ACHT - Adipositas Care & Health Therapy after bariatric-metabolic surgery: a prospective, non-randomized intervention study.

INTRODUCTION: Almost 25% of German adults have obesity and numbers are rising, making it an important health issue. Bariatric-metabolic surgery reduces body weight and complications for persons with obesity, but therapeutic success requires long-term post-operative care. Since, no German standards for follow-up by family physicians exist, follow-up is provided by surgical obesity centers, but they are reaching their limits. The ACHT study, funded by the German Innovation Fund, is designed to establish and evaluate the follow-up program, with local physicians following patients supported remotely by obesity centers. METHODS: ACHT is a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized control-group study. The 18-month ACHT follow-up program is a digitally supported, structured, cross-sectoral, and close-to-home program to improve success after bariatric-metabolic surgery. Four groups are compared: intervention group 1 starts the program immediately (3 weeks) after Roux-en-Y gastric-bypass or sleeve-gastrectomy (months 1-18 postoperatively), intervention group 2 begins the program 18-months after surgery (months 19-36 postoperatively). Intervention groups are compared to corresponding control groups that had surgery 18 respectively 36 months previously. In total, 250 patients, enrolled in the intervention groups, are compared with 360 patients in the control groups, who only receive standard care. RESULTS: The primary endpoint to compare intervention and control groups is the adapted King's Score, a composite tool evaluating physical, psychological, socio-economic and functional health status. Secondary endpoints include changes in care structures and care processes for the intervention groups. Multivariate regression analyses adjusting for confounders (including the type of surgery) are used to compare intervention and control groups and to evaluate determinants in longitudinal analyses. The effect of the intervention on healthcare costs will be evaluated based on health insurance billing data of patients who had bariatric-metabolic surgery in the three years prior to the start of the study and of patients who undergo bariatric-metabolic surgery during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: ACHT will be the one of the first evaluated structured, close-to-home follow-up programs for bariatric surgery in Germany. It will evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented program regarding improvements in health status, mental health, quality of life and the feasibility of such a program outside of specialized obesity centers.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Obesity Class V (BMI > 60 kg/m2): a Modified Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the preferred method to achieve significant weight loss in patients with Obesity Class V (BMI > 60 kg/m2). However, there is no consensus regarding the best procedure(s) for this population. Additionally, these patients will likely have a higher risk of complications and mortality. The aim of this study was to achieve a consensus among a global panel of expert bariatric surgeons using a modified Delphi methodology. METHODS: A total of 36 recognized opinion-makers and highly experienced metabolic and bariatric surgeons participated in the present Delphi consensus. 81 statements on preoperative management, selection of the procedure, perioperative management, weight loss parameters, follow-up, and metabolic outcomes were voted on in two rounds. A consensus was considered reached when an agreement of ≥ 70% of experts' votes was achieved. RESULTS: A total of 54 out of 81 statements reached consensus. Remarkably, more than 90% of the experts agreed that patients should be notified of the greater risk of complications, the possibility of modifications to the surgical procedure, and the early start of chemical thromboprophylaxis. Regarding the choice of the procedure, SADI-S, RYGB, and OAGB were the top 3 preferred operations. However, no consensus was reached on the limb length in these operations. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first attempt to reach consensus on the choice of procedures as well as perioperative management in patients with obesity class V. Although overall consensus was reached in different areas, more research is needed to better serve this high-risk population.

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in Patients with Situs Inversus: a Systematic Review.

Laparoscopic surgery in patients with obesity with situs inversus (SI) may pose interesting challenges to diagnosing and managing due to the mirror image anatomy. Since in SI patient's organs are displaced, the surgery requires high levels of precision and hand-eye coordination. SI and bariatric surgery may pose challenges for the surgical team. A total of 46 patients were reported in this systematic review. The mean age of cases was ~39 years (range 19-59), and the mean BMI was 45.9 kg/m2 (range 35-76). Of the included 46 patients, 39 had SIT. In the majority of the included patients, either a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) (in 15 patients (35%)) or a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) (in 21 patients (45.6%)) was performed. Complications were documented in 3 cases.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Changes After Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot located between the myocardium and visceral epicardium. Emerging evidence suggests that excessive EAT is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular conditions and other metabolic diseases. A literature search was conducted from the earliest studies to the 26th of November 2022 on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane. All the studies evaluating changes in EAT, pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), or total cardiac fat loss before and after BS were included. From 623 articles, 35 were eventually included in the systematic review. Twenty-one studies showed a significant reduction of EAT after BS, and only one study showed a non-significant reduction (p = 0.2).

Hypothesis that alpha-amylase evokes regulatory mechanisms originating in the pancreas, gut and circulation, which govern glucose/insulin homeostasis.

The anti-incretin theory involving the abolishment of diabetes type (DT) II by some of methods used in bariatric surgery, first appeared during the early years of the XXI century and considers the existence of anti-incretin substances. However, to date no exogenous or endogenous anti-incretins have been found. Our concept of the acini-islet-acinar axis assumes that insulin intra-pancreatically stimulates alpha-amylase synthesis ("halo phenomenon") and in turn, alpha-amylase reciprocally inhibits insulin production, thus making alpha-amylase a candidate for being an anti-incretin. Additionally, gut as well as plasma alpha-amylase, of pancreatic and other origins, inhibits the appearance of dietary glucose in the blood, lowering the glucose peak after iv or oral glucose loading. This effect of alpha-amylase can be interpreted as an insulin down regulatory mechanism, possibly limiting the depletion of pancreatic beta cells and preventing their failure. Clinical observations agree with the above statements, where patients with high blood alpha-amylase concentrations are seldom obese and seldom develop DT2. Obese-DT2, as well as DT1 patients, usually develop exo-crine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and vice versa. Ultimately, DT2 patients develop DT1, when the pancreatic beta cells are exhausted and insulin production ceases. Studies on biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and on BPD with duodenal switch, a type of bariatric surgery, as well as studies on EPI pigs, allow us to observe and investigate the above-mentioned phenomena of intra-pancreatic interactions.

Effect of bariatric surgery on cardio-psycho-metabolic outcomes in severe obesity: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Randomized evidence comparing the cardiovascular effects of surgical and conservative weight management is lacking. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this single-center, open-label randomized trial, obese patients with indication for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and able to perform treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were included. After a 6-12 month run-in phase of multimodal anti-obesity treatment, patients were randomized to RYGB or psychotherapy-enhanced lifestyle intervention (PELI) and co-primary endpoints were assessed 12 months later. Thereafter, PELI patients could opt for surgery and patients were reassessed 24 months after randomization. Co-primary endpoints were mean change (95 % confidence intervals) in peak VO2 (ml/min/kg body weight) in CPET and the physical functioning scale (PFS) of the Short Form health survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Of 93 patients entering the study, 60 were randomized. Among these (median age 38 years; 88 % women; mean BMI 48·2 kg/m2), 46 (RYGB: 22 and PELI: 24) were evaluated after 12 months. Total weight loss was 34·3 % after RYGB vs. 1·2 % with PELI, while peak VO2 increased by +4·3 ml/min/kg (2·7, 5·9) vs +1·1 ml/min/kg (-0·2, 2·3); p < 0·0001. Respective improvement in PFS score was +40 (30, 49) vs +10 (1, 15); p < 0·0001. 6-minute walking distance also favored the RYGB group: +44 m (17, 72) vs +6 m (-14, 26); p < 0·0001. Left ventricular mass decreased after RYGB, but not with PELI: -32 g (-46, -17) vs 0 g (-13,13); p < 0·0001. In the non-randomized follow-up, 34 patients were assessed. Favorable changes were sustained in the RYGB group and were repeated in the 15 evaluated patients that opted for surgery after PELI. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with severe obesity, RYGB in comparison to PELI resulted in improved cardiopulmonary capacity and quality of life. The observed effect sizes suggest that these changes are clinically relevant.

Insulin Resistance Is the Main Characteristic of Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity (MUO) Associated with NASH in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

(1) Background: Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a concept that applies to obese patients without any elements of metabolic syndrome (metS). In turn, metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) defines the presence of elements of metS in obese patients. The components of MUO can be divided into subgroups regarding the elements of inflammation, lipid and glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease. MUO patients appear to be at greater risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared to MHO patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different MUO components on NAFLD and NASH in patients with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. (2) Methods: 141 patients undergoing bariatric surgery from September 2015 and October 2021 at RWTH Aachen university hospital (Germany) were included. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively for characteristics of metS and MUO (HbA1c, HOMA, CRP, BMI, fasting glucose, LDL, TG, HDL and the presence of arterial hypertension). Intraoperatively, a liver biopsy was taken from the left liver lobe and evaluated for the presence of NAFLD or NASH. In ordinal regression analyses, different factors were evaluated for their influence on NAFLD and NASH. (3) Results: Mean BMI of the patients was 52.3 kg/m2 (36-74.8, SD 8.4). Together, the parameters HbA1c, HOMA, CRP, BMI, fasting glucose, LDL, TG, HDL and the presence of arterial hypertension accounted for a significant amount of variance in the outcome, with a likelihood ratio of χ2 (9) = 41.547, p < 0.001, for predicting the presence of NASH. Only HOMA was an independent predictor of NASH (B = 0.102, SE = 0.0373, p = 0.007). Evaluation of steatosis showed a similar trend (likelihood ratio χ2 (9) = 40.272, p < 0.001). Independent predictors of steatosis were HbA1c (B = 0.833, SE = 0.343, p = 0.015) and HOMA (B = 0.136, SE = 0.039, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The above-mentioned model, including components of MUO, was significant for diagnosing NASH in patients with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Out of the different subitems, HOMA independently predicted the presence of NASH and steatosis, while HbA1c independently predicted steatosis and fibrosis. Taken together, the parameter of glucose metabolism appears to be more accurate for the prediction of NASH than the parameters of lipid metabolism, inflammation or the presence of cardiovascular disease.

[Bariatric endoscopy-Possibilities and value in obesity medicine and surgery-A separate special field]. / Bariatrische Endoskopie ­ Möglichkeiten und Stellenwert in der Adipositasmedizin und -chirurgie ­ ein eigenes Spezialgebiet.

Endoscopy has become established as an important component in all preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative areas of bariatric surgery. As guidelines are not yet available, relevant studies and international position papers have been collected in this article. Preoperatively, endoscopy should be performed before sleeve gastrectomy (SG, detection of reflux status) and before bypass procedures (status survey of the postoperatively no longer accessible distal stomach). Routine endoscopic monitoring should be performed 2-3 years after SG and a OAGB (one anastomosis gastric bypass) for recording of the gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD) status. In the first line complication management of hemorrhage and leakages, endoscopic procedures have prevailed over surgical ones due to more causal therapeutic approaches (except cases of general peritonitis where lavage and drainages are needed). In the treatment of late complications such as dumping, anastomosis dilatation and stenosis, bariatric endoscopy provides versatile, organ-preserving solutions and continues to demonstrate a high degree of innovation. In these postoperative fields of application, especially in the treatment of late complications, specific knowledge of bariatric anatomy and physiology as well as surgical treatment options are required in addition to endoscopic expertise. The special field of bariatric endoscopy has developed and will have an own importance closely linked to the bariatric surgery.

Perioperative Interventions to Prevent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Marginal Ulcers After Bariatric Surgery - an International Experts' Survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to survey international experts in metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) to improve and consolidate perioperative interventions to prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and marginal ulcers (MU) after MBS. BACKGROUND: Very important long-term complications after MBS include GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and MU. Prevention might be fundamental to reduce the incidence, severe complications, and the increasing number of revisional bariatric surgeries. METHODS: An international scientific team designed an online confidential questionnaire with 45 multiple-choice questions. The survey was sent to 110 invited experts and 96 of them (from 41 different countries) participated from 21 July 2022 to 4 September 2022. RESULTS: Most experts (≥ 90%) prescribe postoperative acid suppression agents after MBS. Life-long proton pump inhibitors prophylaxis in smokers with avoidance of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended by most of the experts (66%, 73%) after any type of gastric bypass. Two-thirds of experts (69%) perform Helicobacter pylori eradication prior to MBS. Two-thirds of experts (68%) routinely perform EGD and biopsy before MBS. Follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and timing threshold for revisional and conversional MBS were variable among experts. CONCLUSION: This expert survey underlines important perioperative interventions that reached a two-thirds consensus among MBS international experts. Variability in follow-up EGD, approach to complication management, and thresholds for revisional and conversional MBS emphasize the need for further researches and consensus guidelines.

Changes in Plasma Metabolomic Profile Following Bariatric Surgery, Lifestyle Intervention or Diet Restriction-Insights from Human and Rat Studies.

Although bariatric surgery is known to change the metabolome, it is unclear if this is specific for the intervention or a consequence of the induced bodyweight loss. As the weight loss after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) can hardly be mimicked with an evenly effective diet in humans, translational research efforts might be helpful. A group of 188 plasma metabolites of 46 patients from the randomized controlled Würzburg Adipositas Study (WAS) and from RYGB-treated rats (n = 6) as well as body-weight-matched controls (n = 7) were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. WAS participants were randomized into intensive lifestyle modification (LS, n = 24) or RYGB (OP, n = 22). In patients in the WAS cohort, only bariatric surgery achieved a sustained weight loss (BMI -34.3% (OP) vs. -1.2% (LS), p ≤ 0.01). An explicit shift in the metabolomic profile was found in 57 metabolites in the human cohort and in 62 metabolites in the rodent model. Significantly higher levels of sphingolipids and lecithins were detected in both surgical groups but not in the conservatively treated human and animal groups. RYGB leads to a characteristic metabolomic profile, which differs distinctly from that following non-surgical intervention. Analysis of the human and rat data revealed that RYGB induces specific changes in the metabolome independent of weight loss.

Surgical Management of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass - a Systematic Review.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) remains a concern. We reviewed the current literature on revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were searched. We identified 21 studies, appraising 13,658 OAGB patients. A total of 230 (1.6%) patients underwent revisional surgery for GORD. Revision to Roux-en-Y configuration was performed in 211 (91.7%) patients. Six (2.6%) patients had a Braun entero-enterostomy added to the OAGB. Thirteen (5.6%) patients underwent excluded stomach fundoplication (ESF). Reflux symptoms resolved in 112 (48.6%) patients, persisted in 13 (5.6%) patients, and were not reported in 105 (45.6%) patients. Revisional surgery after OAGB for GORD appears to be rare, and when required, conversion to Roux-en-Y configuration is the commonest choice.

Fast-track rescue weight reduction therapy to achieve rapid technical operability for emergency bariatric surgery in patients with life-threatening inoperable severe obesity - A proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Severe obesity (BMI ≥60 kg/m2) in multimorbid patients can be acutely life-threatening. While emergency weight-loss surgery is urgently needed to preserve life, most patients are in an inoperable state. Pre-surgical bridging therapy is required to achieve technical operability through weight reduction. Standard bridging using an intragastric balloon (IB) can achieve operability in 6 months but is unsuitable for some patients in a critical condition. A non-invasive fast-track rescue therapy to achieve very rapid operability is urgently needed. We investigated whether a rescue weight reduction therapy (RWR) consisting of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a leucine-rich amino acid infusion and a hypocaloric diet, can accelerate readiness for emergency surgery in patients with acutely life-threatening severe obesity. METHODS: In this proof-of-concept study, prospective data from patients treated with RWR (intervention group 1, n = 26) were mathematically matched with retrospective biometric data of 26 patients with severe obesity (historic control group 2) who underwent standard 6-month bridging with IB. A rating scale was developed to identify patients needing urgent fast-track bridging. RESULTS: Rapid weight loss was observed in all patients on the RWR therapy. All achieved operability after a mean RWR bridging duration of 20.7 ± 6.9 days. Baseline weight was 236.3 ± 35.8 kg in group 1 compared with 230.1 ± 32.7 kg in group 2. Mean body weight loss during RWR was 27.5 ± 14.1 kg, compared with 20.9 ± 10.5 kg in group 2 (P = 0.0629). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative bridging using liraglutide in combination with a leucine-rich amino acid infusion and hypocaloric diet was effective in all cases of acutely life-threatening severe obesity, achieving technical operability within only ca. 2-4 weeks. This therapy has potential as a life-saving rescue therapy for multimorbid patients with severe obesity who were previously untreatable. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02616003).

Chyloperitoneum and Chylothorax Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review.

Chyloperitoneum and chylothorax (ChP/ChT) are rare complications after bariatric surgery. This systematic review aims to evaluate the incidence, cause, treatment, and outcome of ChP and ChT after bariatric surgery. This review investigates published English language scientific literature systematically in an attempt to answer these questions. Our literature search revealed 66 studies, of which 23 were included. There were a total of 40 patients (38, ChP; 2, ChT). Eighteen of 40 (43.9%) patients were treated laparoscopically, and one patient (2.44%) underwent thoracoscopy and ligation of the thoracic duct. Both ChP and ChT are rare complications after bariatric surgery.

Glycemic control and BMI changes after endoscopic implantation of a duodenojejunal bypass liner compared with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: a propensity score matching analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Both laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and duodenojejunal bypass liner (DJBL) have been shown to induce weight loss and dramatically ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since DJBL implantation causes nutrients to pass through the duodenum without contact with the digestive juices and the duodenal mucosa, its mechanisms have been suggested to mimic those of RYGB. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these two bariatric procedures in terms of glycemic control and BMI in patients with obesity and T2DM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort propensity score-weighted comparison of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) vs duodenojejunal bypass liner (DJBL) was conducted in patients with obesity and T2DM undergoing either procedure from 05/2014 to 12/2017. Propensity scores were weighted for body weight, body mass index (BMI), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The primary outcome was comparative improvement of HbA1c. Secondary comparative effectiveness outcomes were decrease of body weight and BMI. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included: 21 (10 male, 11 female; mean age 50.6 ± 11.7 years) underwent RYGB, while DJBL was implanted in 25 (10 male, 15 female; 52.5 ± 9.5 years). After twelve months, mean ΔBMI was 11.54 ± 4.47 kg/m2 for RYGB vs. 6.23 ± 2.36 kg/m2 for DJBL (p < 0.05). Mean total weight loss was 27.93 ± 8.57% for RYGB vs. 15.04 ± 5.73% for DJBL (p < 0.05). Glycemic control after one year improved significantly in both groups but did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: RYGB and DJBL seem to be associated with similar remission rates of hyperglycemia after one year. However, RYGB induces more significant weight loss than DJBL.

Cardio-psycho-metabolic outcomes of bariatric surgery: design and baseline of the WAS trial.

Obesity is a rapidly emerging health problem and an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Bariatric surgery profoundly reduces body weight and mitigates sequelae of obesity. The open, randomized controlled Würzburg Adipositas Studie (WAS) trial compares the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) vs psychotherapy-supported lifestyle modification in morbidly obese patients. The co-primary endpoint addresses 1-year changes in cardiovascular function (peak VO2 during cardiopulmonary exercise testing) and the quality of life (QoL) (Short-Form-36 physical functioning scale). Prior to randomization, all included patients underwent a multimodal anti-obesity treatment for 6-12 months. Thereafter, the patients were randomized and followed through month 12 to collect the primary endpoints. Afterwards, patients in the lifestyle group could opt for surgery, and final visit was scheduled for all patients 24 months after randomization. Sample size calculation suggested to enroll 90 patients in order to arrive at minimally 22 patients per group evaluable for the primary endpoint. Secondary objectives were to quantify changes in body weight, left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic function (by echocardiography and cardiac MRI), functional brain MRI, psychometric scales, and endothelial and metabolic function. WAS enrolled 93 patients (72 women, median age 38 years, BMI 47.5 kg/m2) exhibiting a relevantly compromised exercise capacity (median peakVO2 18.3 mL/min/kg) and the QoL (median physical functioning scale 50). WAS is the first randomized controlled trial focusing on the effects of RYGB on cardiovascular function beyond hypertension. In addition, it will provide a wealth of high-quality data on the cerebral, psychiatric, hepatic, and metabolic function in obese patients after RYGB.

Association of Body Composition and Sarcopenia with NASH in Obese Patients.

Obese patients often suffer from sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity (SO) that can trigger inflammatory diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Sarcopenia and SO can be diagnosed through measuring parameters of body composition such as skeletal muscle mass (SMM), skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat mass (FM) obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of body composition and NASH in patients with obesity. A total of 138 patients with obesity that underwent bariatric surgery were included in this study. BIA was used to estimate body composition. A liver biopsy was taken intraoperatively and histological assessment of NASH was performed. A total of 23 patients (17%) were classified as NASH and 65 patients (47%) met the criteria for borderline NASH. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in patients with NASH compared to borderline NASH and no NASH (56.3 kg/m2 vs. 51.6 kg/m2 vs. 48.6 kg/m2, p = 0.004). Concerning body composition, FM, but also SMM and SMI were significantly higher in patients with NASH (p-values 0.011, 0.005 and 0.006, resp.). Fat mass index (FMI) and weight-adjusted skeletal muscle index (SMI_weight) failed to reach statistical significance (p-values 0.067 and 0.661). In patients with obesity, higher FM were associated with NASH. Contrary to expectations, SMM and SMI were also higher in patients with NASH. Therefore, higher body fat, rather than sarcopenia and SO, might be decisive for development of NASH in patients with obesity.

Comparison of Liver Recovery After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y-Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition in patients with obesity. Bariatric surgery has often been proposed as a viable treatment option, but the ideal surgical procedure remains unclear. Inconsistently, reports on postoperative deterioration of liver function put further doubt on which technique to apply. Aim of this study was to assess the impact of Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on the postoperative recovery of liver function. METHODS: A total of 175 patients with obesity that underwent bariatric surgery in our institution were included in this prospective cohort study. BMI, laboratory values, and liver function capacity (using LiMAx) were assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Generalized linear model (GLM) was performed to determine variables influencing liver function capacity after the operation. RESULTS: Prior to operations, 64% of patients presented with a diminished liver function capacity, as measured by LiMAx test. Liver function capacity significantly recovered after 12 months in the SG group (300 µg/kg/h preop vs. 367 µg/kg/h postop) but not in the RYGB group (306 µg/kg/h preop vs. 349 µg/kg/h). Preoperative factors impeding liver function recovery included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), weight, male sex, AST/thrombocyte ratio (APRI), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery, especially sleeve gastrectomy, leads to an improvement of liver function. However, in some patients with T2DM, higher preoperative weight and male sex postoperative deterioration of liver function capacity may occur.

One Anastomosis/Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB) as revisional bariatric surgery after failed primary adjustable gastric band (LAGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG): A systematic review of 1075 patients.

BACKGROUND: One Anastomosis/Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB) is rapidly gaining popularity and is now the third common bariatric procedure performed in the world. The aim of this review is to look at the role of this operation as a revisional bariatric surgery (RBS). METHODS: Literature review was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and the AMSTAR (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) guidelines. Total 17 studies were eligible. RESULTS: This review reports cumulative results of 1075 revisional OAGB-MGB procedures. Primary procedures included gastric banding (LAGB), Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and gastric plication. The mean age was 43.1 years and female to male ratio was 3.04: 1. The body mass index (BMI) at primary procedure was 47.05 kg/m2. The mean BMI at revisional surgery was 41.6 kg/m2 (range 28-70.8). The mean time between the primary and the secondary operation was 46.5 months (3-264). The mean follow-up was 2.44 years (6-60 months). The mean operative time was 119.3 min. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.01 days (2-28). The median limb length was 200 cm (range 150-250 cm). Leak rate was 1.54%. Marginal ulcer rate was 2.44%. Anemia rate was 1.9%. Mortality was 0.3%. The excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1 year and 2 years was 65.2% and 68.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is evidence to consider OAGB-MGB as a safe and effective choice for RBS. Randomised studies with long term follow-up are suggested for the future.

IFSO Endoscopy Committee Position Statement on the Practice of Bariatric Endoscopy During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic. Obesity is a risk factor for severe disease, and the practice of endoscopy poses special challenges and risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients and providers given the evolving role of the gastrointestinal tract in viral transmission and aerosol generation during endoscopic procedures. It is therefore necessary to distinguish between urgent interventions that cannot be postponed despite the risks during the pandemic and, in contrast, purely elective interventions that could be deferred in order to minimize transmission risks during a time of infection surge and limited access. Semi-urgent bariatric procedures have an intermediate position. Since the chronological course of the pandemic is still unpredictable, these interventions were defined according to whether or not they should be performed within a nominal 8-week period. In this position statement, the IFSO Endoscopy Committee offers guidance on navigating bariatric endoscopic procedures in patients with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hope of mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to vulnerable patients and healthcare workers. These recommendations may evolve as the pandemic progresses.