[Sleeve gastrectomy as a revision procedure for failed gastric banding]. / Schlauchmagenbildung als Revisionseingriff nach Magenbandversagen.

The number of bariatric surgical procedures is still increasing in Germany and also worldwide. According to the German quality assurance study of surgical treatment of obesity, the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was the most common bariatric operation with a total of 678 cases between 2004 and 2006 in Germany. In the meantime a high rate of LAGB treatment failures has been reported, so that a high rate of revisional bariatric operations is required. But still the question is open which bariatric procedure can be recommended. The aim of this study is to report the results and follow-up of conversion of failed LAGB to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Between 8/2008 and 4/2012 39 patients (31♀/8♂) with a mean age of 43.7 ± 7.8 (26-61) years and a BMI of 47.1 ± 9.1 (30.4 to 67.4) kg/m² had revisional surgery for converting a failed LAGB to LSG. The indications for conversion were dysphagia (38.5 %), weight regain (33.3 %), band slippage (17.9 %), band erosion (5.1 %), band defect (2.6 %) as well as band sepsis (2.6 %). 19 procedures were performed as a one-stage operation and 20 procedures as a two-stage operation. The average operating time was 129 ± 49 (50-312) min. The complication rate was 7.7 %. There were one proximal leak, one gastric sleeve stenosis and one pronounced wound infection. The percent excess weight loss was 23 %, 39 %, 51 %, 52 %, 60 % and 46 % after 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months follow- up, respectively. Converting a failed LAGB into a LSG is a revision procedure with low complication rate and promising results, which can be performed as a two-stage as well as a one-stage procedure.

[New data on quality assurance in bariatric surgery in Germany]. / Aktuelle Daten der Qualitätssicherungsstudie für operative Therapie der Adipositas in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Since January 1st 2005, the situation of bariatric surgery has been examined in Germany. All data are registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgery at the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg. METHODS: The voluntary data registration occurs in an internet online data bank. All primary bariatric procedures as well as re- and redo-procedures are documented. Follow-up data were collected once a year. Participation in the quality assurance study is obligatory for certificated centres. RESULTS: Since 2005 13,879 bariatric procedures have been performed at 83 hospitals. The number of primary procedures has increased from 596 in 2005 to 11,835 in 2010. Revisional surgery has been performed in 1,438 patients since 2005. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the major procedure with 1,564 operations in 2010. The mean BMI was 48.8 kg/m². The incidence of comorbidities was 84.8%. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has become more accepted in Germany. Beside the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy is the most frequently performed operation. BMI and incidence of comorbidities are still high in comparison with literature values. Due to the lack of evidence, more randomised studies are necessary to standardise operative techniques and evaluate patient selection criteria. Quality assurance studies support a detailed analysis of these parameters.

Neoquadruple induction with antithymocyte globulin/azathioprine/cyclosporine/prednisolone in simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant recipients: 8.5-year results.

Ten years ago therapy with antithymocyte globulin or OKT3, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and prednisolone was the most common induction treatment for simultaneous pancreas/ kidney (SPK) recipients. Although immunosuppression was started after surgery, there was a high incidence of acute rejection episodes. In 1995, we modified the application of antithymocyte globulin and prednisolone by starting prior to reperfusion. Between 1995 and 1996, 30 patients underwent a first SPK. Prior to reperfusion, antithymocyte globulin (4-6 mg/kg body weight) and 250 mg prednisolone were administered. Intraoperatively, another 250 mg prednisolone were administered as well as intravenous azathroprine 3 mg/kg. After surgery up to 10 doses of antithymocyte globulin were administered and cyclosporine trough levels targeted to 200 to 250 ng/mL. Prednisolone was reduced gradually. After a median period of 8.5 years (range: 7.8-9.5 years) patient, pancreas, and kidney graft survival were 93.3%, 70%, and 76.7%, respectively. Sixteen acute rejection episodes were diagnosed in 11 patients (36.7%), who were treated with prednisolone bolus (n = 4), prednisolone with OKT3 (n = 8), prednisolone with antithymocyte globulin (n = 1), cyclosporine to tacrolimus conversion (n = 2), or plasmapheresis (n = 1). Two recipients died after SPK due to severe infection or carcinoma with functioning grafts. Seven further pancreas grafts were lost. Five kidney losses were observed besides the two recipients who died with functioning grafts. While previous protocols yielded a rejection incidence after SPK between 50% and 80%, we observed 60% of patients with no rejection episode during an 8.5-year median follow-up.

Single-shot antithymocyte globuline and daclizumab induction in simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant recipient: three-year results.

Since 1996, preoperative single-shot dose antithymocyte globuline (ATG) with prednisolone (PRD), mycophenolate mofetile (MMF), and tacrolimus (TAC) is the favorite induction therapy in our center. In a series of 25 first simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant (SPK) recipients, 5 doses of daclizumab were administered in addition to standard induction. Here we present our 3-year experience. Immunosuppression was started prior to reperfusion consisting of daclizumab (1 mg/kg body weight [bw]), ATG (4-6 mg/kg bw) and 250 mg PRD. After surgery, PRD was reduced gradually, TAC trough levels were between 8-15 ng/mL, MMF was given twice daily (2-3 g/d) as well as 4 further doses dacilzumab every 14 days. After 3 years, patient, pancreas, and kidney graft survival rates are 100%, 84%, and 92%, respectively. Four pancreas grafts were lost (chronic allograft dysfunction, n = 2; recurrent abdominal infection, n = 1; acute rejection [AR] without treatment, n = 1). Both patients suffering from severe infection and untreated AR lost their kidney graft too. During the first 3 months after SPK, 3 AR episodes were observed in 2 patients (8%). After a 3-year period, 8 AR episodes occurred in 7 recipients (28%). AR was treated using PRD (n = 5) or ATG (n = 1). In 1 case, immunosuppression was switched from TAC to sirolimus successfully. Overall, 8 AR episodes occurred in 7 patients (28%) during the first 3 years after SPK. One severe infection led to graft lost 13 months after SPK. In this series, the combination of ATG and daclizumab prevented AR episodes, successfully providing considerable 3-year survival rates.

Simultaneous pancreas-/kidney transplantation--the Bochum experience.

Since the introduction of the bladder drainage technique, the number of pancreas transplants performed has now reached 1,000 per year worldwide. Most of these transplants have been performed in the United States. In contrast, the number of pancreas transplants performed in the Eurotransplant community has remained at a low level for several years. The results of a consecutive series of 40 simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplantations (SPK) performed between June 1994 and July 1996 demonstrate that high 1-year graft function rates of 87.1% for pancreas and 94.8% for kidney grafts can be achieved. Therefore, SPK can be recommended as a standard procedure for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease in Germany, too.

Combined pancreas and kidney transplantation in a lean type 2 diabetic patient. Effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreas transplantation is an established method of treating Type 1 diabetes. It was our aim to test the consequences of pancreas transplantation in a Type 2 diabetic patient by determining insulin secretion and sensitivity before and after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A female patient with Type 2 diabetes and end-stage nephropathy was treated with combined pancreas and kidney transplantation. Before surgery and at 4 weeks, 6 months and 2 years afterwards, insulin sensitivity was measured using hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps and insulin secretion was quantified after oral glucose or intravenous glucagon challenges. RESULTS: The patient was insulin resistant before surgery (glucose infusion 4.6 mg. kg (-1). min (-1), normal range 6.4 +/- 0.5 mg.kg( -1). min (-1). Insulin sensitivity declined further after transplantation (1.4 and 3.0 mg. kg -1. min -1 after 4 weeks and 6 months, respectively), but improved to 5.4 mg. kg (-1). min (-1) after 2 years. Insulin secretion was greatly impaired before surgery. Insulin and C-peptide responses after oral glucose and intravenous glucagon increased into the normal range from 6 months after surgery onwards and oral glucose tolerance remained non-diabetic (IGT). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance is first aggravated after pancreas transplantation, probably due to immunosuppressive treatment including glucocorticoids, but improves on the long term. The initially impaired insulin secretion from the transplant may also be explained by the action of glucocorticoids or by transient and reversible organ damage.

Preserved incretin effect in type 1 diabetic patients with end-stage nephropathy treated by combined heterotopic pancreas and kidney transplantation.

Insulin secretion is stimulated better by oral than by intravenous glucose (incretin effect). The contribution of the autonomic nervous system to the incretin effect after oral glucose in humans is unclear. We therefore examined nine type 1 diabetic (insulin-dependent) patients with end-stage nephropathy, studied after combined heterotopic pancreas and kidney transplantation, and 7 non-diabetic kidney recipients (matched for creatinine clearance and immunosuppressive medication). The release of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) immunoreactivity and B cell secretory responses (IR insulin and C-peptide) to oral (50 g) and "isoglycaemic" intravenous glucose (identical glycaemic profile) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The difference in B cell responses between the two tests represents the contribution of the enteroinsular axis to the response after oral glucose (incretin effect). Insulin responses after the oral glucose challenge were similar in the two patient groups despite systemic venous drainage of the pancreas graft in the pancreas-kidney-transplanted group. In both groups GIP and GLP-1 increased after oral but not after intravenous glucose, and B cell secretory responses were significantly smaller (by 55.2 +/- 7.7% and 46.5 +/- 12.5%, respectively) with "isoglycaemic" intravenous glucose infusions. The lack of reduction in the incretin effect in pancreas-kidney-transplanted patients, whose functioning pancreas is denervated, indicates a lesser role for the nervous system and a more important contribution of circulating incretin hormones in mediating the enteroinsular axis in man.

[Kidney donation by the elderly--an emergency solution?]. / Nierenspende im Alter--eine Notlösung?

In 1994 the number of kidney donors once again decreased in Germany. On the other hand, more and more old people are being considered for renal transplantation; thus the shortage of transplants is becoming more severe. The kidneys of elderly donors might improve this situation. The results available are inconsistent. There is no doubt that kidney function declines with age, but the individual aging process depends mainly on concomitant disease, especially arterial hypertension. Transplantation of kidney from an elderly person requires appropriate selection of donors as well as good perioperative management. Doctors in medical intensive care units should contact transplant centres more often to evaluate potential elderly kidney donors. More open-minded assessment of certain situations is necessary in conservative medical disciplines.

[Transplantation of the kidney of an 80-year-old donor after complex revascularization with good transplant function]. / Transplantation der Niere einer 80 jährigen Spenderin nach komplexer Revascularisierung mit guter Transplantatfunktion.

There is no age limit in kidney donation. Kidney function has to be evaluated on an individual basis even in elderly donors. We report the transplantation of the kidney of an 80-year-old donor with good organ function postoperatively. Complex revascularization had to be performed because of arteriosclerosis in two of three renal arteries.

[The management of exocrine pancreatic secretion--a central problem of allogeneic pancreas transplantation]. / Management der exokrinen Pankreassekretion--ein zentrales Problem der allogenen Pankreastransplantation.

In a consecutive series of 47 pancreatic transplantations, the duct occlusion technique and the bladder drainage technique are evaluated. Major problems, when using the duct occlusion technique are pancreatic fistulae with secondary infections and bleedings. Early postoperative graft thrombosis remains a crucial problem. Finally, graft rejection can not be diagnosed in time when using the duct occlusion technique. In contrast, the bladder drainage technique guarantees an absolutely safe management of the exocrine pancreas secretion. The risk of early postoperative graft thromboses reaches nearly zero. In addition, by monitoring urinary amylase and thereby the function of the exocrine pancreas, rejection episodes can be diagnosed very early. Early postoperative graft pancreatitis of the bladder drained pancreatic allografts remains a significant problem. In addition due to excessive bicarbonate loss via the urine oral bicarbonate substitution is necessary. A high incidence of urinary tract infections as well as unspecific irritations of the urinary tract are further drawbacks of the bladder drainage technique. They can be managed, however, relatively easily. Since using the bladder drainage technique, 1-year-graft-function rate of the pancreatic allografts increased by more than 40% and reaches now 88%. The new operative technique represents the best surgical procedure for control of the exocrine secretion of pancreatic allografts at the moment. Simultaneous pancreas-/kidney transplantation in the technique described can therefore be recommended a selected group of type-I diabetics with end-stage renal disease as the therapy of choice.

[Combined pancreas/kidney transplantation as standard procedure in therapy of type I diabetic patients in renal failure]. / Die kombinierte Pankreas-/Nierentransplantation als Standardverfahren in der Therapie niereninsuffizienter Typ-I-Diabetiker.

Sinde the introduction of the bladder drainage technique, the number of pancreas transplants performed has now reached 1000/year worldwide. Most of these transplants have been performed in the United States. In contrast, the number of pancreas transplants performed in the Eurotransplant community has remained at a low level for several years. The results of a consecutive series of 20 simultaneous pancreas/kidney grafts (SPK) performed between June 1994 and October 1995 demonstrate that high graft function rates of 83.5% for pancreas and kidney grafts can be achieved. Therefore SPK can be recommended as a standard procedure for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease in Germany, too.

[Standardized combined pancreas and liver explantation]. / Standardisierung der kombinierten Pankreas- und Leberexplantation.

Maximum use of organs from a single donor is mandatory as a result of the current organ shortage. In combined liver and pancreas allograft retrieval, it is vital that one remember the variability in the anatomy of vessels. Based on our experience, we describe a new technique of dividing the celiac trunk horizontally with subsequent arterial reconstruction, depending on the anatomical situation. Vascular division of the grafts can be performed either in situ or in an ex situ fashion in cases where cardiovascular function has deteriorated.

[Pancreas transplantation with bladder and intestinal drainage technique with systemic-venous and initial experiences with portal venous drainage. Which technique can be recommended today?]. / Pankreastransplantation in der Blasen- und Darmdrainagetechnik mit systemischvenöser und ersten Erfahrungen mit der portalvenösen Ableitung. Welche Technik kann heute empfohlen werden?

The experience worldwide with pancreas transplantation includes more than 9000 cases. In the most popular patient group (simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, SPK) the graft-function rate at 1 year now reaches more than 80%. More than 90% of all pancreas transplants were performed using the bladder-drainage technique (BD) with systemic venous anastomosis. Late problems with the BD require enteric conversion in 10-20% in the long term. In the present study we report the results of 40 SPK using the BD (n = 20) and enteric drainage (ED) techniques (n = 20). After 3 months, the patients pancreas and kidney survival rates in the BD group were 100, 95 and 100% and in the ED group 100, 100 and 100%, respectively. No anastomosis leakage occurred in either group. In two cases of the ED group the pancreas grafts were drained portal venously via the superior mesenteric vein without surgical complications. With growing experience, excellent SPK results can be reached with both the BD and ED techniques.

The oncological approach to pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) in pancreas malignancies.

There has been a considerable debate about whether pylorus preservation significantly detracts from the radicality in a palliative procedure where a conventional Whipple operation would have been curative. We know now, that the extending radicality of the Whipple operation does not improve the long-term survival rates. Our results of 127 PPPD and 54 Whipple procedures in pancreas malignancies from 1985 to 1996 showed the nutritional benefits of the PPPD group as compared to the standard Whipple group. 84% (99/121) vs. 24% (13/50) were able to gain postoperatively. The long-term survival rates of both groups and the results in the literature are similar.