Current recommendations for procedure selection in class I and II obesity developed by an expert modified Delphi consensus.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is widely considered the most effective option for treating obesity, a chronic, relapsing, and progressive disease. Recently, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) issued new guidelines on the indications for MBS, which have superseded the previous 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines. The aim of this study is to establish the first set of consensus guidelines for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, using an Expert Modified Delphi Method. In this study, 78 experienced bariatric surgeons from 32 countries participated in a two-round Modified Delphi consensus voting process. The threshold for consensus was set at an agreement or disagreement of ≥ 70.0% among the experts. The experts reached a consensus on 54 statements. The committee of experts reached a consensus that MBS is a cost-effective treatment option for Class II obesity and for patients with Class I obesity who have not achieved significant weight loss through non-surgical methods. MBS was also considered suitable for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. The committee identified intra-gastric balloon (IGB) as a treatment option for patients with class I obesity and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) as an option for patients with class I and II obesity, as well as for patients with T2DM and a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Sleeve gastrectomy (1) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were also recognized as viable treatment options for these patient groups. The committee also agreed that one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a suitable option for patients with Class II obesity and T2DM, regardless of the presence or severity of obesity-related medical problems. The recommendations for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, developed through an Expert Modified Delphi Consensus, suggest that the use of standard primary bariatric endoscopic (IGB, ESG) and surgical procedures (SG, RYGB, OAGB) are acceptable in these patient groups, as consensus was reached regarding these procedures. However, randomized controlled trials are still needed in Class I and II Obesity to identify the best treatment approach for these patients in the future.

Shifting paradigms: protocol implementation to reduce length of stay for bariatric surgery following the pandemic at a high volume bariatric center.

BACKGROUND: With the Covid-19 pandemic reducing the capacity to perform elective bariatric surgical cases, a multidisciplinary approach to reducing length of stay has been essential to continue providing this service. In conjunction with the use of our local ERAS protocols, same day discharge (SDD) and early next day discharge (NDD) for bariatric surgery is becoming more of a reality. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of our new protocols targeted at reducing length of stay (LOS) for our bariatric surgery patients during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of readmission and complications compared to baseline data. METHODS: The MBSAQIP data set was analyzed identifying patients who underwent laparoscopic roux-en- Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) from April to November 2021. Mean LOS and complication rates including re-admission in this baseline group were documented. This was compared to a cohort who underwent the surgeries between December 2021 and February 2022 under our new protocols for early discharge. RESULTS: 195 patients underwent bariatric surgery in the baseline group and 87 patients in the early discharge cohort were included. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean LOS comparing baseline group (34.5 h) and next day PACU discharges (25 h) with P = 0.004. No increase in complication rate from the early discharge cohort against the baseline group. (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: SDD and NDD in carefully selected bariatric surgery patients is feasible with good outcomes. With ERAS protocols as a foundation and a multidisciplinary approach, this can be achieved in spite of pressures placed on bariatric units by the pandemic.

Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy for Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes Across Race and Ethnicity in the PCORnet Bariatric Study Cohort.

Importance: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity; yet it is unclear whether the long-term safety and comparative effectiveness of these operations differ across racial and ethnic groups. Objective: To compare outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) across racial and ethnic groups in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective, observational, comparative effectiveness cohort study that comprised 25 health care systems in the PCORnet Bariatric Study. Patients were adults and adolescents aged 12 to 79 years who underwent a primary (first nonrevisional) RYGB or SG operation between January 1, 2005, and September 30, 2015, at participating health systems. Patient race and ethnicity included Black, Hispanic, White, other, and unrecorded. Data were analyzed from July 1, 2021, to January 17, 2022. Exposure: RYGB or SG. Outcomes: Percentage total weight loss (%TWL); type 2 diabetes remission, relapse, and change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level; and postsurgical safety and utilization outcomes (operations, interventions, revisions/conversions, endoscopy, hospitalizations, mortality, 30-day major adverse events) at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery. Results: A total of 36 871 patients (mean [SE] age, 45.0 [11.7] years; 29 746 female patients [81%]) were included in the weight analysis. Patients identified with the following race and ethnic categories: 6891 Black (19%), 8756 Hispanic (24%), 19 645 White (53%), 826 other (2%), and 783 unrecorded (2%). Weight loss and mean reductions in HbA1c level were larger for RYGB than SG in all years for Black, Hispanic, and White patients (difference in 5-year weight loss: Black, -7.6%; 95% CI, -8.0 to -7.1; P < .001; Hispanic, -6.2%; 95% CI, -6.6 to -5.9; P < .001; White, -5.9%; 95% CI, -6.3 to -5.7; P < .001; difference in change in year 5 HbA1c level: Black, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.08; P = .009; Hispanic, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.61 to -0.29; P < .001; and White, -0.25; 95% CI, -0.40 to -0.11; P = .001.) The magnitude of these differences was small among racial and ethnic groups (1%-3% of %TWL). Black and Hispanic patients had higher risk of hospitalization when they had RYGB compared with SG (hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.17-1.79; P = .001 and 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22-1.79; P < .001, respectively). Hispanic patients had greater risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.24-4.70; P = .01) and higher odds of a 30-day major adverse event (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.38-2.68; P < .001) for RYGB compared with SG. There was no interaction between race and ethnicity and operation type for diabetes remission and relapse. Conclusions and Relevance: Variability of the comparative effectiveness of operations for %TWL and HbA1c level across race and ethnicity was clinically small; however, differences in safety and utilization outcomes were clinically and statistically significant for Black and Hispanic patients who had RYGB compared with SG. These findings can inform shared decision-making regarding bariatric operation choice for different racial and ethnic groups of patients.

Association of Preoperative Glycosylated Hemoglobin Level with 30-Day Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: an Analysis of the ACS-MBSAQIP Database.

PURPOSE: Elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality following several cardiac, colorectal, orthopedic, and vascular surgery operations. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a HgA1c cut-point that can be used in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to decrease the risk of 30-day wound events and additional 30-day morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing first-time, elective Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and a preoperative HbA1c level were identified within the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (ACS-MBSAQIP) database. The association of preoperative HbA1c levels with 30-day morbidity and mortality was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 13,806 patients met inclusion criteria. Two natural HbA1c inflection points for composite wound events, including superficial, deep, and organ space surgical site infections (SSI) and wound dehiscence, were found. A HbA1c level of ≤ 6.5% was associated with a decreased odds of experiencing the composite 30-day wound event outcome while a HbA1c level of > 8.6% was associated with an increased odds of experiencing the composite 30-day wound event outcome. The differences in the incidence of the 30-day composite wound event outcomes were driven primarily by superficial and organ space SSI, including anastomotic leaks. CONCLUSION: Patients with DM being evaluated for RYGB surgery with a HbA1c level > 8.6% are at an increased risk for 30-day wound events, including superficial and organ space SSI.

Interventions and Operations 5 Years After Bariatric Surgery in a Cohort From the US National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network Bariatric Study.

Importance: Additional data comparing longer-term problems associated with various bariatric surgical procedures are needed for shared decision-making. Objective: To compare the risks of intervention, operation, endoscopy, hospitalization, and mortality up to 5 years after 2 bariatric surgical procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants: Adults who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between January 1, 2005, and September 30, 2015, within the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network. Data from 33 560 adults at 10 centers within 4 clinical data research networks were included in this cohort study. Information was extracted from electronic health records using a common data model and linked to insurance claims and mortality indices. Analyses were conducted from January 2018 through October 2019. Exposures: Bariatric surgical procedures. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time until operation or intervention. Secondary outcomes included endoscopy, hospitalization, and mortality rates. Results: Of 33 560 adults, 18 056 (54%) underwent RYGB, and 15 504 (46%) underwent SG. The median (interquartile range) follow-up for operation or intervention was 3.4 (1.6-5.0) years for RYGB and 2.2 (0.9-3.6) years for SG. The overall mean (SD) patient age was 45.0 (11.5) years, and the overall mean (SD) patient body mass index was 49.1 (7.9). The cohort was composed predominantly of women (80%) and white individuals (66%), with 26% of Hispanic ethnicity. Operation or intervention was less likely for SG than for RYGB (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79; P < .001). The estimated, adjusted cumulative incidence rates of operation or intervention at 5 years were 8.94% (95% CI, 8.23%-9.65%) for SG and 12.27% (95% CI, 11.49%-13.05%) for RYGB. Hospitalization was less likely for SG than for RYGB (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78-0.87; P < .001), and the 5-year adjusted cumulative incidence rates were 32.79% (95% CI, 31.62%-33.94%) for SG and 38.33% (95% CI, 37.17%-39.46%) for RYGB. Endoscopy was less likely for SG than for RYGB (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.43-0.52; P < .001), and the adjusted cumulative incidence rates at 5 years were 7.80% (95% CI, 7.15%-8.43%) for SG and 15.83% (95% CI, 14.94%-16.71%) for RYGB. There were no differences in all-cause mortality between SG and RYGB. Conclusions and Relevance: Interventions, operations, and hospitalizations were relatively common after bariatric surgical procedures and were more often associated with RYGB than SG. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02741674.

Understanding the Bariatric Patient Perspective in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded the National Patient Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study (PBS). Understanding the experience of postoperative patients was a key component of this study. METHODS: Nine focus groups were conducted in Southern California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and in a national advocacy conference for patients with obesity. Participants were identified and recruited in both clinical and community settings. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to identify global overarching themes. RESULTS: There were 76 focus group participants. Participants were mostly women (81.4%), had primarily undergone gastric sleeve (47.0%), were non-Hispanic white (51.4%), had some college education (44.3%), and made $100,000 annual income or less (65.7%). Qualitative findings included negative reactions patients received from friends, family, and co-workers once they disclosed that they had bariatric surgery to lose weight; and barriers to follow-up care included insurance coverage, emotional and situational challenges, and physical pain limiting mobility. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the other qualitative findings in this area. The approach to bariatric surgery should be expanded to provide long-term comprehensive care that includes in-depth postoperative lifetime monitoring of emotional and physical health.

Increased glycine-amidated hyocholic acid correlates to improved early weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) are post-prandial hormones that play an important role in glucose and lipid homeostasis as well as energy expenditure. Total and glycine-amidated BAs increase after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and correlate to improved metabolic disease. No specific bile acid subtype has been shown conclusively to mediate the weight loss effect. Therefore, the objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the comprehensive changes in meal-stimulated BAs after SG and determine if a specific change in the BA profile correlates to the early weight loss response. METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center who were undergoing a SG for treatment of morbid obesity. Primary and secondary plasma bile acids and their amidated (glycine, G-, or taurine, T-) subtypes were measured at fasting, 30 and 60 min after a liquid meal performed pre-op, and at 6 and 12 weeks post-op. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for the hour meal test for each bile acid subtype. BAs that were significantly increased post-op were correlated to body mass index (BMI) loss. RESULTS: Total BA AUC was significantly increased at 6 (p < 0.01) and 12 weeks post-op (p < 0.01) compared to pre-operative values. The increase in total BA AUC was due to a statistically significant increase in G-BAs. Nine different BA AUC subtypes were significantly increased at both 6 and 12 weeks post-op. Increased total and G-chenodeoxycholic acid AUC was significantly correlated to the 6 week BMI loss (p = 0.03). Increased G-hyocholic acid was significantly correlated to increased weight loss at both 6 (p = 0.05) and 12 weeks (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: SG induced an early and persistent post-prandial surge in multiple bile acid subtypes. Increased G-hyocholic consistently correlated with greater early BMI loss. This study provides evidence for a role of BAs in the surgical weight loss response after SG.

Constructing a competency-based bariatric surgery fellowship training curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric fellowship training after general surgery has historically been time based and competence was determined at completion based on a minimum number of cases during the fellowship. Graduate medical education is moving toward competency-based medical education where learners are evaluated during the course of their training and competence assessment occurs throughout. OBJECTIVES: The Executive Council of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) at the direction of the American Board of Surgery wanted to transition the bariatric surgery fellowship curriculum from its traditional format to a competency-based curriculum using competency-based medical education principles. METHODS: The ASMBS Education and Training Committee established a task force of 9 members to create a new curriculum and all of the necessary evaluation tools to support the curriculum, and initiate a pilot program. RESULTS: A competency-based curriculum consisting of 6 modules with cognitive and technical milestones, and the innovative evaluation tools needed to evaluate the learners, was created. A pilot program consisting of 10 programs and 19 fellows has been undertaken for the 2016-2017 academic year. CONCLUSION: The Education Committee of the ASMBS is leading the charge in curriculum development for competency-based medical education for bariatric fellowship.

Pilot Study on Childhood Sexual Abuse, Diurnal Cortisol Secretion, and Weight Loss in Bariatric Surgery Patients.

Childhood sexual abuse increases risk for adult obesity. A potential contributing factor is altered cortisol secretion. In this pilot study, relationships among childhood sexual abuse, diurnal salivary cortisol secretion, and weight loss were explored in 17 bariatric surgery patients. Measurement points were before surgery (baseline) and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Childhood sexual abuse was measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The results showed moderate but nonsignificant positive correlations between the childhood sexual abuse subscale score and baseline morning cortisol, evening cortisol, and daily mean cortisol. An unexpected positive correlation was noted between the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire total score and weight loss at six months. Diurnal cortisol secretion did not change over time after surgery nor correlate significantly with weight loss at six months.

Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life After Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is typically associated with improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, recent reports are conflicting, and the aim of this study was to determine factors that would be predictive for long-term outcomes after bariatric procedures. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and seventy-three patients at one Midwestern academic medical center who underwent any type of bariatric surgery were sent the SF-36 survey. Three hundred and fifty completed surveys collected over a 3-month period were returned. Multivariate analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The physical and mental component scores were significantly lower than the norm population mean. Age at time of surgery, pre-surgical body mass index (BMI) and duration since surgery were negatively related to HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in HRQoL following bariatric surgery do not appear to be sustained over the long term. Older patients and those with high pre-surgical obesity do not appear to have the same benefits in HRQoL over time.

Short bowel syndrome after laparoscopic procedures.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a potential postoperative complication after intra-abdominal procedures. Whether the laparoscopic approach is as likely to result in SBS or the causative mechanisms are similar to open procedures is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate potential mechanisms of SBS after laparoscopic procedures. The records of 175 adult patients developing SBS as a postoperative complication were reviewed. One hundred forty-seven patients had open procedures and 28 laparoscopic. Colectomy (39%), hysterectomy (11%), and appendectomy (11%) were the most common open procedures. SBS followed laparoscopic gastric bypass (46%) and cholecystectomy (32%) most frequently. The mechanisms of SBS were different: adhesive obstruction (57 vs 22%, P < 0.05) was more common in the open group, whereas volvulus (18 vs 46%, P < 0.05) was more common after laparoscopy. Overall, ischemia (25 vs 32%) was similar but significantly more laparoscopic patients had postoperative hypoperfusion (32 vs 67%, P < 0.05). Eleven of the 13 laparoscopic bariatric procedures had internal hernias and volvulus. Of the nine patients undergoing cholecystectomy, four developed ischemia early postoperatively presumably secondary to pneumoperitoneum. SBS is an increasingly recognized complication of laparoscopic procedures. The mechanisms of intestinal injury differ from open procedures with a higher incidence of volvulus and more frequent ischemia from hypoperfusion.

Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric procedures: review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the morbidly obese population is as high as 45%. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of various bariatric procedures in the improvement of GERD. METHODS: The Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database is a prospective database of patients who undergo bariatric surgery by a participant in the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program. GERD is graded on a 6-point scale, from 0 (no history of GERD) to 5 (prior surgery for GERD). Patients with GERD severe enough to require medications (grades 2, 3, and 4) from June 2007 to December 2009 are identified; the resolution of GERD is noted based on 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of a total of 116,136 patients, 36,938 patients had evidence of GERD preoperatively. After excluding patients undergoing concomitant hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication, there were 22,870 patients with 6-month follow-up. Mean age was 47.6±11.1 years, with an 82% female population. Mean BMI was 46.3±8.0 kg/m(2). Mean preoperative GERD score for patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was 2.80±.56, and mean postoperative score was 1.33±1.41 (P<.0001). Similarly, adjustable gastric banding (AGB, 2.77±.57 to 1.63±1.37, P<.0001) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG, 2.82±.57 to 1.85±1.40, P<.0001) had significant improvement in GERD score. GERD score improvement was best in RYGB patients (56.5%; 7955 of 14,078) followed by AGB (46%; 3773 of 8207) and SG patients (41%; 240 of 585). CONCLUSION: All common bariatric procedures improve GERD. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is superior to adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy in improving GERD. Also, the greater the loss in excess weight, the greater the improvement in GERD score.

Impact of advanced laparoscopy courses on present surgical practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The introduction of new surgical techniques has made training in laparoscopic procedures a necessity for the practicing surgeon, but acquisition of new surgical skills is a formidable task. This study was conducted to assess the impact of advanced laparoscopic workshops on caseload patterns of practicing surgeons. METHODS: After we obtained institutional review board approval, a survey of practicing surgeons who participated in advanced laparoscopic courses was distributed; the results were analyzed for statistical significance. The courses were held at the University of Nebraska Medical Center between January 2002 and December 2010. Questionnaires were mailed, faxed, and e-mailed to surgeons. RESULTS: Of the 109 surgeons who participated in the advanced laparoscopy courses, 79 received surveys and 30 were excluded from the survey because of their affiliation with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. A total of 47 responses (59%) were received from 41 male and 6 female surgeons. The median response time from completion of the course to completion of the survey was 13.2 months (range, 6.8-19.1 months). The mean age of participating surgeons was 39.2 years (range, 29-51 years). The mean time since residency was 8.4 years (range, 0.8-21 years). Eleven surgeons had completed a minimal number of laparoscopic cases in residency (<50), 17 surgeons had completed a moderate number of laparoscopic procedures in residency (50-200), and 21 surgeons had completed a significant number of cases during residency (>200). Of the surgeons who responded, 94% were in private practice. Fifty-seven percent of the participating surgeons who responded reported a change in laparoscopic practice patterns after the courses. Of these surgeons, 24% had a limited residency laparoscopy exposure of <50 cases. Surgeons who were exposed to ≥50 laparoscopic cases during their residency showed a statistically significant increase in the number of laparoscopic procedures performed after their class compared with surgeons who did not receive ≥50 laparoscopic cases in residency (P = .03). In addition, regardless of the procedures learned in a specific class, surgeons with ≥50 laparoscopic cases in residency had a statistically significant increase in their laparoscopic colectomy and laparoscopic hernia procedure caseload (P < .01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in laparoscopic caseload between surgeons who had completed 50 to 200 laparoscopic residency cases and those who had completed greater than 200 laparoscopic residency cases (P = .31). Furthermore, the participant's age (P = .23), practice type (P = .61), and years in practice (P = .22) had no statistical significance with regard to the adoption of laparoscopic procedures after courses taken. This finding is congruent with the findings of other researchers. Future interest in advanced laparoscopy courses was noted in 70% of surgeons and was more pronounced in surgeons with ≥50 cases in residency. CONCLUSION: Advanced laparoscopic workshops provide an efficacious instrument in educating surgeons on minimally invasive surgical techniques. Participating surgeons significantly increased the number of course-specific procedures that they performed but also increased the number of other laparoscopic surgeries, suggesting that a certain proficiency in laparoscopic skills is translated to multiple surgical procedures. Laparoscopy experience of ≥50 cases during residency is a strong predictor of an increase in the number of advanced laparoscopic cases after attending courses.

Impact on perioperative outcomes of concomitant hiatal hernia repair with laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (LHHR) at the time of laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is still debatable. This study aims to assess the safety of concomitant LHHR with LRYGB. METHODS: This study is a multi-center, retrospective analysis of a large administrative database. The University Health System Consortium (UHC) is a group of 112 academic medical centers and 256 of their affiliated hospitals. The UHC database was queried using International Classification of Diseases-9 codes and main outcome measures were analyzed. RESULTS: From October 2006 to January 2010, we found 33,717 patients who underwent LRYGB and did not have a hiatal hernia. In this same time period, 644 patients underwent concomitant LRYGB and LHHR, while 1,589 patients underwent LRYGB without repair of their hiatal hernias. On comparison of patients undergoing LRYGB with simultaneous LHHR with those who underwent LRYGB without a diagnosis of HH, there was no significant difference in mortality, morbidity, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, or cost shown. On comparison of patients with HH who underwent LRYGB and simultaneous LHHR with those who had LRYGB without LHHR, no significant difference with regards to all the outcome measures was also shown. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, concomitant hiatal hernia repair with LRYGB appears to be safe and feasible. These patients did not have any significant differences in morbidity, mortality, LOS, readmission rate, or cost. Randomized controlled studies should further look into the benefit of hiatal hernia repair in regards to reflux symptoms and weight loss for LRYGB patients.

Evolution of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

This article reviews the use of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in the United States today. It comments on the history of the procedure as well as technical aspects of the operation. Short-term and long-term outcomes of the procedure are examined, and the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure in comparison with the laparoscopic gastric bypass are discussed.

Differences in outcomes of laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Although several risk factors affecting weight loss outcomes with bariatric procedures have been identified, the effect of age, gender, race, and illness severity on postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic gastric bypass has not been extensively examined. METHODS: The University HealthSystem Consortium database is an administrative and financial database that provides information on the inpatient stay. A retrospective analysis of patient outcomes was performed using 4-year discharge data from the University HealthSystem Consortium database. RESULTS: A total of 37,765 patients underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass. The women exhibited significantly reduced mortality, morbidity, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (9.87% male versus 6.73% female; P <.001), duration of hospitalization (2.72 ± 4.03 d for men versus 2.59 ± 2.88 d for women; P <.001), and hospital costs ($17,346 ± $15,397 for men versus $14,383 ± $11,170 for women; P <.001). Blacks demonstrated significantly greater 30-day readmission rates, duration of hospitalization, and costs compared with whites. Hispanics had lower ICU admission and hospital costs compared with whites. With increasing age, an increased risk of overall morbidity, ICU admissions, duration of hospitalization, and costs was observed. Compared with the minor severity group, the major/extreme severity group had significantly greater observed mortality, overall morbidity, ICU admissions, duration of hospitalization, and hospital costs. CONCLUSION: The present study identified gender, race, age, and illness severity as risk factors affecting postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Male gender and increasing age were overall associated with an increased risk of complications. Significant racial disparities in the outcome measures were observed with blacks having an increased risk of adverse events. Illness severity was shown to adversely affect the surgical outcomes in laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Primary and revisional laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement in patients with hiatal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists regarding the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable band placement (LAGB) with hiatal hernia (HH) and concomitant hiatal hernia repair (HHR). The present study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of primary LAGB (pLAGB) and revisional LAGB (rLAGB) in patients with HH. METHODS: The University HealthSystem Consortium is an alliance of >100 academic medical centers and nearly 200 affiliate hospitals. The University Health System Consortium database was queried for patients undergoing LAGB with and without HH from 2006 through 2009. RESULTS: The patients undergoing rLAGB had a significantly greater prevalence of HH than patients undergoing pLAGB (18.9% for pLAGB with HH versus 26.3% for rLAGB with HH; P <.001). The mortality (.04% for pLAGB without HH versus 0% for pLAGB with HHR; P >.05), morbidity (3.39% pLAGB without HH versus 2.63% for pLAGB HHR; P >.05), and length of stay (1.33 ± 2.25 days for pLAGB without HH versus 1.17 ± 0.56 days for pLAGB with HHR; P >.05) were comparable in the patients undergoing pLAGB with or without HHR. A trend was seen toward increased morbidity in patients undergoing rLAGB HHR than in those undergoing pLAGB HHR (2.63% for pLAGB HHR versus 13.33% for rLAGB HHR; P = .08). The length of stay (1.17 ± 0.56 days for pLAGB HHR versus 1.73 ± 1.49 days for rLAGB HHR; P <.01) and hospital costs ($12,178 ± 4451 for pLAGB HHR versus $14,616 ± 3538 for rLAGB HHR; P = .04) were increased for the rLAGB HHR group compared with the pLAGB HHR group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study have demonstrated the safety of HHR concomitant with pLAGB. In addition, rLAGB was associated with increased morbidity and cost. These data suggest the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of crural repair of HH simultaneously with pLAGB.

Validation that a 1-year fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery can eliminate the learning curve for laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The concept that advanced surgical training can reduce or eliminate the learning curve for complex procedures makes logical sense but is difficult to verify and has not been tested for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). We sought to determine if minimally invasive/bariatric surgery fellowship graduates (FGs) would demonstrate complication-related outcomes (CRO) equivalent to the outcomes achieved during their training experience under the supervision of experienced bariatric surgeons. METHODS: We compared CRO for the first 100 consecutive LRYGBs performed in practice by five consecutive minimally invasive/bariatric fellows at new institutions (total 500 cases) to CRO for the 611 consecutive LRYGBs performed during their fellowship training experience under the supervision of three experienced bariatric surgeons at the host training institution. RESULTS: The two patient groups did not differ demographically. The 18 types of major and minor complications identified after LRYGB did not differ among the five fellowship graduates. The mentors' CRO were compatible with published benchmark data. As compared with the training institution data, the overall incidence of complications for the combined experience of fellowship graduates did not differ statistically from that of the mentors. The fellowship graduates' early experience included zero non-gastrojejunostomy leaks (0% versus 1.5%) and a low rate of anastomotic stricture (0.8% versus 3.0%), incisional hernia (1% versus 4.4%), bowel obstruction (0% versus 3%), wound infection (0.3% versus 3.1%), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.2% versus 1.6%). The rate of gastrojejunostomy leak (1.8% versus 2.6%) and, most importantly, mortality (0.8% versus 0.7%) did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fellowship graduates achieved high-quality surgical outcomes from the very beginning of their post-fellowship practices, which are comparable to those of their experienced mentors. These data validate the concept that advanced surgical training can eliminate the learning curve often associated with complex minimally invasive procedures, specifically LRYGB.

Does type of mesh used have an impact on outcomes in laparoscopic inguinal hernia?

BACKGROUND: Theoretically, a lighter and softer mesh may decrease nerve entrapment and chronic pain by creating less fibrosis and mesh contracture in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: We performed a telephone survey of patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery between 2001 and 2007. We recorded patient responses for chronic pain, foreign body sensation, recurrence, satisfaction, and return to work, and then studied the effect of type of mesh (polypropylene vs polyester) on these factors. RESULTS: Of 109 consecutive patients surveyed (mean age, 54.5 y), 67 eligible patients underwent 84 transabdominal extraperitoneal procedures and 2 transabdominal preperitoneal procedures. Patients with polypropylene mesh had a 3 times higher rate of chronic pain (P = .05), feeling of lump (P = .02), and foreign body perception (P = .05) than the polyester mesh group. Our overall 1-year recurrence rate was 5.9%. The recurrence rate was 9.3% for the polypropylene group and 2.9% for the polyester group (P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: A lightweight polyester mesh has better long-term outcomes for chronic pain and foreign body sensation compared with a heavy polypropylene mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. We also saw a trend toward higher recurrence in the polypropylene group.