The Role of Bariatric Surgery on Diabetes and Diabetic Care Compliance.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bariatric surgery is a durable and long-term solution to treat both obesity and its associated comorbidities, specifically type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of bariatric surgery on T2DM, but weight recidivism along with recurrence of comorbidities can be seen following these procedures. Patient compliance post-bariatric surgery is linked to weight loss outcomes and comorbidity improvement/resolution. The role of compliance with respect to T2DM medication in bariatric patients specifically has not recently been examined. This article seeks to review the role of bariatric surgery on short- and long-term resolution of T2DM, recurrence, and compliance with T2DM medication following bariatric surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Seven randomized control trials have examined metabolic surgery versus medical therapy in glycemic control in patients meeting criteria for severe obesity. Six out of seven studies demonstrate a significant advantage in the surgical arms with regards to glycemic control, as well as secondary endpoints such as weight loss, serum lipid levels, blood pressure, renal function, and other parameters. While patient compliance with lifestyle modifications post-bariatric surgery is linked to weight loss outcomes, there are no studies to date that directly evaluate the role of lifestyle modifications and T2DM medication adherence in the management of T2DM post-bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option to achieve long-term weight loss and resolution of obesity-related medical comorbidities, specifically T2DM. Patient compliance to lifestyle modifications post-bariatric surgery is linked to weight loss outcomes and comorbidity resolution. The role of diabetic care compliance in bariatric patient outcomes, however, is poorly understood. Further studies are needed to elucidate the predictors and associated risk factors for non-compliance in this patient population.

Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy for superior mesenteric artery syndrome: intermediate follow-up results and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare condition caused by partial obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA anteriorly and aorta posteriorly. Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy has been described as a safe and feasible surgical intervention with favorable short-term outcomes. However, descriptions of intermediate outcomes are lacking in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent minimally invasive duodenojejunostomy from March 2005 to August 2015 at our healthcare system with greater than 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with mean age of 31.2 were identified. There were 4 men and 14 women. Patients' diagnosis was made by clinical presentation with radiographic confirmation. Mean weight loss preoperatively was 13.9 kg, representing 24.1 % total body weight loss. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, 2 patients developed prolonged ileus. One underwent exploratory laparotomy and washout for presumed leak, but none was identified. Three patients were readmitted within 30 days; 2 for intolerance to enteral intake with dehydration, and 1 for closed-loop obstruction requiring laparoscopic lysis of adhesions. The average and median length of follow-up were 27.7 and 26.0 months, respectively. Patients gained an average of 2.2 kg with an increase in body mass index of from 19.6 to 20.4 m/kg2. Although 14 of 18 patients reported initial symptom improvement, at latest follow-up, only 6 patients reported symptomatic improvement or resolution. Three were diagnosed with global dysmotility, and 1 underwent intestinal transplant. Two were diagnosed with gastroparesis, and 1 underwent a laparoscopic gastric electric stimulator placement and pyloroplasty. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION: Duodenojejunostomy is the most common surgical intervention in management of SMAS. Our intermediate follow-up reveals infrequent improvement and rare resolution of preoperative symptomatology. Patients had a modest average weight gain postoperatively. This may suggest that different preoperative workup and treatment is indicated.

Hybrid laparoscopic-robotic management of type IVa choledochal cyst in the setting of prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: video case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Choledochal cysts are rare congenital disease of the biliary system. The recommended treatment of these lesions is surgical excision with biliary enteric reconstruction. In patients with normal anatomy, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is preferred. However, different options in biliary reconstruction must be entertained in those with abnormal anatomy. METHODS: Our patient is a 39-year-old female, who during workup for bariatric surgery two years prior to presentation, was found to have a 6 cm dilation of her common bile duct. She underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in 2011 at an outside facility, with no planned intervention on her biliary tree. Ultimately, she developed right upper quadrant pain two years following her RYGB. Upon further workup including right upper quadrant ultrasound, an extrahepatic choledochal cyst was confirmed and she was referred to our institution for definitive care. RESULTS: The patient was taken to the operating room for resection of the choledochal cyst with hepatoenteric reconstruction. The dissection and resection of the cyst commenced laparoscopically. After performing a generous Kocher maneuver, we demonstrated that there was adequate mobilization of the duodenum to perform a tension free hepaticoduodenostomy, which was performed robotically. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged home on postoperative day 3. At one month follow up, the patient was doing well with symptom resolution. Her final pathology revealed a choledochal cyst which was negative for dysplasia or carcinoma. Long-term follow up has been recommended with yearly alkaline phosphatase levels. CONCLUSIONS: Here we present a video of the technical considerations during a robot-assisted laparoscopic biliary reconstruction in a patient with a prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a type IVA choledochal cyst.

Bariatric Surgery and the Long-Term Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is associated with a greater venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in the weeks following surgery, but the long-term risk of VTE is incompletely characterized. We evaluated bariatric surgery in relation to long-term VTE risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based retrospective matched cohort study within three United States-based integrated health care systems included adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2 who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2005 and September 2015 (n = 30,171), matched to nonsurgical patients on site, age, sex, BMI, diabetes, insulin use, race/ethnicity, comorbidity score, and health care utilization (n = 218,961). Follow-up for incident VTE ended September 2015 (median 9.3, max 10.7 years). RESULTS: Our population included 30,171 bariatric surgery patients and 218,961 controls; we identified 4068 VTE events. At 30 days post-index date, bariatric surgery was associated with a fivefold greater VTE risk (HRadj = 5.01; 95% CI = 4.14, 6.05) and a nearly fourfold greater PE risk (HRadj = 3.93; 95% CI = 2.87, 5.38) than no bariatric surgery. At 1 year post-index date, bariatric surgery was associated with a 48% lower VTE risk and a 70% lower PE risk (HRadj = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.41, 0.66 and HRadj = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.44, respectively). At 5 years post-index date, lower VTE risks persisted, with bariatric surgery associated with a 41% lower VTE risk and a 55% lower PE risk (HRadj = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.48, 0.73 and HRadj = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.32, 0.64, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although in the short-term bariatric surgery is associated with a greater VTE risk, in the long-term, it is associated with a substantially lower risk.

Identification of potential mediators of retinotopic mapping: a comparative proteomic analysis of optic nerve from WT and Phr1 retinal knockout mice.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) transmit visual information topographically from the eye to the brain, creating a map of visual space in retino-recipient nuclei (retinotopy). This process is affected by retinal activity and by activity-independent molecular cues. Phr1, which encodes a presumed E3 ubiquitin ligase (PHR1), is required presynaptically for proper placement of RGC axons in the lateral geniculate nucleus and the superior colliculus, suggesting that increased levels of PHR1 target proteins may be instructive for retinotopic mapping of retinofugal projections. To identify potential target proteins, we conducted a proteomic analysis of optic nerve to identify differentially abundant proteins in the presence or absence of Phr1 in RGCs. 1D gel electrophoresis identified a specific band in controls that was absent in mutants. Targeted proteomic analysis of this band demonstrated the presence of PHR1. Additionally, we conducted an unbiased proteomic analysis that identified 30 proteins as being significantly different between the two genotypes. One of these, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNP-M), regulates antero-posterior patterning in invertebrates and can function as a cell surface adhesion receptor in vertebrates. Thus, we have demonstrated that network analysis of quantitative proteomic data is a useful approach for hypothesis generation and for identifying biologically relevant targets in genetically altered biological models.

History of Minimally Invasive Surgical Oncology.

Introduction of the fiberoptic light-source and CCD chip camera resulted in the rapid growth of minimally invasive surgical procedures. In surgical oncology, the change came slowly owing to concerns about adhering to oncological principals while learning to use new technology. Pioneers in minimally invasive colorectal surgery proved that minimally invasive resection for cancer was oncologically noninferior to traditional surgery. Early adopters treating esophageal and gastric cancer established that a minimally invasive approach was feasible with lower morbidity and equivalent oncologic outcomes. These results provide a basis for the extension of minimally invasive surgical techniques to other types of cancer surgery.

Patients with clinically metabolically healthy obesity are not necessarily healthy subclinically: further support for bariatric surgery in patients without metabolic disease?

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is also strongly correlated with extrahepatic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk of NAFLD among obese individuals who are otherwise metabolically healthy is not well characterized. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of NAFLD in individuals with metabolically healthy obesity. SETTING: A tertiary, academic, referral hospital. METHODS: All patients who underwent bariatric surgery with intraoperative liver biopsy from 2008 to 2015 were identified. Patients with preoperative hypertension, dyslipidemia, or prediabetes/diabetes were excluded to identify a cohort of metabolically healthy obesity patients. Liver biopsy reports were reviewed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients (7.0% of the total bariatric surgery patients) met the strict inclusion criteria for metabolically healthy obesity. The average age was 38 ± 10 years and the average body mass index was 47 ± 7 kg/m2. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (>45 U/L) and asparate aminotransferase levels (>40 U/L) were observed in 28 (10.4%) and 18 (6.7%) patients, respectively. A total of 96 (35.5%) patients had NAFLD with NALFD Activity Scores 0 to 2 (n = 61), 3 to 4 (n = 25), and 5 to 8 (n = 10). A total of 62 (23%) patients had lobular inflammation, 23 (8.5%) had hepatocyte ballooning, 22 (8.2%) had steatohepatitis, and 12 (4.4%) had liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Even with the use of strict criteria to eliminate all patients with any metabolic problems, a significant proportion of metabolically healthy patients had unsuspected NAFLD. The need and clinical utility of routine screening of obese patients for fatty liver disease and the role of bariatric surgery in the management of NAFLD warrants further investigation.

Medical Devices in the Treatment of Obesity.

Obesity continues to be a growing epidemic worldwide. Although bariatric surgery remains the most effective and durable treatment of obesity and its comorbidities, there is a need for less invasive yet efficacious weight loss therapies. Currently the Food and Drug Administration has approved two endoscopically placed intragastric balloon devices and a surgically placed vagal blockade device. Another device that holds promise, particularly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is the endoscopically placed duodenojejunal bypass sleeve. This article reviews the indications and current data regarding results for these devices.

Minilaparoscopy with Interchangeable, Full 5-mm End Effectors: First Human Use of a New Minimally Invasive Operating Platform.

BACKGROUND: The most common paradigm in minimally invasive surgery is entry of a single trocar through separate incisions in the abdomen. However, in an effort to decrease postoperative pain and minimize scarring, alternative techniques have been described. Needlescopic surgery uses instruments that are 3 mm or less in diameter. Prior uses of needlescopic instruments have been hindered somewhat by diminished shaft strength and small end-effector size. The Percuvance™ (Teleflex, Wayne, PA) system uses a 2.9-mm shaft with interchangeable 5-mm end effectors in order to minimize abdominal wall trauma while maintaining the functionality of traditional laparoscopic instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients evaluated for laparoscopic surgery by two surgeons with a foregut and general surgery practice at the Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH) were included in the study. Fifteen consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Patient demographics and operative results were reviewed. RESULTS: In March 2015, 15 patients underwent surgery using the Percuvance surgical system at the Cleveland Clinic. There was one conversion to open surgery due to extensive intraabdominal adhesions and unclear anatomy. There was one re-exploration for presumed anastomotic leak, which was negative. Operative time and length of hospital stay were similar to those of standard laparoscopic procedures. There were no deaths in this series. Subjective surgeon experience was overall positive, and functionality of the Percuvance system seemed equal to that of standard 5-mm laparoscopic instrumentation. CONCLUSIONS: This initial experience with the Percuvance system demonstrated effective exchange of 5-mm port sites for needlescopic instruments with similar handling to traditional laparoscopic instruments. This interchangeable system may allow performance similar to standard laparoscopic port instrument orientation and principles in the setting of decreased-caliber access.

Gastrointestinal devices for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) continue to be growing epidemics worldwide. Although bariatric surgery remains the most effective and durable treatment for both of these chronic diseases, there is a need for therapies with risk and benefit profiles between medication and standard surgical procedures. Currently there are several endoscopic and minimally invasive therapies available worldwide to treat T2D. OBJECTIVE: To review the current evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of medical devices to treat T2D. SETTING: Academic practice, international METHODS: The published literature was searched for articles evaluating the safety and efficacy of endoluminal and surgical devices used for the treatment of obesity and T2D. RESULTS: The current devices in use include intragastric balloons, a duodenal-jejunal liner, gastric content aspiration, and devices that provide neuromodulation to the stomach or vagal nerves. On early phases of first-in-human studies is the duodenal mucosal resurfacing. The current evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of temporary use (6 months) for the intragastric balloon for lower body mass index (BMI) patients is strong and there is growing evidence regarding the effects of the other devices to treat T2D. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for novel therapies to bridge the risk and benefit gap between medical and surgical treatment of T2D. The original indication for many of the current devices was treatment of obesity. Several devices that are currently available are promising but require more study in T2D patient populations.

Endoscopic stents in the management of anastomotic complications after foregut surgery: new applications and techniques.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic complications after foregut surgery include leaks, fistulas, and late strictures. The management of these complications can be challenging, and it may be desirable to avoid complex reoperation. OBJECTIVES: We aim to describe the indications and outcomes of the use of esophageal self-expanding metal stents in the management of postoperative anastomotic complications after foregut surgery. SETTING: Tertiary-referral academic medical center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively managed database. Data was collected on patient demographic characteristics, work-up, intraprocedure findings, and outcomes. RESULTS: From October of 2009 to November of 2014, 47 patients (mean age 51.1, 36 women and 11 men) underwent endoscopic stent placement for anastomotic complications following upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery. The median time from index operation to endoscopic stent placement was 52 days (range 1-5280 days). Indications were sleeve leak or stenosis, gastrojejunal leak or stenosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), pouch staple-line leak after RYGB, enterocutaneous fistula, perforation after endoscopic dilation, upper gastrointestinal bleeding after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), and peptic stricture after POEM. Symptomatic improvement occurred in 76.6% of patients, and early oral intake was initiated in 66% of patients. 14 patients (29.8%) went on to require definitive surgical intervention for persistent symptomatology. The average follow-up was 354.1 days (range 25-1912 days). CONCLUSION: This paper describes the use of endoscopic stent therapy for a variety of pathologies after upper gastrointestinal surgery. We demonstrate that, in the appropriate setting, it is an effective and less-invasive therapeutic approach.

Predictive factors of biliary complications after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and rapid weight loss are risk factors for gallstone development. Bariatric surgery and significant postoperative weight loss are associated with postoperative biliary complications. OBJECTIVE: We aim to identify predictive factors of biliary complications after bariatric surgery. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, charts at a single institution were reviewed to identify patients with biliary complications after bariatric surgery from 2005 to 2012. Data collected included baseline patients demographic characteristics, perioperative parameters, and postoperative biliary complications. Parameters were analyzed using paired and unpaired Student t test for continuous variables and χ2 test for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for complications after bariatric surgery. All tests were 2 tailed; results with P<.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight (3.6%) of 3765 patients who underwent bariatric surgery developed postoperative biliary complications. Mean time from surgery to biliary complication was 1.8±1.4 years. Complications included acute cholecystitis (18.1%), chronic cholecystitis (70.2%), acute pancreatitis (9.4%), choledocholithiasis (5.7%), and jaundice (2.8%). Interventions were laparoscopic (n = 134, 97.0%) and open (n = 1, .7%) cholecystectomy. Forty patients (28.9%) had known cholelithiasis before surgery. There were no mortalities. Univariate analysis identified female gender, age>50, cholelithiasis at time of bariatric procedure, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass independent of excess weight loss as predictive factors of biliary complications. Multivariate analysis confirmed advanced age as an independent predictive factor. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that patients of advanced age are at higher risk of biliary complications. However, the indications for prophylactic cholecystectomy at time of bariatric surgery remain unclear.

Endoscopic management of post-bariatric surgery complications.

Understanding the technical constructs of bariatric surgery is important to the treating endoscopist to maximize effective endoluminal therapy. Post-operative complication rates vary widely based on the complication of interest, and have been reported to be as high as 68% following adjustable gastric banding. Similarly, there is a wide range of presenting symptoms for post-operative bariatric complications, including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and weight regain, all of which may provoke an endoscopic assessment. Bleeding and anastomotic leak are considered to be early (< 30 d) complications, whereas strictures, marginal ulcers, band erosions, and weight loss failure or weight recidivism are typically considered late (> 30 d) complications. Treatment of complications in the immediate post-operative period may require unique considerations. Endoluminal therapies serve as adjuncts to surgical and radiographic procedures. This review aims to summarize the spectrum and efficacy of endoscopic management of post-operative bariatric complications.

Resorptive hypercalcemia in post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis: treatment with denosumab.

CONTEXT: Hypercalcemia associated with myelofibrosis is rare, and its pathogenesis and treatment are not known. OBJECTIVE: We report a unique case of hypercalcemia associated with post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis and review the clinical and laboratory features, pathogenesis, and responsiveness to treatment with the bone antiresorptive agent, denosumab. RESULTS: A 62-yr-old woman with essential thrombocythemia presented with progression to myelofibrosis with lytic skull lesions and symptomatic hypercalcemia. Other causes of hypercalcemia were excluded. Her disturbance in calcium homeostasis was not PTH- or vitamin D-mediated, although this has been postulated in cases of hypercalcemia with the related entity of primary myelofibrosis. Her hypercalcemia was refractory to aggressive iv saline administration, furosemide, calcitonin, and pamidronate, but promptly improved after one 120-mg sc dose of the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) ligand monoclonal antibody, denosumab, with sustained normocalcemia for approximately 2 months. She died 6 months later from complications due to the leukemic transformation of her hematological disease. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of myelofibrosis-related hypercalcemia could be due to multiple factors, particularly changes in the RANK ligand-RANK-osteoprotegerin system that lead to increased osteoclast activity. Although we did not measure these factors, denosumab holds promise in the treatment of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia and specifically that related to myelofibrosis. Hypercalcemia associated with myelofibrosis is rare, and its pathogenesis and treatment are not known.