Effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on thyroid hormones and relationship between metabolic parameters and long-term total weight loss.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has significant effects on metabolic parameters and hormone levels. However, the specific impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on thyroid hormones and other metabolic parameters remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the short and long-term effects of LSG on thyroid hormone levels, HbA1c, and other metabolic parameters. METHODS: A total of 619 euthyroid patients without a history of thyroid disease or thyroid hormone replacement therapy were included in the study. Patients with diabetes were excluded from the study. Preoperative, 1-year postoperative, and 5-year postoperative levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), HbA1c, and other metabolic parameters were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: LSG resulted in significant weight loss and improvements in metabolic parameters. At 1 year postoperatively, there were significant reductions in BMI, HbA1c, TSH, fT3, and triglyceride levels, while fT4 levels increased. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between preoperative HbA1c level and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) value at the fifth postoperative year. Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the 5-year change in TSH and %TWL. CONCLUSION: Being the first study to predict long-term total weight loss based on preoperative HbA1c, it is significant. This finding has important implications for personalized patient management and could aid clinicians in identifying individuals who may benefit most from sleeve gastrectomy as a treatment modality. This is valuable in that it emphasizes multidisciplinary work, including the endocrinologist and dietician.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using 24-hour Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance With pH Testing According to Current Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular weight loss procedure with potential effects on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, research on the association between LSG and GERD using objective evaluation criteria, such as multichannel intraluminal impedance combined with pH testing (MII-pH), is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LSG on GERD using MII-pH and current consensus guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was conducted as a prospective clinical study on 33 patients who underwent LSG between January 2022 and August 2022. MII-pH and high-resolution manometry were performed preoperatively and 3 to 6 months postoperatively. GERD diagnosis was based on MII-pH results using the Lyon and Update Porto consensus guidelines. RESULTS: Postoperative MII-pH analysis revealed a significant increase in acid reflux time, acid exposure time, reflux index, esophageal clearance, total reflux time, and longest reflux period. Weak acid reflux episodes decreased, while Demeester score and alkaline reflux showed nonsignificant increases. Pathologic reflux significantly increased postoperatively based on MII-pH diagnosis. High-resolution manometry showed a significant increase in unsuccessful motility. CONCLUSION: Although the Demeester score calculation consists of 6 metrics, including acid exposure time, the acid exposure time is more specific in detecting pathologic reflux. Pathologic GERD increases significantly with LSG in the early period. Therefore, preoperative and postoperative endoscopy and MII-pH can provide valuable information regarding the need for closer follow-up after LSG.

Symptom Duration and Surgeon Volume: Impact on Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The 'golden 72 hours' rule from the onset of symptoms still applies in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. This rule has been discussed with increasing experience in laparoscopic surgery in recent years. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the optimal symptom duration based on the surgeon's volume when deciding on early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The patients were categorized into two groups: Group 1 (≤3 days) and Group 2 (>3 days) based on the symptom duration, and high-volume surgeons (performing >100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies in a year) and low-volume surgeons (performing <100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies in a year) based on the surgeon volume. All surgeons had received advanced training in laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in postoperative outcomes between groups, except for a few data (p>0.05). The operative time was longer in Group 2, the postoperative hospital stay was longer for low-volume surgeons than for high-volume surgeons after three days, and operative time was longer after three days than the first three days in low-volume surgeons (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be recommended for acute cholecystitis with symptom duration of more than three days, regardless of the surgeon volume, as long as they are competent in laparoscopic surgeries.

Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Pelvic Floor Disorders in Female Patients with Severe Obesity: a Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most effective weight loss methods. Although SG has been found to improve urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB), its impact on fecal incontinence (FI) remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized study involved 60 female patients with severe obesity who were randomly assigned to two groups: the SG group and the diet group. The SG group underwent SG, while the diet group received a low-calorie, low-lipid diet for 6 months. The patients' condition was assessed before and after the study using three questionnaires: the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS), the Overactive Bladder 8-Question Awareness Tool (OAB-V8), and the Wexner Score (CCIS). RESULTS: After 6 months, the SG group had a significantly higher percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) compared to the diet group (p<0.01). Both groups showed a decrease in the ICIQ-FLUTS, OAB-V8, and CCIS scores (p<0.05). UI, OAB, and FI improved significantly in the SG group (p<0.05), but no improvement was observed in the diet group (p>0.05). The correlation between %TWL and PFD was statistically significant but weak, with the strongest correlation between %TWL and ICIQ-FLUTS score and the weakest correlation between %TWL and CCIS score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend bariatric surgery for the treatment of PFD. However, given the weak correlation between %TWL and PFD after SG, further research should explore factors other than %TWL that are effective in recovery, particularly in relation to FI.

Investigation of the effect of weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on cobb angle, waist and back pain: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In many studies, it has been stated that obesity causes severe increases in the risks of disc degeneration, vertebral fracture, low back, and back pain. One of the most effective treatment options for obesity is bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effect of weight loss on these parameters was investigated by evaluating the Cobb angle, low back, and back pain. SETTING: University Hospital METHODS: A total of 89 patients were included in the study. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was performed on all patients. In addition, Cobb angle, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) measurements were recorded at each visit. Investigating the quality and quantity of low back pain and the loss of function caused by the patients; visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OLBPDQ), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF36) were administered. RESULTS: According to the preoperative Cobb angles, the decrease in the 6th month (P = .029) and 12th month (P = .007) measurements after the operation was found to be statistically significant (P < .05), but it was found to be clinically insignificant. When the changes in RMDQ, OLBPDQ, VAS, and SF-36 scores were examined, the decrease in the 6th month (P = .001) and 12th month (P = .001) scores after the operation was found to be significant compared to the preoperative scores (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, weight loss after SG improved for patients with chronic low back and back pain and significantly improved their quality of life.

A New Risk Scoring System to Predict Malignancy in Gallbladder Polyps: a Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasonography (US) is the most commonly used radiological method in the diagnosis of gallbladder polyps (GBPs). Patients diagnosed with GBPs on US are operated on with risk factors that do not have a high level of evidence. Our aim in this study is to determine the sensitivity of US in diagnosis GBPs, to define risk factors for neoplastic (NP) polyps, and to develop the risk scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2011 and July 2021, 173 patients who were found to have GBPs in the pathology specimens after cholecystectomy were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: nonneoplastic and NP groups. RESULTS: GBPs in patients who underwent abdominal US for any reason was 4.5%. The sensitivity of US in the diagnosis of GBPs was 56.6%. Comparison between groups, age ≥50, presence of symptoms, polyp size >12.5mm, single polyp, concomitant gallstones, and gallbladder wall thickness ≥4mm were statistically in the NP group. A risk scoring system was developed using these values. If the risk score was <4, 0.6% of GBPs was NP polyps. If the risk score was ≥4, 63.2% of GBPs were NP polyps. CONCLUSION: Our risk scoring system can prevent unnecessary choelcystectomy. Because the incidence of NP polyps in low-risk patients (risk score <4) is extremely rare.

Comparison of Single-Dermatome Laparoscopic Appendectomy With Standard Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Terms of Postoperative Pain and Patient Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), used since 1980, is a common surgical technique for acute appendicitis (AA) treatment. Laparoscopic surgical techniques can achieve higher patient satisfaction than conventional open surgery techniques. However, many patients complain of severe pain after laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. In this study, we compared single-dermatome laparoscopic appendectomy (SDLA), wherein all trocars were placed at the same dermatome field, with standard laparoscopic appendectomy (SLA), wherein trocars were placed at multiple dermatome sites, in terms of postoperative pain and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients who underwent LA for AA between May 2019 and December 2019 were included in the study and randomized into 2 groups, wherein patients were included sequentially. The first group was operated with SLA surgery, whereas the second group was operated with SDLA surgery. All patients were assessed in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) scores, hemodynamic parameters, and patient satisfaction at postoperative 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. RESULTS: In the SLA technique, VAS values at postoperative 1, 2, and 4 hours were significantly higher than in the SDLA ( P =0.009; P <0.05). No significant difference was observed between the surgical techniques in terms of VAS levels at postoperative 6, 12, and 24 hours ( P >0.05). In the SDLA group, patient satisfaction was significantly higher than in the SLA group ( P =0.024; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, SDLA caused less pain in AA cases during postoperative period than SLA. Further, the SDLA method achieved higher patient satisfaction during the postoperative period than the SLA method.

Management of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: Inpatient or Outpatient.

Objectives: Diverticular disease is a highly frequent condition and affects 50% of the population in the 9th decade in Western society. Acute diverticulitis is the most prevalent complication. The patients who are clinically stable and tolerate fluid should be hospitalized if fluid intake tolerance worsens, fever occurs, or pain increases. Bowel rest, intravenous fluid therapy, and empiric antibiotic therapy are the traditional treatments for patients admitted to the hospital. This retrospective study aimed to determine the parameters that will affect the outpatient or inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2018 and December 2020 and were diagnosed with uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a) on computed tomography (CT) taken after intravenous contrast material shoot up were included in the study. Patient records were recorded retrospectively in the Excel file. After being seen in the emergency department, a comparison was performed between the inpatient group (Group 1) and the outpatient follow-up group (Group 2). Results: The study comprised 172 patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a). While 110 (64.0%) patients were followed up and treated as inpatients (Group 1), 62 (36.0%) patients were followed up as outpatients (Group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients readmitted to the hospital in the first 30 days after discharge (both for outpatient follow-up in the emergency department and after treatment in the inpatient group). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated the hospitalization criteria in uncomplicated Modified Hinchey 1a patients, it was found that patients can be safely treated as an outpatient if they have poor physical examination findings. Although there was no difference between the two groups in terms of hospital readmission after discharge and it was thought that follow-up of patients with Modified Hinchey 1a diverticulitis with outpatient oral antibiotic therapy might be reliable, prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are needed.

A comparison of patients who have appendectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic period with the period before the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the waiting and operating times of the patients who applied to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) during the pandemic, how the process was managed in terms of AA and other data of the patient compared to the pre-pandemic period. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed among patients who were hospitalized in the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital General Surgery Clinic with a pre-diagnosis of AA. For this purpose, two groups were formed. Group 1: It comprised patients who were operated between March 11 and June 1, 2020; Group 2: It comprised patients who were operated between March 11 and June 1, 2019, with a pre-diagnosis of AA. RESULTS: Forty-six patients in Group 1 and 79 patients in Group 2 were operated with the pre-diagnosis of AA. There was no difference between groups in terms of pre-operative symptom durations or surgery waiting times. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant decrease observed in the number of patients operated because of AA can be interpreted as the avoidance of patients from applying to the hospital with the concern of infection. Moreover, it may suggest that uncomplicated cases undergo spontaneous resolution; however, there is a requirement for further research to support this assumption and define the criteria for this condition by including a level of scientific evidence.

Effective use of CT by surgeons in acute appendicitis diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) still maintains its prominence among general surgical emergencies, and the risk of developing AA is 8.6% for men and 6.7% for women. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis has a rate of approximately 20% false positive and false-negative. Ultrasound (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) are the imaging methods most utilized in this field. The present study aims to determine the relationship between the evaluation results of the clinician who examined the patient and the radiologist's evaluation in the evaluation of cross-sectional imaging tests for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: In this study, the records of 1891 patients who underwent an appendectomy in the General Surgery Clinic of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. From the file of the patients who underwent appendectomy with acute appendicitis and whose appendix was reported as normal in CT results, clinical examination findings of the patient in the emergency department and CT evaluation results of the relevant surgeon (Compatible with acute appendicitis, normal appendix or appendix could not be visualised) were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 1891 patients, who underwent appendectomy on suspicion of acute appendicitis, 1478 had CT scans for diagnosis and 145 were reported as normal by radiologists. In the evaluations by surgeons of these CT results all reported as normal by radiologists, 105 (%) 72,4) were compatible with acute appendicitis, while 18 (12.4%) were considered normal. In 22 (15.2%) patients, appendix could not be the visualized by surgeons. 70.0% of the cases with Lymphoid hyperplasia - fibrous obliteration pathology result; 73.8% of the cases with acute appendicitis; 75.6% of those with phlegmonousappendicitis and 64.0% of those with gangrenous/perforated appendicitis were diagnosed as appendicitis by CT evaluation performed by a general surgeon. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic accuracy rates increase significantly when the CT results are interpreted by the physician performing the clinical evaluation of the patient. The chance of reaching the correct diagnosis will increase with gaining the ability to interpret abdominal cross-sectional imaging techniques during general surgery specialty training.

Comparison of the Pretzelflex Retractor and Nathanson Retractor in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery.

PURPOSE: Retraction of the left lobe of the liver is an important step in most bariatric surgical procedures. The left lobe of the liver may be enlarged, and laceration, hematoma, or necrosis may develop in the liver due to retraction. In this study, the results of use of the Nathanson retractor (NR) and PretzelFlex retractor (PFR) in the patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent LSG were divided into three groups based on the type of liver retraction device used. Group 1: NR was used fixed during the operation; Group 2: PF retractor was used; Group 3: NR were used only for fundus dissection and when necessary. All groups were evaluated in terms of demographic characteristics, liver function tests, and developing complications. RESULTS: The study was conducted with a total of 120 consecutive patients. Operation time in the second group was found to be significantly lower than the other two groups (p = 0.009; p = 0.001; p < 0.01). The duration of retractor use in the first group was significantly higher than the other two groups (p = 0.001; p = 0.001; p < 0.01). While aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values were found to be high in Group 1, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were found to be high in Groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSION: PFR has shorter operating and retraction times. It causes less measurable liver damage. Although the NR will be used, intermittent use causes less damage to the liver as in PFR.

Effectiveness of local anesthetic application methods in postoperative pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomies; a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that causes pain originating from parietal and visceral peritoneum. Many studies have been conducted to improve postoperative pain management and comfort of patients. Various methods such as local anesthetic injection (LAI) at trocar access points, intraperitoneal local anesthetic injection (IPLA), pneumoperitoneum pressure reduction, transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB), and reducing the number of trocars used during the operation were attempted to reduce postoperative pain. METHODS: In this study, we compared LAI, TAPB and IPLA methods with the control group in which no local anesthetic was applied to reduce postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We also demonstrated the effect of these methods on postoperative pain, need for additional analgesics, length of hospitalization, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 160 patients aged 18-74 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis between October 2018 and August 2019 were included in the study and divided into four groups as follows: LAI group, TAPB group, IPLA group, and the control group without any intervention. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the control group were significantly higher than in the LAI, TAPB, and IPLA groups. Further, VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h in the IPLA group were significantly higher than in the LAI and TAPB groups. No significant difference was observed between the LAI and TAPB groups in terms of VAS values at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h. VAS values at 12 h in the LAI group were significantly higher than in the TAPB group. CONCLUSIONS: Peroperative local anesthetic administration methods were more effective in preventing pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to the control group. In addition to reducing postoperative pain, these methods reduced the need for postoperative analgesics and increased patient satisfaction.

The Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on Gastric Wall Thickness in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: The most important cause affecting the thickness of the gastric wall other than the tumor is chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (Hp), which is most frequently detected in the antrum. This study aims to investigate the effect of bismuth-based treatment (BBT) combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on wall thicknesses measured in the postoperative gastric specimen and early postoperative complications in patients with Hp-positive pre-LSG endoscopic gastric biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent LSG procedure for morbid obesity were divided into three groups as follows: Hp-negative, Hp-positive without eradication treatment, and Hp-positive, and LSG was performed after eradication treatment. Macroscopic and microscopic gastric wall thickness measurements were made at a distance of 1 cm from the proximal surgical margin, from the middle part of the specimen, and 1 cm from the distal surgical margin in the gastric specimen and the results were compared. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in the study, 44 patients in each group. Microscopically measured antrum mucosal thickness was found to be statistically significantly higher in group 2 compared to other groups (groups 1.15, 1.35, 1.16 mm, respectively, p = 0.000). There was no difference between the groups in terms of early complications such as bleeding, wound site infection, or leakage from the staple line within the first 28 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: This study found that LSG had no effect on early complications due to Hp positivity or eradication of Hp. KEY POINTS: • The presence of HP increases the wall thickness of the gastric antrum mucosa. • After HP eradication, stomach antrum wall thickness returns to normal. • HP eradication before LSG reduces the wall thickness of the gastric antrum mucosa. • It was determined that HP scanning and eradication before LSG had no effect on postoperative complications.

Fallopian tube herniation from trocar-site after laparoscopic appendectomy.

Trocar site hernias are a type of incisional hernias and may occur within a variable time shift after surgery. A mean incidence of 1.85% was reported, and the first trocar site hernia was narrated by Maio et al. in 1991 describing small bowel obstruction due to trocar site herniation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The 10-mm-trocar port is more frequently problematic, and a trocar site hernia in 5 mm port is very rare. This report unveils a 5mm trocar site herniation of right fallopian tube following laparoscopic appendectomy. In this case study, a 19-year-old female patient applied to the emergency department because of a discharge in the right lower quadrant was reported. She explained that she had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy two days before and discharged the next day uneventfully. The surgical report described a suction drain in the right lower quadrant where the patient was suffering from the discharge. The physical examination revealed no tenderness, but an abdominal CT disclosed an edematous tubular structure herniating from the 5 mm trocar site where the drain was put. She was re-operated laparoscopically due to early trocar site hernia, and the right fallopian tube was observed herniating through the defect. After the reduction into the abdomen, the fallopian tube was observed fine, and the defect was closed using 2/0 polypropylene suture. Trocar site hernias are rare but may cause serious complications after laparoscopic surgery. They may occur early after the surgery, but the time shift is variable. Although mechanical bowel obstructions are more frequent endpoint, it should be remembered that any organ within the abdominal cavity may herniate.