index (BMI) was 28.0 kg/m2 (18.2-50.7), representing a median BMI change of 14.0 (- 1.7-43.5). Fifteen surgeries (65.1%) were completed laparoscopically. Five complications (21.7%) were recorded, including 2 major ones (8.7%). Reoperation rate was 4.3% (n = 1). At 24 months of follow-up (n = 18; 78.3%), median BMI was 28.7 kg/m2 (19.4-35.4), representing a median BMI change of 19.5 (12.2-43.1). No patient complained of bile reflux or persistent malnutrition. CONCLUSION: RYGB performed as revisional surgery for complications after OAGB is an effective procedure with no major weight regain at 2 years of follow-up.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as a salvage solution for severe and refractory gastroparesis in malnourished patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis (GP) is a rare condition for which several symptomatic treatments are available, but they may fail, leading to a discussion of gastrectomy. Few studies have described gastric-preserving surgery, particularly in malnourished patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of severe refractory GP with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). SETTING: A university center. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of adult patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB. Severity and frequency of GP symptoms were compared before and 1 year after surgery using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) score (0-5), the vomiting (VM) score (0-4), and the visual analog scale (VAS) for abdominal pain. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients with refractory GP, 7 were malnourished and 2 had obesity. There were no postoperative deaths. One patient was operated on for internal hernia without bowel necrosis. The mean GCSI score decreased significantly from 3.6 (range: 1-5) preoperatively to 2.1 (range: .3-4.4) postoperatively (P = .0019). The mean VM score improved significantly after surgery, from .22 (range: 0-1 units) preoperatively to 2.55 (range: 1-4) postoperatively (P = .007). The mean VAS score also decreased significantly from 7.0 (range: 5-9) preoperatively to 2.44 (range: 0-7) postoperatively (P = .0015). A nonsignificant weight and albumin change was observed at 1 year postoperatively, with a tendency for weight regain in malnourished patients. CONCLUSION: In malnourished patients with severe and refractory GP, this study suggests the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of RYGB for the treatment of vomiting and abdominal pain.

Prospective comparison of transient elastography, MRI and serum scores for grading steatosis and detecting non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in bariatric surgery candidates.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Tools for the non-invasive diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in morbidly obese patients with suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are an unmet clinical need. We prospectively compared the performance of transient elastography, MRI, and 3 serum scores for the diagnosis of NAFLD, grading of steatosis and detection of NASH in bariatric surgery candidates. METHODS: Of 186 patients screened, 152 underwent liver biopsy, which was used as a reference for NAFLD (steatosis [S]>5%), steatosis grading and NASH diagnosis. Biopsies were read by a single expert pathologist. MRI-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) was measured in an open-bore, vertical field 1.0T scanner and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was measured by transient elastography, using the XL probe. Serum scores (SteatoTest, hepatic steatosis index and fatty liver index) were also calculated. RESULTS: The applicability of MRI was better than that of FibroScan (98% vs. 79%; p <0.0001). CAP had AUROCs of 0.83, 0.79, 0.73 and 0.69 for S>5%, S>33%, S>66% and NASH, respectively. Transient elastography had an AUROC of 0.80 for significant fibrosis (F0-F1 vs. F2-F3). MRI-PDFF had AUROCs of 0.97, 0.95, 0.92 and 0.84 for S>5%, S>33%, S>66% and NASH, respectively. When compared head-to-head in the 97 patients with all valid tests available, MRI-PDFF outperformed CAP for grading steatosis (S>33%, AUROC 0.97 vs. 0.78; p <0.0003 and S>66%, AUROC 0.93 vs. 0.75; p = 0.0015) and diagnosing NASH (AUROC 0.82 vs. 0.68; p = 0.0056). When compared in "intention to diagnose" analysis, MRI-PDFF outperformed CAP, hepatic steatosis index and fatty liver index for grading steatosis (S>5%, S>33% and S>66%). CONCLUSION: MRI-PDFF outperforms CAP for diagnosing NAFLD, grading steatosis and excluding NASH in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. LAY SUMMARY: Non-invasive tests for detecting fatty liver and steatohepatitis, the active form of the disease, have not been well studied in obese patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery. The most popular tests for this purpose are Fibroscan, which can be used to measure the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and magnetic resonance imaging, which can be used to measure the proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). We found that, when taking liver biopsy as a reference, MRI-PDFF performed better than CAP for detecting and grading fatty liver as well as excluding steatohepatitis in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Endoscopic Management of Bariatric Surgery Complications According to a Standardized Algorithm.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopy is effective in management of bariatric surgery (BS) adverse events (AEs) but a comprehensive evaluation of long-term results is lacking. Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of a standardized algorithm for the treatment of BS-AE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1020 consecutive patients treated in our center from 2012 to 2020, collecting data on demographics, type of BS, complications, and endoscopic treatment. Clinical success (CS) was evaluated considering referral delay, healing time, surgery, and complications type. Logistic regression was performed to identify variables of CS. RESULTS: In the study period, we treated 339 fistulae (33.2%), 324 leaks (31.8%), 198 post-sleeve gastrectomy twist/stenosis (19.4%), 95 post-RYGB stenosis (9.3 %), 37 collections (3.6%), 15 LAGB migrations (1.5%), 7 weight regains (0.7%), and 2 hemorrhages (0.2%). Main endoscopic treatments were as follows: pigtail-stent positioning under endoscopic view for both leaks (CS 86.1%) and fistulas (CS 77.2%), or under EUS-guidance for collections (CS 88.2%); dilations and/or stent positioning for sleeve twist/stenosis (CS 80.6%) and bypass stenosis (CS 81.5%). After a median (IQR) follow-up of 18.5 months (4.29-38.68), complications rate was 1.9%. We found a 1% increased risk of redo-surgery every 10 days of delay to the first endoscopic treatment. Endoscopically treated patients had a more frequent regular diet compared to re-operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of BS-AEs following a standardized algorithm is safe and effective. Early endoscopic treatment is associated with an increased CS rate.

Endoscopic internal drainage for the management of leak, fistula, and collection after sleeve gastrectomy: our experience in 617 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in the management of adverse events (AE) following bariatric surgery. Leaks, fistulae, and post-operative collection after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may occur in up to 10% of cases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic internal drainage (EID) for the management of leak, fistula, and collection following SG. SETTING: Retrospective, observational, single center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center. METHODS: EID was used as first-line treatment for the management of leaks, fistulae, and collections. Leaks and fistulae were treated with double pigtail stent (DPS) deployment in order to guarantee internal drainage and second intention cavity obliteration. Collections were treated with endoscropic ultrasound (EUS)-guided deployment of DPS or lumen apposing metal stents. RESULTS: A total of 617 patients (83.3% female; mean age, 43.1 yr) were enrolled in the study for leak (n = 300, 48.6%), fistula (n = 285, 46.2%), and collection (n = 32, 5.2%). Median follow-up was 19.5 months. Overall clinical success was 84.7% whereas 15.3% of cases required revisional surgery after EID failure. Clinical success according to type of AE was 89.5%, 78.5%, and 90% for leak, fistula, and collection, respectively. A total of 10 of 547 (1.8%) presented a recurrence during follow-up. A total of 28 (4.5%) AE related to the endoscopic treatment occurred. At univariate logistic regression predictors of failure were: fistula (OR 2.012), combined endoscopic approach (OR 2.319), need for emergency surgery (OR 1.755), and previous endoscopic treatment (OR 4.818). CONCLUSION: Early EID for the management of leak, fistula, and post-operative collection after SG seems a safe and effective first-line approach with good long-term results.

Pregnancy in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: Data from the Italian CMT national registry.

OBJECTIVE: To collect information on frequency of pregnancy and delivery complications in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and on CMT course during pregnancy. METHODS: Through an ad hoc online questionnaire, we investigated pregnancy and neuropathy course in women with CMT adhering to the Italian CMT Registry. Data were compared to those of controls (recruited among friends and unaffected relatives) and the Italian (or other reference) population. RESULTS: We collected data on 193 pregnancies from 86 women with CMT (age 20-73 years) with 157 deliveries (81.4%) after a mean of 38.6 gestational weeks. In women with CMT, there were no differences compared to controls (59 pregnancies and 46 deliveries from 24 controls) and the reference population for miscarriages (11.4%) and planned (21.0%) and emergency (14.0%) cesarean sections. We found a significantly higher frequency of placenta previa (1.6% vs 0.4%), abnormal fetal presentations (8.4% vs 4.5%), and preterm deliveries (20.3% vs 6.9%; most in week 34-36 of gestation) compared to reference populations. Excluding twins, newborn weight did not differ from the reference population. Postpartum bleeding rate in patients with CMT (2.1%) was similar to that of the general population (2.4%). CMT status worsened during 18 of 193 pregnancies (9.3%) with no recovery in 16 of them and with similar figures in the CMT1A and non-CMT1A subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed higher rates of placenta previa, abnormal presentations, and preterm deliveries in CMT, but pregnancy outcome and newborn weight and health were similar to those of the reference populations. Worsening of CMT is not infrequent and occurs not only in CMT1A. Pregnant women with CMT should be monitored with particular care.

ATTRv amyloidosis Italian Registry: clinical and epidemiological data.

INTRODUCTION: ATTRv amyloidosis is worldwide spread with endemic foci in Portugal and Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Maiorca, and Cyprus. A national Registry was developed to characterise the epidemiology and genotype-phenotype correlation of ATTRv amyloidosis in Italy and to allow a better planning of diagnostic and therapeutic services. METHODS: Fifteen Italian referral centres for amyloidosis spread all over the country have contributed to the Registry. RESULTS: Four-hundred-forty-seven subjects were enrolled, 187 asymptomatic carriers and 260 affected patients. Thirty-one different mutations were recorded. The seven most represented genetic variants were significantly different in terms of age at onset, clinical features and geographical distribution. National prevalence is 4.33/million with higher values in Southern Italy. Overall symptoms of polyneuropathy were present at disease onset in about half of the patients, symptoms of cardiomyopathy in a quarter of patients, the rest referring carpal tunnel syndrome, dysautonomia or lumbar spinal stenosis. 52.6% of patients were in FAP stage 1, 20.4% in stage 2 and 13.5% in stage 3, while 13.5% patients had no neuropathy, presenting only cardiological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We presented an epidemiological study based on collaboration among referral centres for ATTRv amyloidosis spread in all the Italian territory, using web-based Registry. It provided a detailed map of the regional distribution of the disease. The increased awareness of the disease among general practitioners and medical specialists has contributed to reduce the diagnostic delay and the rate of misdiagnosis. The Registry will allow to collect also future information about clinical and instrumental follow-up.

Correction to: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Childbearing Female Candidates for Bariatric Surgery, Pregnancy, and Post-Partum Management after Bariatric Surgery.

In the original article, due to an XML tagging error the name of Véronique Taillard was omitted from the list of members of the French Study Group for Bariatric Surgery and Maternity (the BARIA-MAT Group). The correct list is as follows.

Validation of the Italian version of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Health Index.

The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Health Index (CMT-HI) is a disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure measuring overall disease burden in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) patients, designed for natural history studies and clinical trials in English-speaking affected individuals. We developed and validated its Italian Charcot-Marie-Tooth Health Index (I-CMT-HI) version. The questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted from source into Italian by two neurologists experienced in CMT and neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The two translations were reviewed by a panel of seven experts in CMT and NMD. The provisional version was back-translated into English by a professional translator. The definitive Italian version was developed during a consensus teleconference by the panel and a patient representative from ACMT-Rete. A series of clinically and genetically characterized CMT patients completed the final questionnaire; 11 participated in a test-retest reliability assessment of the instrument. The I-CMT-HI was administered to 30 CMT patients (13 CMT1A, eight CMTX1, two CMT1B, two CMT1E, two CMT2I, one CMT2A, one CMT2N, one distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy), with test-rest in 11:14 females and 16 males, aged (mean ± SD) 48.0 ± 16.4 years (range 18-81), with CMT Examination Score (CMTES) = 10.0 ± 4.4 (range 2-18). The I-CMT-HI mean total score was 29.4 ± 21.2 (range 0.1-60.3). The I-CMT-HI showed a high test-retest reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.99). No patient had difficulty in completing the questionnaire and none reported any problem with the questions' formulation. The total CMT-HI score was positively correlated with age and CMTES, with higher disease burden with increasing age and disease severity according to the CMTES. The I-CMT-HI is now ready for use in clinical studies in the Italian population.

Prevalence and Determinants of Nutritional Deficiencies at Mid-Term After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies reported a risk of nutritional deficiencies after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Systematic long-term multivitamin (MV) supplementation after SG is recommended by guidelines but not followed in practice in France. OBJECTIVES: To assess the determinants of nutritional status at 2 years or more after SG in patients treated or not with MV. METHODS: Nutritional parameters were prospectively recorded in our database from 2004. All patients who came back in our institution for follow-up at 2 years or more after SG were included. The last visit available was selected. Systematic MV was stopped at 1 year after SG except if there is risk of malnutrition. A deficiency was defined by a biological deficit or the need for a specific supplement, prescribed in accordance with biological deficit. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients were included with a mean follow-up of 44 ± 17 months: 39 were still taking MV and 108 had stopped MV. Caloric and protein intake was lower, and albumin deficiencies were more frequent in patients still taking MV, as expected. The total number of deficiencies was not significantly different before and after SG even in patients without MV (3.7 ± 1.8 vs. 3.5 ± 1.8), but patients without MV tended to have more group B vitamin deficiencies after surgery. The main determinants of postoperative deficiencies were preoperative concentrations. CONCLUSION: Nutritional deficiencies are not more common after than before SG, even among patients who stopped MV. The interest of targeted supplementation in patients with deficiencies rather than systematic supplementation after SG needs to be confirmed by randomized studies.

What Are the Micronutrient Deficiencies Responsible for the Most Common Nutritional Symptoms After Bariatric Surgery?

BACKGROUND: Many patients complain of nutritional symptoms after bariatric surgery (BS), including hair loss, cramps, and paresthesia, but their link with biological alterations has been poorly studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess in a large cohort of subjects the relationship between nutritional symptoms and biological deficits both in the short term (ST ≤ 1 year) and long term (LT ≥ 3 years) after the 2 most common procedures, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). METHODS: Nutritional symptoms and biological parameters (including vitamins, minerals, and protein parameters) were prospectively recorded. All subjects with complete clinical and biological assessments from 2011 to 2018 were included. RESULTS: After BS, 555 subjects were studied in the ST (50% RYGB) and 494 in the LT (79% RYGB); multivitamin intake was 97% and 78%, respectively. The proportion of patients with hair loss decreased from 65 (ST) to 35% (LT) (p < 0.001). In contrast, cramps increase from 7 to 32% and paresthesia from 11 to 18% (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between SG and RYGB. In subjects with hair loss, blood parameters of protein and iron metabolism were significantly lower than in subjects without hair loss, both in the ST and LT. In contrast, neither zinc nor group B vitamin levels were significantly different. None of the nutritional parameters tested was clearly associated with cramps and paresthesia. CONCLUSION: After BS, the most frequent nutritional symptom is hair loss, essentially linked to iron and protein deficiencies. The causes of other nutritional symptoms are less clear and probably more heterogeneous.

Management of surgical complications of previous bariatric surgery in pregnant women. A systematic review from the BARIA-MAT Study Group.

Considering the large and increasing population of women of childbearing age with history of bariatric surgery, surgical complications of bariatric surgery during pregnancy may become more frequent in the future. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of surgical complications of bariatric surgery during pregnancies. A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis) guidelines to identify all studies published up to and including December 2018 that included women with previous bariatric surgery undergoing emergency surgery during pregnancy. Sixty-eight studies were selected, including 120 women with previous bariatric surgery undergoing emergency surgery during pregnancy. Fifty cases were reported as case reports and 70 in case series. Included patients had previous history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 99), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (n = 17), Scopinaro procedure (n = 2), vertical banded gastroplasty (n = 1), or one-anastomosis gastric bypass (n = 1). Final diagnosis in 50 case reports was internal hernia in 26 cases, bowel intussusception in 10, intestinal obstruction in 2, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding slippage in 3, bowel volvulus in 3, gastric or jejunal perforation in 2, and other complications in 4 cases. Maternal and fetal death occurred in 3 (2.5%) and 9 cases (7.5%), respectively. In the case series, the majority of women were operated for internal hernia and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding slippage. Surgical complications of previous bariatric surgery during pregnancy have potentially severe outcomes. Availability of multidisciplinary expertise, including bariatric/digestive surgeons, and education of healthcare providers and women on clinical signs that require urgent surgical examination are recommended in this setting. Prompt diagnosis is fundamental and based on clinical and laboratory findings and on radiologic examinations if needed, including computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance if available. Rapid surgical exploration is mandatory in case of high clinical and/or radiologic suspicion.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Childbearing Female Candidates for Bariatric Surgery, Pregnancy, and Post-partum Management After Bariatric Surgery.

Emerging evidence suggests that bariatric surgery improves pregnancy outcomes of women with obesity by reducing the rates of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and macrosomia. However, it is associated with an increased risk of a small-for-gestational-age fetus and prematurity. Based on the work of a multidisciplinary task force, we propose clinical practice recommendations for pregnancy management following bariatric surgery. They are derived from a comprehensive review of the literature, existing guidelines, and expert opinion covering the preferred type of surgery for women of childbearing age, timing between surgery and pregnancy, contraception, systematic nutritional support and management of nutritional deficiencies, screening and management of gestational diabetes, weight gain during pregnancy, gastric banding management, surgical emergencies, obstetrical management, and specific care in the postpartum period and for newborns.

Comparison of Repeat Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Case of Weight Loss Failure After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Few series are available on the results of repeat sleeve gastrectomy (re-SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) performed to manage the failure of primary sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The objective of this study was to compare the short- and medium-term outcomes of re-SG and RYGB after SG. MATERIAL & METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2017, patients undergoing re-SG (n = 61) and RYGB (n = 83) for failure of primary SG were included in this study. Revisional surgery was proposed for patients with insufficient excess weight loss (EWL ≤ 50%) or weight regain. The primary endpoint was the comparison of weight loss in the re-SG group and the RYGB group at the 1-year follow-up. The secondary endpoints were overall mortality and morbidity, specific morbidity, length of stay, weight loss, and correction of comorbidities. RESULTS: The mean interval between SG and re-SG was 41.5 vs. 43.2 months between SG and RYGB (p = 0.32). The mean operative time was 103 min (re-SG group) vs. 129.4 min (RYGB group). One death (1.7%; re-SG group) and 25 complications (17.4%; 9 in the re-SG group, 16 in the RYGB group) were observed. At the 1 year, mean body mass index was 31.6 in the re-SG group and 32.5 in the RYGB group (p = 0.61) and excess weight loss was 69.5 vs. 61.2, respectively (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Re-SG and RYGB as revisional surgery for SG are feasible with acceptable outcomes and similar results on weight loss on the first postoperative year.