Remnant Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass: A Systematic Review of Indications and Outcomes of Resectional Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the reasons and outcomes behind remnant gastrectomy with or after gastric bypass procedures. RESULTS: A total of 66 studies examining 1918 patients were included in this study with 70% of female predominance. Twenty studies reported RGB on 1751 patients and 46 studies reported remnant gastrectomy after gastric bypass in 167 patients. The most common etiology of RGB was related to the in situ remnant stomach neoplasia in 10 studies on 981 patients; mostly for preventive intentions in high prevalence areas. Remnant gastrectomy after gastric bypass was performed to treat a complication such as GGF, retrograde bile reflux gastritis, cancer mostly adenocarcinoma. Studies revealed that RGB has similar weight loss in comparison to standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Conversion of one anastomosis gastric bypass to distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass due to recurrent weight gain and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A video case report.

One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) complications include inadequate weight loss, recurrent weight gain (RWG), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Conversion to distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (D-RYGB) may be an effective conversional approach. A 38-year-old female underwent OAGB with a body mass index (BMI) of 53 kg/m2 and 43% initial total weight loss but had RWG to BMI of 44 kg/m2 over 5 years with refractory GERD symptoms. She underwent D-RYGB conversion, creating a 330 cm biliopancreatic limb, 75 cm Roux limb, and 400 cm total alimentary limb length to decrease the chance of malnutrition. At 2 weeks, GERD symptoms were resolved completely. By 12 months, 42% total weight loss was achieved with normal nutritional parameters. For RWG and refractory GERD after OAGB, conversion to D-RYGB can promote weight loss and GERD symptom control while preventing nutritional deficiencies.

A Case of Accidentally Found Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in a 57-Year-Old Candidate of Gastric Bypass Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: GIST tumors are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the alimentary tract but are rather rare compared to other GI tract tumors and are usually found incidentally. Studies about cases of GIST tumor in bariatric surgery are scarce and there is no specific guideline for treatment. Most of previous cases were managed by sleeve gastrectomy due to their location which were usually in the body and greater curvature. METHODS: This patient had a GIST on lesser curvature and therefore underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass. The follow-up was done with imaging studies and CT scan since the location of the tumor was no longer accessible to endoscopy after the gastric bypass. RESULTS: The post-operative course was uneventful and after 2 years the patient is still in good health and had no other complications. The patient has been followed up by imaging studies. DISCUSSION: There are pros and cons to this compared with sleeve gastrectomy. The most important advantage for this approach is that we have the stomach preserved; thus, our operation has the reversibility potential in case of any complication which requires revision operations. However, on the flip side, the limitation of such intervention is that we are not able to use the EGD to monitor and follow up our patient. Based on the relevant literature, for following up and monitoring the postoperative condition of these patients with relatively small GISTs, imaging studies specially abdominal computed tomography scan (CT scan) would be highly beneficial. It is also worth of mentioning that performing a EGD before a bariatric surgery, which is well noted in IFSO position statements and is well explained and discussed in other literature, had a major role in diagnosing this patient's GIST tumor and is proved to be beneficial and essential, once again.

Revision procedures after initial Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, treatment of weight regain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Morbid obesity is a global chronic disease, and bariatric procedures have been approved as the best method to control obesity. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most common bariatric surgeries in the world and has become the gold standard procedure for many years. However, some patients experience weight regain or weight loss failure after the initial bypass surgery and require revisional or conversional interventions. International databases including PubMed, International Scientific Indexing (ISI), and Scopus were considered for a systematic search of articles that were published by 5th of May 2020. Forty-one published studies, which reported revision procedure on 1403 patients, were selected and analyzed for this review. The selected studies were categorized into six groups of revision procedures, including laparoscopic pouch resizing and/or revision of gastro-jejunal anastomosis (GJA), adjustable or non-adjustable gastric band over pouch ± pouch/GJA resizing, endoscopic revision of gastric GJA ± pouch, distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (DRGB), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) or single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with gastric sleeve (SADI-S), DRGB + Band or pouch/GJA resizing. Revision procedures result in more weight loss after the initial weight loss procedures. In the one-year follow-up, DRGB by itself with standardized mean difference (SMD) of - 1.24 presented a greater decrease in body mass index (BMI). DRGB plus band or pouch/GJA resizing, BPD-DS or SADI, adjustable or non-adjustable gastric banding over pouch ± pouch/GJA resizing, endoscopic pouch and/or GJA revision and laparoscopic pouch or/and GJA resizing revealed a lower decrease in BMI in order, respectively. In the three-year follow-up, BPD-DS or SADI-S method with SMD of - 1.40 presented the highest decrease in BMI. In follow, DRGB alone, adjustable or non-adjustable gastric banding over gastric pouch ± pouch / GJA resizing, DRGB + Band or gastric pouch/GJA resizing, laparoscopic pouch and/or GJA resizing and endoscopic revision of pouch and/or GJA revealed less reduction in BMI, respectively. In the five-year follow-up, DRGB alone procedures with SMD of - 2.17 presented the greatest reduction in BMI. Subsequently, BPD-DS or SADI-S, laparoscopic pouch and/or GJA size revision, and endoscopic revision of GJA/pouch revealed less overall decrease in BMI in order. All methods of revision procedures after the initial RYGB have been effective in the resolution of weight regain. However, based on the findings in this systematic review, it seems DRGB or BPD-DS/SADI-S is the most effective procedure in the long-term follow-up outcome. More studies with a higher number of patients and even longer follow-ups will be required to obtain more accurate data and outcome.

The Early Results of the Laparoscopic Mini-Gastric Bypass/One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass on Patients with Different Body Mass Index.

Introduction. Obesity is among the newest health matters that human beings are struggling with. Length of bypassed intestine is important in achievement of most weight loss and least nutritional and absorptive disorders. This study has aimed to assess short-term metabolic and nutritional effects of laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass/one anastomosis gastric bypass (MGB/OAGB) with a loop bypass length of 180 centimeters (cm) and compare these factors among patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40-45 and 45-50 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2). Methods: 25 patients were put in group 1 (BMI = 40-45 kg/m2) and 25 patients in group 2 (BMI = 45-50 kg/m2). Patients' BMI, postoperative weight, excess weight loss, and laboratory tests including fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, serum iron (Fe), ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), 25-OH vitamin D, vitamin B12, liver function tests, and albumin were recorded preoperatively and within 3- and 6-month follow-up. Results: Weight loss and BMI reduction was significantly more in patients with higher BMI level (P=0.007), and excess weight loss was higher in patients with lower preoperative BMI level (P=0.007), and excess weight loss was higher in patients with lower preoperative BMI level (P=0.007), and excess weight loss was higher in patients with lower preoperative BMI level (. Conclusion: Based on this study, 180-cm intestinal bypassed length works for patients with a BMI level of 40-45 and 45-50 kg/m2, according to their significant decrease in weight, BMI, and improving glycolipid profile.

Minimally invasive technique for gastrostomy tube insertion: A novel laparoscopic approach.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common way of inserting a gastrostomy tube. If PEG is not appropriate for a patient, then the laparoscopic or open technique should be used. Here, we introduce a new laparoscopic technique for inserting a gastrostomy tube. MATERIAL AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We used this new laparoscopic approach in 21 patients for whom PEG was not suitable. After marking on the abdominal skin and inserting the trocars, two 2-0 silk sutures were passed. Two stitches were placed 2 cm apart in the stomach with one hand. Each suture was pulled out with the fascia closure, the stomach was pulled out with a Babcock, and a purse-string suture using a round 2-0 silk suture was placed outside the stomach, creating a mushroom-retained gastrostomy. CONCLUSION: This new laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive. It provides full control through only two trocars and required smaller incisions than common laparoscopic approaches. This method can be used to insert a gastrostomy tube in indicated patients when PEG placement is not suitable.

Severe obesity and vitamin D deficiency treatment options before bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, which has various complications and co-morbidities, is an epidemic issue worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a well-known metabolic disorder among patients with severe obesity. While they are good candidates for bariatric surgery, this deficiency can affect the outcome of surgery negatively. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare 3 different VDD treatment strategies for use before bariatric surgery and compare serum vitamin D levels after 7 weeks. SETTINGS: University hospital, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial on 100 patients who were referred for bariatric surgery from 2016 to 2018. Vitamin D (VitD) level was checked before surgery for the patients included in the study, if their VitD level was <30 ng/mL. We rechecked their serum VitD in the 8th week, after 7 weeks of treatment. The participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups: 33 patients were treated with 50,000 units VitD3 capsules every week for 7 weeks; 33 patients were treated with a single dose of 300,000 units VitD3 ampoule; and 34 patients were treated with a combination of a half of the injection dose, followed by the oral capsule for 4 weeks. RESULTS: No case was lost during the follow-up time. No significant differences were found among the 3 groups in terms of their age (P = .654), body mass index (P = .434), sex (P = .799), initial 25(OH) VitD level (P = .273), and history of supplement use (P = .45). Mean serum VitD levels were 15.21, 13.16, and 13.37 ng/mL, respectively, before the surgery and reached 32.91, 24.74, and 29.49 ng/mL after 7 weeks of treatment in oral, injection, and combined groups, respectively. Finally, the 7-week oral treatment option had significantly higher levels of VitD (P value = .034). CONCLUSION: VDD treatment with 50,000 units VitD3 capsule every week for 7 weeks before bariatric surgery yields a higher level of VitD. Based on our findings, injectable supplements are not recommended for VDD treatment.

The Impacts of Gastroileostomy Rat Model on Glucagon-like Peptide-1: a Promising Model to Control Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: One of the new current treatment options for Diabetes Mellitus is about increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) activity. GLP-1 with its incretin effect showed major role in glucose homeostasis. Gastroileostomy can increase GLP-1 secretion by rapid delivery of undigested food to the terminal ileum. We studied the early effects of a gastroileostomy on serum levels of GLP-1, glucose, and insulin in rats. METHODS: Gastroileostomies with side-to-side anastomosis were performed on 15 male New Zealand rats. Blood samples were obtained before and 1 week after the gastroileostomy. RESULTS: Our results showed that the rats lost a lot of weight from start (330 ± 15 g) to the end (240 ± 25 g) of the experiment (p = 0.048). The data analysis showed that the gastroileostomy surgery elevates the level of GLP-1in plasma significantly (89.1852 vs. 177.440 respectively; p < 0.001) and caused a significant decrease in plasma glucose as well (92.00 and 66.29 mg/dL respectively; p < 0.001). However, the insulin state elevated after the surgery significantly (8.03 vs. 9.89; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we showed the effectiveness of gastroileostomy treatment to decrease body weight and plasma glucose with increased GLP-1 in rats. This small rat model suggests the potential of this surgery to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Is Decline Rate of Intact Parathyroid Hormone Level a Reliable Criterion for Early Discharge of Patients after Total Thyroidectomy?

INTRODUCTION: Parathyroid dysfunction leading to symptomatic hypocalcemia is not uncommon following a total thyroidectomy and is often associated with significant patient morbidity and a prolonged hospital stay. The current study aimed at evaluating the comparative predictive role of serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed in 83 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. Laboratory data such as serum calcium, vitamin D level, serum iPTH and serum phosphorus levels before surgery, postoperative calcium, and PTH levels measured after 1 and 6 hours and on the first postoperative day (1POD) were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 83 patients, the mean (SD) age was 45.87 (12.57) years (range, 21-72 years); 70 (84.3%) patients were female. Final pathology was benign for 47 (56.6%) patients and malignant for 36 (43.4%) patients. In total, lymph node dissections were performed in 19 subjects (22.9%). On histological examination of the specimens, the parathyroid gland was found to have been removed inadvertently in 13 (15.7%) cases. In total, 35 (40.9%) patients developed hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that a cut-off value of 15.39 pg/ml for iPTH, with a decline rate of 73% 1 hour after thyroidectomy is a significant predictor of hypocalcemia (area under the curve [AUC], 0.878; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.96, P<0.0001) compared with calcium <8 mg/dl (2 mmol/L) with AUC=0.639; 95% CI, 0.51-0.76); P=0.067). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that the decline rate in iPTH is a more reliable factor for hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy than serum calcium. Patients with a decline rate <73% in iPTH could be discharged at 1POD without supplementation.

Determinants of Mortality and the Lethal Area 50 Index (LA50) in Burn Patients Admitted to a Large Burn Center; A Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the determinants of mortality and the lethal area 50 (LA50) in large series of Iranian burn patients admitted to a single burn center. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shahid Motahari burn center of Tehran, Iran during a 1-year period from 2011 to 2012. We included all the burn patients who were admitted to our center during the study period. Those with incomplete medical records and those referred to other centers were excluded from the study. The medical records of the included patients were reviewed and the demographic, clinical, laboratory and outcome measures were recorded. The mortality rate was recorded and the determinants of LA50 were analyzed in a univariate and stepwise multivariate model. RESULT: Overall we included a total number of 1200 subjects with mean age of 30.8 ±18 years. There were 907 (75.6%) men and 293 (24.4%) women among the patients. The total LA50 was 55.5% (95% CI: 52.98%-58.3 %). There was a significant difference between age group >61 years and two 11-20 and 21-30 groups regarding LA50. The advanced age (p<0.001), female gender (p=0.002), inhalational injury (p<0.001) and burn extension determined by TBSA% (p<0.001) were significantly associated with mortality. In addition, male gender (p=0.087), flame (p=0.156), scald (p=0.088) and chemical injuries (p=0.071) were not associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The LA50 determine din our study is still much lower than that reported in developed countries, as a result, the quality of medical care is lower. Female gender, age, inhalational injury and extension of burn determined by TBSA% were found to be the independent risk factors of mortality in burn patients in our series.

Pulmonary function tests in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the association between these tests and survival.

BACKGROUND: The rapidity of progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to death or respiratory failure impacts patients, clinicians, and clinical investigators. The aim of this study is to evaluate of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with ALS and the association between these PFTs and survival Methods: A total of 36 ALS patients who PFTs, including vital capacity (VC), maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (MMEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), were available from the time of diagnosis were included in this study. Non-pulmonary characteristics assessed at the time of PFTs. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Student's independent t-test, Kaplan-Meier, correlation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 55.36 (SD = 12.24) year, and the male to female ratio was 2.6. Twenty-five (69.4%) were died in 5 years period of our study. The mean and median survival time (In months) was calculated as 42.51 (95% confidence interval [CI] 33.64-51.39) and 38 (95% CI 27.23-48.77) months, respectively. The rate of ALS survival was 74% at 1(st) year, 41% at 3(rd) year and 10% at 5(th) year of starting symptoms. The results of Kaplan-Meier test showed survival was significantly longer in the group with PFTs closer to normal. In addition, ROC analysis showed that FVC < 50% could potentially be a predictor of death in ALS patients(P = 0.003, area under curve = 0.649). CONCLUSION: We found single measures of upright FVC, FEV1 to be significantly associated with survival, even after controlling for relevant non-pulmonary patient characteristics. Our study demonstrated that upright FVC, FEV1, VC, and MMEFR are useful non-invasive measures in the prediction of survival in ALS.

Comparison of the serum concentration of zinc in patients with bronchiectasis and control group.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is an abnormal and permanent dilatation of bronchi. Infection plays a major role in causing and perpetuating bronchiectasis, as reducing the microbial load and attendant mediators are cornerstone of therapy. Zinc, as an integral micronutrient is involved in the immune reactions including response to infection. In several previous studies, mild zinc deficiency has been described in many infectious diseases such as abscess, cellulitis, chronic diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), etc. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine serum zinc level in a series of patients suffering from bronchiectasis and to compare it with healthy control group. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on thirty four patients with proven bronchiectasis and twenty nine healthy control subjects referred to Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between March 2005 and March 2007. Serum concentration of the zinc was measured for all of the subjects and other information was completed according to their medical records. Both groups (case and control) were frequently matched regarding their age groups. RESULTS: Patients included 11 (32.4%) males and 23 (67.6%) females with the average age of 55.03 (SD = 17.06) yr. The mean level of serum zinc in the case and control groups were 94.06 (SD = 20/96) mcg/dl and 103.7 (SD = 11.96) mcg/dl, respectively. Independent T-test analysis showed that serum zinc concentration in the case group of bronchiectasis patients was significantly lower than control group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that serum zinc level in bronchiectasis patients was lower than the control group and the difference was statistically significant. It seems that the use of zinc supplement can reduce progression of the infectious disease regarding its role in improving the immune system reactions and some unknown mechanisms. Therefore, prophylactic and therapeutic use of zinc must be evaluated in further trials.

Do patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds require laparotomy?

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of hemodynamically stable asymptomatic patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASWs) remains controversial. The goal is to identify and treat injuries in a safe cost-effective manner. Common evaluation strategies are local wound exploration (LWE), diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL), serial clinical assessment (SCAs) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Making a decision about the right time to operate on a patient with a penetrating abdominal stab wound, especially those who have visceral evisceration, is a continuing challenge. OBJECTIVES: Until the year 2010, our strategy was emergency laparotomy in patients with penetrating anterior fascia and those with visceral evisceration. This survey was conducted towards evaluating the results of emergency laparotomy. So, better management can be done in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on patients with abdominal penetrating trauma who referred to Al- Zahra hospital in Isfahan, Iran from October 2000 to October 2010. It should be noted that patients with abdominal blunt trauma, patients under 14 years old, those with lateral abdomen penetrating trauma and patients who had unstable hemodynamic status were excluded from the study. Medical records of patients were reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected for all patients including: age, sex, mechanism of trauma and the results of LWE and laparotomy. Data were analyzed with PASW v.20 software. All data were expressed as mean ± SD. The distribution of nominal variables was compared using the Chi-squared test. Also, diagnostic index for LWE were calculated. A two-sided P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: During the 10 year period of the study, 1100 consecutive patients with stab wounds were admitted to Al-Zahra hospital Isfahan, Iran. In total, about 150 cases had penetrating traumas in the anterior abdomen area. Sixty-three (42%) patients were operated immediately due to shock, visceral evisceration or aspiration of blood via a nasogastric tube on admission. Organ injury was seen in 78% of patients with visceral evisceration. Among these 87 cases, 29 patients' (33.3%) anterior fascia was not penetrated in LWE. So, they were observed for several hours and discharged from the hospital without surgery. While for the remaining 58 patients (66.6%), whose LWE detected penetration of anterior abdominal fascia, laparotomy was performed which showed visceral injuries in 11 (18%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: All in all, 82 percent of laparotomies in patients with penetrated anterior abdominal fascia without visceral evisceration, who had no signs of peritoneal irritation, were negative. So, we recommended further evaluation in these patients. However, visceral evisceration is an indication for exploratory laparotomy, since in our study; the majority of patients had organ damages.