The Effect of Antrum Size on Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Levels, and Glycemic Control Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of antral resection versus antral preservation sleeve gastrectomy on the post-operative GLP-1, glycemic control, and weight loss in adolescents suffering from severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 36 adolescents. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group (A) and group (B). Each group included 18 patients who underwent LSG, starting transection at 2 cm or 5 cm from the pyloric ring in group (A) and group (B), respectively. They were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. The outcomes were the post-operative GLP-1 response, glycemic control, weight loss, and safety. RESULTS: The improvements in the body mass index and the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were statistically significant within each group. The mean GLP-1 levels showed significant increase at the 1, 3, and 6 months but not in the 12 and 24 months in all the studied samples within each group. The mean HbA1c levels and post-prandial serum C-peptide significantly improved within each group (P < 0.05). No statistical differences in the weight loss, %EWL, GLP-1, HbA1c, C-peptide changes, and complication rates were observed between both groups. Diabetic remission was significantly higher (88.9%) in group (A). CONCLUSIONS: LSG resulted in generalized significant GLP-1 initial response that decreased over time. The reduced antrum size did not influence the GLP-1 response, glycemic control, or insulin resistance, but resulted in significantly better T2D remission. Since the study examines a small number of patients, further studies are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04388059.

Laparoscopic Interrupted Muscular Arch Repair in Recurrent Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Among Children.

PURPOSE: We present a procedure of suturing the transversus abdominis muscular arch to the ileopubic tract laparoscopically in order to repair recurrent unilateral pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five children with recurrent unilateral PIH were treated during a 5-year period in a tertiary academic center. All cases were subjected to laparoscopic hernia repair and discharged the next morning. Sutures were placed from the muscular arch to the ileopubic tract, avoiding the spermatic vessels and duct, in an interrupted manner using 2/0-3/0 polypropylene (Prolene®; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) or polyglactin 910 (Vicryl®; Ethicon) sutures. In 4 cases, a rectangular purse-string-like suture was added to narrow the internal ring defect. Operative findings and postoperative results and complications were assessed. The patients were followed up for a period that ranged between 6 and 60 months. RESULTS: There were 23 boys and 2 girls. Operative age ranged between 18 months and 15 years. Three or four sutures were placed in each case. In 4 cases, an additional rectangular purse-string-like suture was added. Operative time ranged between 35 and 70 minutes, and there was no conversion. Mild scrotal edema was reported in 4 cases and port-site infection in 2 cases; all cases were treated conservatively. One case of recurrence among boys was reported, but there was no case of testicular atrophy. Cosmetic outcomes were excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic interrupted muscular arch repair is a feasible and safe technique in the reconstruction of the inguinal canal in recurrent unilateral PIH. Larger studies and long-term follow-up are needed to support our encouraging results.