Prediction Model for Chronological Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery in Korean Patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a predictive model for monitoring chronological weight loss during the early postoperative period following bariatric surgery in Korean patients with morbid obesity. Materials and Methods: The baseline characteristics and postoperative weight loss outcomes were collected for up to 24 months after surgery in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The factors influencing weight loss outcomes were analyzed, and longitudinal percentile charts were plotted using quantile regression models adjusted for the identified independent factors. Results: The analysis included 491 and 274 patients who underwent SG and RYGB, respectively, of whom 225 (29.4%) were men. A positive association was found between the maximum percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) and female sex, body mass index (BMI) ≥40, and age <40 years. Among patients who reached nadir BMI or had at least 12 months of follow-up data (n=304), 7.6% exhibited inadequate weight loss (TWL <20%). The predictors of insufficient weight loss were older age (>40 years), male sex, and psychological problems. Centile charts were generated for the entire cohort, incorporating age, sex, and the type of procedure as covariates. Conclusion: The percentile charts proposed in the present study can assist surgeons and healthcare providers in gauging patients' progress toward their weight loss goals and determining the timing of adjunctive intervention in poor responders during early postoperative follow-up.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy plus Duodenojejunal Bypass: Learning Curve Analysis and Technical Feasibility of Duodenojejunostomy Using Linear Stapler.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy plus duodenojejunal bypass (LSG-DJB) has emerged as an alternative bypass surgery. Despite its potential benefits, the technical challenges of the procedure have limited its adoption. This study aims to present the learning curve for LSG-DJB and explore potentially beneficial technical modifications for the standardization of the procedure. METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed 100 patients who underwent LSG-DJB as a primary procedure from July 2014 through September 2021. Baseline characteristics, weight loss outcomes, remission of metabolic diseases, and perioperative complications were assessed. The operative time was analyzed across both time trends and anastomosis type subgroups. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up after LSG-DJB, the mean %total weight loss and the mean BMI loss were 25.38 ± 8.58% and 9.38 ± 4.25 kg/m2, respectively. Remission rates for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were 72.0% (67/93), 84.1% (37/44), and 70.3% (52/74), respectively. In the analysis of operative time, the learning curve exhibited a plateau after 25 cases. The mean operative time was 136.00 ± 21.64 min in the stapled anastomosis group, and 150.62 ± 25.42 min in the hand-sewn anastomosis group. CONCLUSION: The learning curve for LSG-DJB plateaued after 25 cases. In the LSG-DJB procedure, stapled duodenojejunal anastomosis is feasible and achieves similar outcomes to the hand-sewn method.

Increasing Accessibility to Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study Based on In-Depth Interviews of Korean Adult Patients With Severe Obesity.

Purpose: After the initiation of national health insurance coverage in 2019, the number of metabolic bariatric surgeries (MBSs) in Korea has been increasing. Despite evidence regarding its efficacy, many candidates are hesitant regarding surgery for the treatment of severe obesity. This study interviewed patients who received MBS to further understand potential barriers and increase the accessibility of MBS. Materials and Methods: Eight interviewees who received MBS after 2019 participated. The interviews began in mid-July 2022 over approximately a month. Each one-on-one interview lasted a few hours and was done in person. The interviews were transcribed, and the results were analyzed based on grounded theory. Results: This study focused on the quality of life before and after MBS. On a scale of 1 to 10, all patients had a high degree of satisfaction in quality of life after surgery (average score: 8.9, sleeve gastrectomy: 8.8, and bypass surgery: 9). Scores did not differ depending on procedure type, but factors that caused satisfaction and dissatisfaction were distributed differently between the 2 procedures. Conclusion: Quality of life is significantly improved for patients undergoing MBS despite discomfort after surgery. Further promotion of the understanding of obesity as a chronic progressive disease is needed for both surgical candidates and the public to increase acceptance of MBS.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using the LiVac liver retractor system: technical report.

Exposure of the angle of His (AOH) with liver retraction is one of the key processes during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). A new internal liver retractor, the LiVac (LiVac, Pty Ltd.) has recently been introduced. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the LiVac in LSG. We applied the LiVac in 20 patients who received LSG. The feasibility was assessed by exposure of the AOH, operation time, complications, and changes of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. In all 20 patients, exposure of the AOH was successful. The mean operation time was 88 minutes. The changes in preoperative and postoperative aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were 18.6 and 9.1 U/L, respectively. There were no related morbidities. In LSG, exposure of the AOH using the LiVac was technically feasible.

Endoscopic Management of Staple Line Leak after Bariatric Surgery: Surgeon's Perspective.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a standalone primary procedure as a bariatric metabolic surgery since the early 2000s. The overall complication rate of LSG is reported to range from 2% to 15%. Staple line leakage (SLL) remains a major adverse event and occurs in approximately 1-6% of patients. Choosing the optimal treatment modality is a complex process. Clinicians must understand that nutritional support and drainage of fluid collection are essential for initial management. Conservative endoscopic management and sufficient drainage can resolve approximately 70% of SLLs. Endoscopic management of bariatric complications has been rapidly evolving in recent years and can be considered in all patients who are hemodynamically stable. We will review the available endoscopic management techniques, including stent placement (self-expanding stents and bariatric-specific stents), clipping, tissue sealant application, and internal drainage (double-pigtail stents [DPS] placement, endoscopic vacuum therapy, and septotomy). Stent placement remains the mainstream treatment for SLLs. However, healing with stents requires multiple sessions/stents and a long course of recovery. Endoscopic internal drainage is gaining popularity and has the potential to be a superior method. The importance of early intervention and combined endoscopic methods should be recognized.

Diabetes Remission Rate after Sleeve Gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass; Utilizing Individualized Metabolic Surgery Score for Korean Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of individualized metabolic surgery score for Korean patients in determining bariatric surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n=19) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n=116) at our institute with a 1-year follow up were analyzed for the predictive power of diabetes remission using the individualized metabolic surgery scoring system. Results: At the postoperative follow-up of 1 year, the remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1C<6.5%, off medications) was achieved in 88 (65.2%) patients. The remission rates showed no significant differences between patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (63.2% versus 65.5%; P=0.84), regardless of the severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the remission rate according to the bariatric surgery procedures (P>0.99 in mild, P=0.11 in moderate, P>0.99 in severe IMS score), remission rates were higher in moderate severity patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass than in those who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (69.7% versus 37.5%). Conclusion: The remission rates after bariatric surgery procedures were similar to that of the previously reported study. Despite the limitations of our data, the individualized metabolic surgery score can be used as a complement to other scoring systems in Korean patients.

Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Morbid Obesity with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; Case Series, Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report our experiences of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in obese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess its metabolic outcomes through a review of the literature and a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of all patients who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2008 and February 2019 at a single institution. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase, and a meta-analysis for each direct comparison between pre- and postoperative groups was performed using the random effects DerSimonian-Laird method. Results: We identified three obese patients with T1DM who underwent SG. The baseline body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, and total daily insulin dose was 40.8 (37-47.4) kg/m2, 7.1% (6%-7.7%), and 92.3 (54-113) units, respectively. After surgery, the BMI and total daily insulin dose reduced to 32.2 (30.2-37.6) kg/m2 and 22.3 (12-40) units, respectively. However, the HbA1c increased to 7.8% (5.4%-10.8%). In the meta-analysis, the weighted mean reduction in BMI, HbA1c, and total daily insulin dose were 10.69 kg/m2 (95% CI 7.01-14.37, P<0.00001, I2=0%), 0.3% (95% CI -0.10-0.71, P=0.1447, I2=0%), and 58.52 units (95% CI 15.96-101.08, P=0.07, I2=0%), respectively. Conclusion: SG showed excellent weight-reducing effects during a short follow-up period in obese patients with T1DM and improved the glycemic control by reducing insulin requirement.

Initial Experience with Laparoscopic Loop Duodenojejunal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy in Korean Obese Patients.

Laparoscopic loop duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (LDJB-SG) has theoretical advantages compared with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We performed 7 cases of LDJB-SG from May 2019 to September 2019. All procedures were successfully completed by laparoscopy. The mean operative time was 282.9 (210~335) minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 82.9 (20~150) ml. There was no intraoperative complications, however, there was 1 case of postoperative anastomotic leakage. The average length of postoperative hospital stay was 5.3 (3~12) days. The mean body weight at baseline was 117.1 (88.4~151.1) kg, and was decreased to 90.4 (69.4~130.9) kg at postoperative 3 month. The mean of HbA1c at baseline was 7.6 (5.5~9.4) %, and was decreased to 5.3 (4.8~5.6) % at postoperative 3 month. Although LDJB-SG is a technically demanding procedure, it can be a feasible and safe procedure if the learning curve can be overcame.

Oncologic Outcomes after Laparoscopic and Open Distal Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the oncologic and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) and open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to November 2016, 384 patients underwent distal gastrectomy for AGC. Data on short- and long-term outcomes were prospectively collected and reviewed. Propensity score matching was applied at a ratio of 1:1 to compare the LDG and ODG groups. RESULTS: The operative times were longer for the LDG group than for the ODG group. However, the time to resumption of diet and the length of hospital stay were shorter in the LDG group than in the ODG group (4.7 vs. 5.6 days, P=0.049 and 9.6 vs. 11.5 days, P=0.035, respectively). The extent of lymph node dissection in the LDG group was more limited than in the ODG group (P=0.002), although there was no difference in the number of retrieved lymph nodes between the 2 groups. The 3-year overall survival rates were 98% and 86.9% (P=0.018), and the 3-year recurrence-free survival rates were 86.3% and 75.3% (P=0.259), respectively, in the LDG and ODG groups. CONCLUSIONS: LDG is safe and feasible for AGC, with earlier recovery after surgery and long-term oncologic outcomes comparable to those of ODG.

Comparison of Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy and Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy by Location of Mini-Laparotomy Site.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and determine the degree of postoperative pain associated with the location of mini-laparotomy sites in gastric cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) or totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG). Methods: Between November 2011 and December 2016, 153 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into LADG with epigastric incision, TLDG with umbilical incision (TLDG_U), and TLDG with Pfannenstiel incision (TLDG_P) groups according to the location of incision for anastomosis and specimen removal. There were 37 cases in the LADG group, 85 in the TLDG_U group, and 31 in the TLDG_P group. The clinical characteristics, numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, and postoperative analgesic usage for 7 days of the three groups were compared. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in clinical characteristics including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), TNM staging, and complications among the three groups. There was no significant difference in the amount of total analgesics received; however, the TLDG_P group received more analgesics (5.26±5.053, p=0.412) during the first 7 postoperative days. The TLDG_P group showed higher NRS scores on postoperative days 0, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (p=0.04, 0.001, 0.003, 0.006, and 0.002 respectively). Conclusion: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy can be performed through various incision sites for increasing the safety of mini-laparotomy. However, a Pfannenstiel incision was shown to be more painful than other incisions.