Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeon Criteria-An International Experts' Consensus.

PURPOSE: With the global epidemic of obesity, the importance of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is greater than ever before. Performing these surgeries requires academic training and the completion of a dedicated fellowship training program. This study aimed to develop guidelines based on expert consensus using a modified Delphi method to create the criteria for metabolic and bariatric surgeons that must be mastered before obtaining privileges to perform MBS. METHODS: Eighty-nine recognized MBS surgeons from 42 countries participated in the Modified Delphi consensus to vote on 30 statements in two rounds. An agreement/disagreement among ≥ 70.0% of the experts was regarded to indicate a consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on 29 out of 30 statements. Most experts agreed that before getting privileges to perform MBS, surgeons must hold a general surgery degree and complete or have completed a dedicated fellowship training program. The experts agreed that the learning curves for the various operative procedures are approximately 25-50 operations for the LSG, 50-75 for the OAGB, and 75-100 for the RYGB. 93.1% of experts agreed that MBS surgeons should diligently record patients' data in their National or Global database. CONCLUSION: MBS surgeons should have a degree in general surgery and have been enrolled in a dedicated fellowship training program with a structured curriculum. The learning curve of MBS procedures is procedure dependent. MBS surgeons must demonstrate proficiency in managing postoperative complications, collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, commit to a minimum 2-year patient follow-up, and actively engage in national and international MBS societies.

Patient Selection in One Anastomosis/Mini Gastric Bypass-an Expert Modified Delphi Consensus.

PURPOSE: One anastomosis/mini gastric bypass (OAGB/MGB) is up to date the third most performed obesity and metabolic procedure worldwide, which recently has been endorsed by ASMBS. The main criticisms are the risk of bile reflux, esophageal cancer, and malnutrition. Although IFSO has recognized this procedure, guidance is needed regarding selection criteria. To give clinicians a daily support in performing the right patient selection in OAGB/MGB, the aim of this paper is to generate clinical guidelines based on an expert modified Delphi consensus. METHODS: A committee of 57 recognized bariatric surgeons from 24 countries created 69 statements. Modified Delphi consensus voting was performed in two rounds. An agreement/disagreement among ≥ 70.0% of the experts was considered to indicate a consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was achieved for 56 statements. Remarkably, ≥ 90.0% of the experts felt that OAGB/MGB is an acceptable and suitable option "in patients with Body mass index (BMI) > 70, BMI > 60, BMI > 50 kg/m2 as a one-stage procedure," "as the second stage of a two-stage bariatric surgery after Sleeve Gastrectomy for BMI > 50 kg/m2 (instead of BPD/DS)," and "in patients with weight regain after restrictive procedures. No consensus was reached on the statement that OAGB/MGB is a suitable option in case of resistant Helicobacter pylori. This is likely as there is a concern that this procedure is associated with reflux and its related long-term complications including risk of cancer in the esophagus or stomach. Also no consensus reached on OAGB/MGB as conversional surgery in patients with GERD after restrictive procedures. Consensus for disagreement was predominantly achieved "in case of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach" (74.55%), "in patients with severe Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)(C,D)" (75.44%), "in patients with Barrett's metaplasia" (89.29%), and "in documented insulinoma" (89.47%). CONCLUSION: Patient selection in OAGB/MGB is still a point of discussion among experts. There was consensus that OAGB/MGB is a suitable option in elderly patients, patients with low BMI (30-35 kg/m2) with associated metabolic problems, and patients with BMIs more than 50 kg/m2 as one-stage procedure. OAGB/MGB can also be a safe procedure in vegetarian and vegan patients. Although OAGB/MGB can be a suitable procedure in patients with large hiatal hernia with concurrent hiatal hernia, it should not be offered to patients with grade C or D esophagitis or Barrett's metaplasia.

Religious Fasting of Muslim Patients After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Modified Delphi Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith. Despite the positive effects of fasting on health, there are no guidelines or clear recommendations regarding fasting after metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). The current study reports the result of a modified Delphi consensus among expert metabolic/bariatric surgeons with experience in managing patients who fast after MBS. METHODS: A committee of 61 well-known metabolic and bariatric surgeons from 24 countries was created to participate in the Delphi consensus. The committee voted on 45 statements regarding recommendations and controversies around fasting after MBS. An agreement/disagreement ≥ of 70.0% was regarded as consensus. RESULTS: The experts reached a consensus on 40 out of 45 statements after two rounds of voting. One hundred percent of the experts believed that fasting needs special nutritional support in patients who underwent MBS. The decision regarding fasting must be coordinated among the surgeon, the nutritionist and the patient. At any time after MBS, 96.7% advised stopping fasting in the presence of persistent symptoms of intolerance. Seventy percent of the experts recommended delaying fasting after MBS for 6 to 12 months after combined and malabsorptive procedures according to the patient's situation and surgeon's experience, and 90.1% felt that proton pump inhibitors should be continued in patients who start fasting less than 6 months after MBS. There was consensus that fasting may help in weight loss, improvement/remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus among 88.5%, 90.2%, 88.5%, 85.2% and 85.2% of experts, respectively. CONCLUSION: Experts voted and reached a consensus on 40 statements covering various aspects of fasting after MBS.

Analysis of Emergency Department Visits and Unplanned Readmission After Bariatric Surgery: An Experience From a Tertiary Referral Center.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of morbid obesity. As the number of bariatric procedures performed has increased, visits to the emergency department (ED) and readmissions have subsequently increased. The present study aimed to assess the rates and indications for of ED visits and readmission after bariatric surgery and to identify the predictors of hospital readmission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2018 to April 2020. The percentage of ED visits and unplanned readmission was estimated and the indications and management of each were analyzed. The association of age, sex, body mass index, and type of procedure with readmission was assessed. RESULTS: Of 582 patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the study period, 204 (35%) required ED visits, and 42 (7.2%) required readmission. The mean age of patients was 33 years, and the mean body mass index was 43 kg/m2. The most common indication for ED visits was abdominal pain (41.2%). In all, 64.8% of ED visits and 43% of readmissions were unrelated to bariatric surgery complications. A total of 94.1% of patients who required ED visits and 71.4% of readmitted patients were managed conservatively. The most common procedure followed by readmission was laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (50%) then one-anastomosis gastric bypass (21.4%). Age, sex, body mass index, and procedure type were not significantly associated with higher readmission. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of ED visits and readmission in our cohort were 35% and 7.2%, respectively. Most cases of ED visits were not related to adverse effects of bariatric surgery and the majority of which were managed conservatively.

Systematic review of the outcome of single-anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass in treatment of morbid obesity with proportion meta-analysis of improvement in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Single-anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass has emerged as a promising bariatric and metabolic procedure. We aimed to review the current literature on the outcome of SASI procedure in terms of weight loss, improvement in comorbidities, and complications. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search, querying electronic databases and Google Scholar, for studies that reported the outcome of the SASI bypass. The main outcome measures of the review were change in body mass index (BMI), % of excess weight loss (%EWL), improvement in comorbidities, and complications after SASI bypass. RESULTS: This systematic review comprised ten studies including 941 patients with a median BMI of 45.6 kg/m2. The median %EWL at 6 months was 59.4% and significantly (p = 0.04) increased to 90.1% at 12 months. The weighted mean rate of improvement in diabetes mellitus was 99.1 (95%CI: 98.2-99.9, I2 = 0). The crude percentages of patients with improvement in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were 51%, 76.6%, and 92%, respectively. The median operation time was 111.3, ranging between 75 and 148.4 min. Complications were recorded in 116 (12.3%) patients. Longer common limb was associated with less %EWL at 6 months and less complications whereas larger anastomosis size was associated with higher weight loss and greater improvement in hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: SASI bypass was associated with good short-term outcomes in regard to weight loss and improvement in comorbidities, namely diabetes mellitus with an acceptably low complication rate.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with Long Biliopancreatic Limb Compared to Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass in Treatment of Morbid Obesity.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of morbid obesity. Bariatric procedures employ different mechanisms of action to induce weight loss. The present study aimed to compare single-anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass and roux-en-Y gastric bypass RYGB with long biliopancreatic limb (BPL) in terms of weight loss, remission of comorbidities, complications, and nutritional status. METHODS: This was a single-center cohort study on patients with morbid obesity who underwent RYGB with long BPL of 150 cm or SASI bypass. The main outcome measures were weight loss and improvement in comorbidities at 12 months, nutritional status, and complications. RESULTS: The present study included 92 patients (59.8% females) of a mean age of 38.4 years and mean BMI of 42 kg/m2. RYGB and SASI bypass were followed by a significant decrease in body mass index at 12 months and were comparable in terms of excess and total weight loss. Improvement in comorbidities after the two procedures was similar. The serum albumin levels showed a significant decline after RYGB, but not after SASI bypass. The postoperative serum iron levels were higher after SASI bypass than after RYGB. There was no significant difference in regard to complication rates (13% vs 4.3%, p = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: RYGB with long BPL and SASI bypass achieved satisfactory weight loss and improvement in comorbidities that were comparable among the two groups. Long BPL RYGB was followed by a significant decrease in serum albumin and iron levels at one year, which was not observed after SASI bypass.

Impact of Baseline BMI and Adherence to Follow-Up on the Outcome of Sleeve Gastrectomy in Treatment of Adolescent Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity is considered a public health challenge. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may be considered a safe option for treatment of adolescent obesity. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of SG in treatment of severe obesity in adolescents, with emphasis on the impact of baseline body mass index (BMI) and adherence to follow-up. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study on adolescents with severe obesity who underwent SG at a tertiary referral bariatric center. The main outcome measures were weight loss, improvement in comorbidities at 12 months postoperatively, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 72 adolescent patients (47 female) of a mean BMI of 47.9 ± 7.1 kg/푚2 were enrolled in the study. The mean %TWL was 34.94 ± 9.35 and the mean %EWL was 73.47 ± 22.12. Complete remission was recorded in all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, and sleep apnea, in 80% of patients with hypertension, and 57% of patients with hypothyroidism. The long-term complication rate after SG was 18%. Patients with higher preoperative BMI had significantly (p = 0.018) lower %EWL at 1 year. CONCLUSION: SG is an effective and safe surgical procedure for adolescents with severe obesity. It was associated with a significant weight loss, high comorbidity remission rates, and no mortality or serious complications. Lower baseline BMI and better adherence to follow-up were associated with better outcome of SG.

Sleeve Gastrectomy, One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB), and Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass in Treatment of Morbid Obesity: a Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. The present study aimed to assess three bariatric procedures with different mechanisms of actions; sleeve gastrectomy (SG), one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), and single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass, in terms of efficacy and safety. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study on patients with morbid obesity who underwent SG, OAGB, or SASI bypass. The main outcome measures were weight loss and improvement in comorbidities at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients (186 female) with mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) of 43.6 ± 9.9 kg/m2were included to the study. Significant weight loss was recorded at 6 and 12 months after the three procedures. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, body weight and BMI were significantly lower after SASI bypass than after SG and OAGB. The %total weight loss (%TWL) and %excess weight loss (%EWL) were significantly higher after SASI bypass than after SG and OAGB. SASI bypass was associated with a significantly higher rate of improvement in DM than SG and OAGB (97.7% vs 71.4% vs 86.7%; p = 0.04) whereas improvement in other comorbidities was similar. The short-term complication rate was similar between the three procedures, yet SASI bypass was followed by higher long-term complication rate. CONCLUSION: Based on retrospective review of data, SASI bypass was associated with more reduction in body weight and BMI, higher %TWL and %EWL, better improvement in T2DM, and more long-term nutritional complications than SG and OAGB.

Single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy: a case-matched multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to compare the outcome of single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in regards weight loss, improvement in comorbidities at 12 months of follow-up, and postoperative complications. METHODS: This was a case-matched, multicenter analysis of the outcome of patients who underwent SG or SASI bypass. Patients who underwent SASI bypass were matched with an equal number of patients who underwent SG in terms of age, sex, BMI, and comorbidities. The main outcome measures were excess weight loss (EWL) at 6 and 12 months after surgery, improvement in medical comorbidities, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients (97 female) of a mean age of 35.8 years were included. Fifty-eight patients underwent SASI bypass and an equal number underwent SG. %EWL at 6 months postoperatively was similar between the two groups. SASI bypass conferred significantly higher %EWL at 12 months than SG (72.6 Vs 60.4, p < 0.0001). Improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after SASI bypass was better than SG (95.8% Vs 70% and 85.7% Vs 18.2%, respectively). SASI bypass required longer operation time than SG (108.7 Vs 92.8 min, p < 0.0001). Complications occurred in 12 (20.7%) patients after SG and 4 (6.9%) patients after SASI bypass (p = 0.056). CONCLUSION: The %EWL at 12 months after SASI bypass was significantly higher than after SG. SASI bypass conferred better improvement in T2DM and GERD than SG. Both procedures had similar weight loss at 6 months postoperatively and comparable complication rates.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass for Patients with Morbid Obesity: a Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass is a newly introduced bariatric and metabolic procedure. The present multicenter study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the SASI bypass in the treatment of patients with morbid obesity and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This is a retrospective, seven-country, multicenter study on patients with morbid obesity who underwent the SASI bypass. Data regarding patients' demographics, body mass index (BMI), percentage of total weight loss (%TWL), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), and improvement in comorbidities at 12 months postoperatively and postoperative complications were collected. RESULTS: Among 605 patients who underwent the SASI, 54 were excluded and 551 (390; 70.8% female) were included. At 12 months after the SASI, a significant decrease in the BMI was observed (43.2 ± 12.5 to 31.2 ± 9.7 kg/m2; p < 0.0001). The %TWL was 27.4 ± 13.4 and the %EWL was 63.9 ± 29.5. Among the 279 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), complete remission was recorded in 234 (83.9%) patients and partial improvement in 43 (15.4%) patients. Eighty-six (36.1%) patients with hypertension, 104 (65%) patients with hyperlipidemia, 37 (57.8%) patients with sleep apnea, and 70 (92.1%) patients with GERD achieved remission. Fifty-six (10.1%) complications and 2 (0.3%) mortalities were recorded. Most complications were minor. All patients had 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The SASI bypass is an effective bariatric and metabolic surgery that achieved satisfactory weight loss and improvement in medical comorbidities, including T2DM, hypertension, sleep apnea, and GERD, with a low complication rate.

Comparative study between botulinum toxin injection and partial division of puborectalis for treating anismus.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the results of partial division of puborectalis (PDPR) versus local botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in treating patients with anismus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized study included 30 male patients suffering from anismus. Diagnosis was made by clinical examination, barium enema, colonoscopy, colonic transit time, anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, defecography, and electromyography. Patients were randomized into: group I which included 15 patients who were injected with BTX-A and group II which included 15 patients who underwent bilateral PDPR. Follow-up was conducted for about 1 year. Improvement was considered when patients returned to their normal habits. RESULTS: BTX-A injection achieved initial success in 13 patients (86.7%). However, long-term success persisted only in six patients (40%). This was in contrast to PDPR which achieved initial success in all patients (100%) with a long-term success in ten patients (66.6%). Recurrence was observed in seven patients (53.8%) and five patients (33.4%) following BTX-A injection and PDPR, respectively. Minor degrees of incontinence were confronted in two patients (13.3%) following PDPR. CONCLUSION: BTX-A injection seems to be successful for temporary treatment of anismus.

Effect of methylene blue on intra-abdominal adhesion formation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion formation represents an important clinical challenge in gastro-intestinal surgery. In the late era, methylene blue (MB) has been claimed to play a helping role in combating such a problem. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MB administered intraperitoneally on the surgically-induced adhesions in rats and tried to clarify whether its impact is concentration-dependent. MATERIAL & METHODS: Seventy adult male Wistar rats were used. They were allocated into seven groups, ten rats each: one control, two sham-operated and four experimental ones. Peritoneal adhesions were evoked by scraping the cecal serosa in the four experimental groups which were given different concentrations of MB, intraperitoneally. The animals of the control group were similarly dealt but were given saline. The rats of the sham-operated groups were given either MB or saline but without any serosal damage. RESULTS: After the elapse of two weeks, the resulting adhesions, inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. In the rats treated with MB 1%, adhesions, inflammatory process and fibrosis scores were similar to those in the sham-operated rats and were significantly lower than those in all other groups. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that MB, 1%, had the best anti-adhesion potential.

Effect of Roux-en Y gastric bypass on bone metabolism in patients with morbid obesity: Mansoura experiences.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) has been found to be the most efficient way to lose weight and maintain the weight loss in morbid obesity. However, with the formation of a new stomach and the modification of intestinal anatomy, there are significant changes on bone metabolism. The objectives of this study were to evaluate effects of weight loss on bone metabolism after Roux-en Y gastric bypass in patients with morbid obesity. METHODS: Our study included 70 patients with morbid obesity; RYGB was done for all patients. Daily postoperative oral supplementation with 1,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D was done for each patient. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), total body fat, total lean tissue mass, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), total bone area (TBA; using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH vitamin D, 24-h urinary calcium, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) were assessed preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: In our study, females comprised 70% of cases. The mean age was 35+/-8.8 years. One year after RYGB, BW decreased significantly from 132.8+/-26.5 to 90.3+/-17.3 kg (p=0.001). BMI decreased significantly from 48+/-7.3 to 32.6+/-4.1 kg/m(2) (p=0.001). BMC decreased significantly from 2,968.6+/-71.4 to 2,700.8+/-45.4 g (p=0.001). BMD decreased significantly from 1.026+/-0.03 to 1.22+/-0.015 g/cm(2) (p=0.001). TBA decreased significantly from 2,356.2+/-35.4 to 2,216.3+/-43.5 cm(2) (p=0.001). Serum calcium, 24-h urinary calcium, and BSAP were not significantly decreased while 25-OH vitamin D and PTH were not significantly increased after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, it is shown that RYGBP operation gives very good results as regards reduction of body weight in morbidly obese patients. Postoperative supplementation with calcium and vitamin D partially corrects osteoporosis. Thus, these patients need periodic follow-up for BMD, PTH, calcium, serum vitamin D, and markers of bone resorption and formation specially postmenopausal female.

Thyroid surgery: use of the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System versus conventional knot tying.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work is to compare the use of conventional knot tying vs. LigaSuretrade mark Vessel Sealing System (Valley Lab, Boulder, CO) in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that use of the LigaSure would reduce operating time while resulting in a similar rate of complications. METHODS: This study was conducted in Endocrine Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospital on patients who underwent thyroid surgery from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. One hundred and ten patients were operated upon by the same team of surgeons using conventional knot tying in 55 and the LigaSure in 55 patients for hemostasis. The medical records of the patients enrolled were reviewed and compared regarding age, sex, histopathological diagnosis, type of operation performed (lobectomy vs. subtotal thyroidectomy vs. total thyroidectomy), operating time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, length of incision, hospital stay and cost, postoperative pain and outcome evaluation. RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics, thyroid pathology, types of operations and complication rates. The LigaSure group had lower operating times, lower intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain and early pain-free return to normal activity and return to work. CONCLUSION: The LigaSure Vessel Sealing System was as safe as conventional knot tying for thyroidectomy, with the benefit of reduced operating time, postoperative pain severity and early pain-free return to normal activity and return to work.

T4 sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: looking for the right operation.

Most surgeons still perform T2 or T2-3 sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis (PH), but both of these treatments can cause severe side effects. Some recent articles advocating T4 sympathectomy have obtained satisfactory results. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of 3 different levels of sympathectomy. Between July 2003 and July 2006, we treated 60 patients (20 men and 40 women, mean age 26 years) who suffer from palmar hyperhidrosis by endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the level of sympathectomy: ETS2, ETS3, and ETS4 (20 patients in each group). Data were collected by review of medical charts, outpatient clinic notes, and telephone interviews. Patients were asked whether they considered their symptoms to be "cured" or "unchanged." The degree of hand dryness was assessed subjectively. Postoperative complications (wound infection, chest pain, and Horner's syndrome) were assessed. Any occurrence of gustatory sweating, rhinitis, presence and region of reflex compensatory sweating, and recurrence was noted. Patient satisfaction was assessed. Treatment success at follow-up was 90% for the ETS2, 95% for ETS3 patients, and 100% for the ETS4 patients. In the ETS2 and ETS3 groups, a higher rate of overdryness of limbs was observed (35% and 20%, respectively). The compensatory sweating was mild in the ETS4 group, whereas moderate-to-severe reflex sweating was more common in the ETS2 and ETS3 groups. About 40% of ETS2 groups and 25% of ETS3 group patients were unsatisfied with their operation. All patients of the ETS4 group were satisfied with the outcome. In conclusion, ETS4 sympathectomy is an effective method for treating PH and it decreases the rate of compensatory hydrosis (CH).