American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery position statement on one-anastomosis gastric bypass.

The following position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in response to inquiries made to the society by patients, physicians, society members, hospitals, health insurance payors, and others regarding one-anastomosis gastric bypass as a treatment for obesity and metabolic disease. This statement is based on current clinical knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence available at this time. The statement may be revised in the future as more information becomes available.

Collateral Benefit of Systematic Improvement in Bariatric Surgery Outcomes Following a Single Quality Improvement Project for Bleeding.

The study's aim was not only to use quality improvement system techniques to improve patient care specifically for bleeding but also to track other adverse outcomes. Key drivers were identified and mapped to interventions, namely venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, root cause analysis, indications conference, and operative technique standardization. Bleeding was reduced by 88%, and overall postoperative complications also fell by 63%. A targeted quality improvement project not only was effective in improving outcomes for the specific aim of bleeding but also resulted in improvement for other patient outcomes.

Role of the exercise professional in metabolic and bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is important for the long-term health and weight management of patients who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). However, the roles of exercise professionals in MBS settings have not been systematically determined. OBJECTIVES: To investigate: (1) who are the professionals implementing PA programming in MBS clinical settings; and (2) what patient-centric tasks do they perform? SETTING: Clinical and academic exercise settings worldwide. METHODS: This multimethod study included a scoping review of PA programs in MBS described in the research literature. Data about job tasks were extracted and provided to 10 experts to sort into categories. Cluster analysis was utilized to find the hierarchical structure of tasks. A Delphi process was used to agree on a final model. RESULTS: The majority of PA professionals were exercise physiologists in the USA and physiotherapists or other types of exercise professionals elsewhere. Forty-three tasks were identified, the most reported being supervision of exercise, fitness testing, and exercise prescription. Seven higher-order categories were determined: (1) Exercise-related health assessment, (2) Body composition and physical fitness assessment, (3) Lifestyle physical activity and sedentary behavior assessment, (4) Education, instruction, and prescription, (5) Exercise monitoring, (6) Behavioral counseling and psychosocial support, and (7) Dietary support. The following statements were rated an average of 9.0, classifying them as "imperative": 1) "Pre- and postoperative PA/exercise guidelines for MBS patients are needed", 2) "MBS programs need to include PA/exercise as part of multidisciplinary care". CONCLUSIONS: The expert group reached a consensus on 7 major classifications of job tasks for the exercise professional. It is important for governing medical associations across the world to formally recognize experienced exercise professionals as playing pivotal roles in continuing, multidisciplinary care for MBS patients. These findings also provide evidence-based information in the effort to solidify these positions within the greater context of healthcare.

Outcomes of SADI and OAGB Compared to RYGB from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program: The North American Experience.

BACKGROUND: Rapid adoption of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in the last decade aptly reflects the desire of patients and surgeons for alternatives to RYGB and DS. While SG provides good outcomes, other options that address specific patient needs are warranted. Recently approved by ASMBS, SADI, and OAGB have garnered increasing interest due to their single anastomosis technique. METHODS: Using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program database, we examined laparoscopic and robotic cases from 2018 to 2021 to understand the percentage of primary bariatric surgery cases that are SADI and OAGB. We used coarsened exact matching to match patients who underwent SADI or OAGB to patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). We examined outcomes of matched patients using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 667,979 patients that underwent bariatric-metabolic surgery, 1326 (0.2%) underwent SADI, and 2541 (0.4%) underwent OAGB. SADI was not identified in the database until 2020. In 2020, there were 487 SADI procedures compared to 839 in 2021. From 2018 to 2021, OAGBs went from 149 to 940. Compared with RYGB, SADI was associated with higher rates of anastomotic or staple line leak (OR 2.21 (95% CI 1.08-4.53)) and sepsis (OR 3.62 (95% CI 1.62-8.12)). Compared with RYGB, OAGB was associated with lower rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (OR 0.29 (95% CI 0.12-0.71)) and bowel obstruction (OR 0.10 (95% CI 0.02-0.39)). Of note, there were no differences between these procedures and RYGB for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: More SADIs and OAGBs are being performed. However, there were higher complication rates associated with the SADI procedure. Further studies will be needed to better understand the key drivers for these outcomes.

The Degree of Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia Is Associated with Risk of Postoperative Complications in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and impact of hypoalbuminemia in bariatric surgery patients is poorly characterized. We describe its distribution in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients undergoing primary or revision surgeries and assess its impact on postoperative complications. METHODS: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program Database (2015 to 2021) was analyzed. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as Severe (< 3 g/dL), Moderate (3 ≤ 3.5 g/dL), Mild (3.5 ≤ 4 g/dL), or Normal (≥ 4 g/dL). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios of postoperative complications compared to those with Normal albumin after controlling for procedure, age, gender, race, body mass index, functional status, American Society of Anesthesia class, and operative length. RESULTS: A total of 817,310 patients undergoing Primary surgery and 69,938 patients undergoing Revision/Conversion ("Revision") surgery were analyzed. The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia was as follows (Primary, Revision): Severe, 0.3%, 0.6%; Moderate, 5.2%, 6.5%; Mild, 28.3%, 31.4%; Normal, 66.2%, 61.4%. Primary and Revision patients with hypoalbuminemia had a significantly higher prevalence (p < 0.01) of several co-morbidities, including hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes. Any degree of hypoalbuminemia increased the odds ratio of several complications in Primary and Revision patients, including readmission, intervention, and reoperation. In Primary patients, all levels of hypoalbuminemia also increased the odds ratio of unplanned intubation, intensive care unit admission, and venous thromboembolism requiring therapy. CONCLUSION: Over 30% of patients present with hypoalbuminemia. Even mild hypoalbuminemia was associated with an increased rate of several complications including readmission, intervention, and reoperation. Ensuring nutritional optimization, especially prior to revision surgery, may improve outcomes in this challenging population.

Role of the exercise professional in metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is important for the long-term health and weight management of patients who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). However, the roles of exercise professionals in MBS settings have not been systematically determined. Objectives: To investigate: (1) who are the professionals implementing PA programming in MBS clinical settings; and (2) what patient-centric tasks do they perform? Setting: Clinical and academic exercise settings worldwide. Methods: This multimethod study included a scoping review of PA programs in MBS described in the research literature. Data about job tasks were extracted and provided to 10 experts to sort into categories. Cluster analysis was utilized to find the hierarchical structure of tasks. A Delphi process was used to agree on a final model. Results: The majority of PA professionals were exercise physiologists in the USA and physiotherapists or other types of exercise professionals elsewhere. Forty-three tasks were identified, the most reported being: supervision of exercise, fitness testing, and exercise prescription. Seven higher-order categories were determined: (1) Exercise-related health assessment, (2) Body composition and physical fitness assessment, (3) Lifestyle physical activity and sedentary behavior assessment, (4) Education, instruction, and prescription, (5) Exercise monitoring, (6) Behavioral counseling and psychosocial support, and (7) Dietary support. The following statements were rated an average of 9.0, classifying them as "imperative": 1) "Pre- and post-operative PA/exercise guidelines for MBS patients are needed", 2) "MBS programs need to include PA/exercise as part of multidisciplinary care". Conclusions: The expert group reached a consensus on 7 major classifications of job tasks for the exercise professional. It is important for governing medical associations across the world to formally recognize experienced exercise professionals as playing pivotal roles in continuing, multidisciplinary care for MBS patients. These findings also provide evidence-based information in the effort to solidify these positions within the greater context of healthcare.

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery literature review on the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass limb lengths on outcomes.

This literature review is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery regarding limb lengths in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and their effect on metabolic and bariatric outcomes. Limbs in RYGB consist of the alimentary and biliopancreatic limbs and the common channel. Variation of limb lengths in primary RYGB and as a revisional option for weight recurrence after RYGB are described in this review.

Correlating actual one-year weight loss with predicted weight loss by the MBSAQIP: bariatric surgical risk/benefit calculator.

BACKGROUND: The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has released a Bariatric Surgical Risk/Benefit Calculator, an online tool with which patients and providers can input patient preoperative information and predict their 1-year weight loss. We seek to validate our institutional data with the national database and investigated patient factors that influence lack of treatment effect after bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all prospectively collected data of bariatric surgeries performed at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2017 to 2018 was conducted. By entering data into the MBSAQIP Calculator, the 1-year predicted Body Mass Index was calculated and compared to the actual weight loss. Statistical analysis was performed using an unpaired t-test with Welch's correction (Prism 8, GraphPad). RESULTS: The average difference between the actual and predicted weight loss at 1-year for 327 patients was 3.6 BMI points. When the actual weight loss was compared to predicted BMI at 1 year, a high correlation was found (R = 0.6, P = 0.003). We examined the outliers with a comparison of weight loss for those patients who's BMI fell within 5 points of the predicted versus those whose BMI recorded above 5. It was discovered those patients who had higher than 5 BMI points than predicted, had higher preoperative BMI (46.1 vs 43.6, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The MBSAQIP calculator is a useful tool to guide surgeons with decision-making and informed consent. Our institution's 1-year weight loss data correlated closely with that predicted. From the outliers, we found that patients who did not meet the predicted weight loss had significantly higher preoperative BMI. This may alter preoperative discussions with class 3 or over obese patients regarding expected weight loss and warrant investigations with the national database to develop modifications of the calculator.

Mesenteric Amyloidosis: Radiologic Imaging with Pathologic Correlation.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that is characterized by abnormal deposition of amyloid proteins in tissues, resulting in local, or systemic disease. When localized, it can present as an amyloidoma. We report a case of mesenteric amyloidosis in an 80-year-old male who was found to have an incidental mesenteric mass that was biopsy-proven to represent non-light chain amyloid tissue.

Safety and Efficacy of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable method for treating obesity. This review highlights the results and safety of bariatric surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: The global prevalence of obesity and its related comorbidities including cancer are on the rise. Bariatric surgery has demonstrated more robust and durable weight loss than current medical treatment. Bariatric surgery also reduces significantly the risk of complications associated with obesity comorbidities, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the risk of mortality in comparison with medical management. Due to accreditation efforts, the safety profile of bariatric surgery is equivalent or superior to many common operations. Obesity is associated with increased all cause morbidity and mortality. The current bariatric procedures produce significant and durable weight loss and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with obesity-related diseases substantially. The risk/benefit ratio for bariatric surgery is decidedly in favor for the benefit for bariatric surgery.

Reversal of Roux en Y gastric bypass: largest single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature on patients who have undergone reversal of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to normal anatomy. We present the largest single institution experience with reversal of RYGB for serious chronic complications. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience including indications, outcomes, and complications of RYGB reversal. SETTING: Academic-affiliated private practice. METHODS: Retrospective review of 48 patients who underwent laparoscopic reversal of RYGB between 2012 and 2016. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent (n = 46) of patients were female, and the mean age was 48.6 (range, 23-72). Indications for reversal of RYGB included marginal ulcer (n = 25, 12 of whom were malnourished and 17 had coexisting substance abuse), malnutrition alone (n = 11), chronic pain and nausea (n = 7), and postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (n = 5). Overall 30-day complication rate was 29% (n = 14), including gastrogastric anastomotic leak (n = 5), sepsis (n = 5), and bleeding requiring transfusion (n = 3). Weight gain after surgery increased in all patients, especially those patients deemed severely malnourished. All patients reported resolution of symptoms leading to reversal of RYGB, although 58% of patients were lost to follow-up at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic reversal of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a complex revisional operation that can be safely performed in a select group of patients with serious complications. The main indications for reversal of RYGB included malnutrition with and without recalcitrant marginal ulcers. Weight gain and resolution of malnutrition occurred soon after reversal of gastric bypass. Because the complication rates are high, reversal should be considered only after all salvage attempts have failed. Reversal to normal anatomy carries high morbidity, including sepsis, leaks and bleeding, high reoperative rates, and readmission. Although reversal of RYGB has a role in the treatment of a select group of patients, it should be undertaken by surgeons with considerable experience in RYGB revision.

Intraoperative Blood Pressure Lability Is Associated with Postoperative Hemorrhage after Uncomplicated Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hemorrhage is a rare complication in bariatric surgery. We aim to determine if differences in blood pressure or perioperative medication administration contribute to postoperative bleeding in patients who were hemodynamically stable intraoperatively. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study of all bariatric surgery patients from 2014 to 2017 at a high volume academic center. We identified controls based on age, gender, ethnicity, type of procedure, and pre-operative blood pressure. RESULTS: Patients with postoperative hemorrhage had a significantly lower MAP during the portion of the surgery in which the abdominal contents were inspected for leaks and bleeds. The timing of enoxaparin or ketorolac administration was not associated with bleeding. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure lability, but not enoxaparin or ketorolac administration, is associated with postoperative hemorrhage.

Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Practices and Evidence-Based Guidelines in Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Excessive opioid prescribing creates risk for abuse and adverse effects, but must be balanced against individualized pain control. Minimal literature exists to guide providers in the postoperative bariatric surgical setting. STUDY DESIGN: We compare opioid prescribing practice for minimally invasive bariatric surgery in a university hospital with self-reported patient use and satisfaction. This data is used to create practice guidelines for postoperative prescriptions. A 10-question survey was administered at the first postoperative office visit. All patients at this visit were eligible. None declined or excluded. We analyzed 115 patients for 3 procedures: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG; n = 53), laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB; n = 50), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band removal (LAGBR; n = 12). Outcomes included number of pills prescribed (verified), proportion used, duration of use, satisfaction with pain control, and non-narcotic analgesic use. RESULTS: An average of 27 ± 10 pills were dispensed for LSG, average 4.1 days of use; 28 ± 7 pills for LRYGB, 4.6 days; and16 ± 9 pills for LAGBR, 2.6 days. Fifty to 74% retained more than half or all of their opioids at 2 weeks. Fifty-four percent utilized non-narcotic analgesics. Overall, 91.3% reported adequate pain control. For each procedure, average number of pills used was calculated with representative values for "less than half left" (75% of average number of pills prescribed) and "more than half left" (25% of average number of pills prescribed). For LSG, an average of 9 pills were used; LRYGB 14 pills, and LAGBR 7 pills. CONCLUSIONS: Opioids are overprescribed following most common surgical procedures, but only one study has evaluated patterns after bariatric surgery. Our survey-based tool examines prescribing, utilization and satisfaction following common minimally invasive bariatric procedures. Opioid prescriptions were variable, and excessive for most patients. We now recommend prescribing no more than 15 pills after these operations.

Conversion of standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to distal bypass for weight loss failure and metabolic syndrome: 3-year follow-up and evolution of technique to reduce nutritional complications.

BACKGROUND: Standard proximal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) fails to achieve long-term weight maintenance and/or control of metabolic syndrome in up to 35% of patients. OBJECTIVES: To improve the performance of the standard proximal gastric bypass by increasing the biliopancreatic limb length at the expense of the common channel. SETTINGS: Academic-affiliated private practice. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent conversion to distal RYGB from 2010 to 2016 was performed. RYGB was modified by dividing the Roux limb at the jejunojejunostomy and transposing it distally to create a shortened total alimentary limb length (TALL) of 250 to 300 cm in the initial 11 patients. Of these, 7 developed protein calorie malnutrition and diarrhea requiring a second procedure to lengthen the common channel an additional 100 to 150 cm (TALL 400-450 cm), leading to resolution of all symptoms. The subsequent 85 patients were converted to distal RYGB with TALL 400 to 450 in a single-stage operation. RESULTS: Ninety-six RYGB patients underwent conversion to distal RYGB. The mean body mass index and mean excess weight loss at the time of distalization was 40.6 kg/m2 and 33.6%. At 1, 2, and 3 years after distalization, the mean body mass index was reduced to 34.4, 33.1, and 32.2 kg/m2, respectively, and excess weight loss improved to 41.9%, 53.7%, and 65.7%, respectively. Diabetes resolved in 66.7%, hypertension resolved in 28.6%, hyperlipidemia resolved in 40%, and sleep apnea resolved in 50% at 1 year. The 30-day complication rate and reoperation rates were 6.3% and 5.2%; an additional 7.3% (7/96) required reoperation for limb lengthening. Hypoalbuminemia developed in 21% at 3 years, but no increase in iron deficiency was observed. Calcium metabolism was affected by the distalization procedure to a greater degree as 21% of patients had low corrected calcium levels, 77% were deficient in vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels were above normal in 64% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Revision of proximal RYGB to distal RYGB results in substantial improvement in weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities at 3 years. Diarrhea and protein calorie malnutrition were seen frequently in patients with TALL of 250 to 300 cm, whereas patients with TALL 400 to 450 cm demonstrated a lower incidence of nutritional issues, but the effect on calcium, parathyroid hormone, and the fat soluble vitamins A and D is still a major concern.