Timing and management of bleeding after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The timing of bleeding after bariatric surgery and subsequent management (characterized as surgical versus non-surgical (i.e., interventions including endoscopic or interventional radiology approaches)) has not been thoroughly studied. As such, we sought to describe the rates of reoperation or non-operative intervention after bleeding following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: The Metabolic and Bariatric Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database was queried between 2015 and 2018 for any bleeding after SG or RYGB and subsequent reoperation or non-operative intervention. Multivariable Fine-Gray models were used to compare the hazard of reoperation/non-operative intervention. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to test the number of subsequent reoperations/non-operative interventions depending on initial management. RESULTS: 6251 patients with bleeding after SG or RYGB were identified, of which 2653 patients underwent subsequent procedures (n = 1375 [51.83%] RYGB index procedure, n = 1278 [48.17%] SG index procedure). 1892 (71.32%) and 761 (28.68%) patients had reoperation and non-operative intervention, respectively. For patients who developed bleeding, SG was associated with significantly higher reoperation risk, while RYGB was associated with significantly higher risk of non-operative intervention. Early bleeding was associated with significantly increased risk of reoperation and decreased risk of non-operative intervention, regardless of initial procedure. The total number of subsequent reoperations/non-operative interventions did not differ significantly depending on whether the patients had non-operative intervention or reoperation first [ratio 1.01, 95% CI (0.75, 1.36), p value 0.9418]. CONCLUSION: Patients after SG who experience bleeding are more likely to undergo reoperation than RYGB patients. On the other hand, patients with bleeding after RYGB are more likely to undergo non-operative intervention compared to SG patients. Early bleeding is associated with higher risk of reoperation and lower risk of non-operative intervention both after SG and RYGB. The initial approach did not play a role in the total number of subsequent reoperations/non-operative interventions.

The durability of revisional sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass after previous adjustable gastric band.

BACKGROUND: Patients with adjustable gastric banding (AGB) often require revision to one-stage or two-stage sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term durability of revisional SG and RYGB, in terms of subsequent revision or conversion (RC). METHODS: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems dataset was queried from 2006 to 2013 for patients who underwent primary SG and RYGB, one-stage, and two-stage conversion from AGB to SG and RYGB. Patients who required RC were identified. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the RC risk among these groups. RESULTS: 13,749 had primary SG, 621 one-stage, and 321 two-stage AGB to SG. 31,814 had primary RYGB, 555 one-stage, and 248 two-stage AGB to RYGB. The estimated 5-year cumulative RC incidence rate was significantly lower after primary surgery than after prior AGB (one-stage AGB to SG 14.4%, two-stage AGB to SG 11.6%, primary SG 5.2%, one-stage AGB to RYBG 3.4%, two-stage AGB to RYGB 2.9%, and primary RYGB 1.1%, p-value < 0.0001). RYGB and SG did not differ significantly in terms of the elevation effect of one- and two-stage AGB conversion over primary surgeries (RYGB vs SG: one stage vs primary ratio of HR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.58, 1.63], p-value = 0.9153; two stage vs primary ratio of HR = 1. 02, 95% CI = [0.50, 2.07], p-value = 0.9596). CONCLUSION: RC after AGB to SG or RYGB is more frequent compared to primary surgeries with procedures following AGB to SG being more common than AGB to RYGB. However, that difference was proportionally similar to the RC rate ratio differences noted for primary SG and RYGB.

Socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of primary robotic hernia repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of primary robotic hernia repair (RHR), utilizing statewide population-level data. It was funded by the SAGES Robotic Surgery Research Grant. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) administrative database was used to identify adult patients who underwent primary open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia repair (inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral) from 2010 through 2016. Utilization trends were compared between the surgical approaches, assessing for difference in age, sex, race, insurance status, and socioeconomic status (as defined by median income for zip code). Multivariable regression models were used with statistical significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 280,064 patients underwent primary hernia repair: n = 216,892 (77.4%) open, n = 61,037 (21.8%) laparoscopic, and n = 2,135 (0.8%) robotic. After adjusting for confounding variables, senior age (OR 1.01, p = 0.002), male sex (OR 1.35, p < 0.001), and non-Hispanic race (OR 1.3-1.54, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the use of robotic compared to open or laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, patients with commercial insurance were more likely to undergo RHR compared to those with Medicare (OR 1.32) or Medicaid (OR 1.54) (p < 0.0001). Income was significantly correlated with RHR such that every $10,000 increase in income would increase the odds of having RHR by 6% (OR 1.06, p < 0.0001). Academic facilities were also associated with a significantly higher likelihood of utilizing RHR (OR 1.88, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There are significant socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of robotic compared to laparoscopic or open hernia repair. While the robotic approach is overall increasing in popularity, adoption of new technology should not be limited to specific socioeconomic cohorts of the population. Recognizing these disparities is a necessary first step in providing equal and consistent care.

Timing is everything: outcomes of 30,259 delayed cholecystectomies in New York State.

BACKGROUND: The timing of cholecystectomy in relation to outcomes has been debated. To our knowledge, there are no large population-based studies looking at outcomes and complications of delayed cholecystectomy [DC] (> 72 h after presentation). This study utilizes a statewide database to determine whether there are differences in patient outcomes for DC performed at 3-4 days, 5-6 days, and ≥ 7 days after presentation. METHODS: The New York SPARCS database was used to identify adult patients presenting with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis from 2005 to 2017. Patients aged < 18, those with missing identifier or procedure-date information, those who underwent early cholecystectomy < 72 h or upon readmission, were excluded. Patients undergoing DC at 3-4 days, 5-6 days, and ≥ 7 days were compared in terms of overall complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions/emergency department (ED) visits, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: 30,259 patients were identified. DCs were performed within 3-4 days (n = 19,845, 65.6%), 5-6 days (n = 6432, 21.3%), and ≥ 7 days (n = 3982, 13.2%). There was a stepwise deterioration in outcomes with increased delay to surgery (Fig. 1). When comparing 3-4 and ≥ 7 days, overall complications (OR = 0.418, 95% CI: 0.387-0.452), 30-day readmissions (OR = 0.609, 95% CI: 0.549-0.674), 30-day ED visits (OR = 0.697, 95% CI: 0.637-0.763), 30-day mortality (OR = 0.601, 95% CI: 0.400-0.904), and LOS (OR = 0.729, 95% CI: 0.710-0.748) were lower in the 3-4 day cohort. CONCLUSIONS: DC within 3-4 days is associated with fewer complications, readmissions and ED visits, and reduced LOS compared to DC at 5-6 or ≥ 7 days after presentation. In addition, 30-day mortality was also significantly different comparing 3-4 with ≥ 7-day cohorts. These data are important for guiding patients in the consent process and may point to choosing an earlier interval cholecystectomy for high-risk patients.

Thrombin Generation in Cardiac Versus Noncardiac Surgical Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding can be a significant problem after cardiac surgery. As a result, venous thromboembolism (VTE) or anticoagulation or both following mechanical valve implantation are often delayed in these patients. The calibrated automated thrombin (CAT) generation assay has become the gold standard to evaluate thrombin generation, a critical step in clot formation independent of other hemostatic processes (eg, platelet activation, fibrin cross-linking, and fibrinolysis), and is increasingly used to examine thrombotic and hemorrhagic outcomes. No study has currently used this assay to compare the thrombin generation profiles of cardiac surgical patients to noncardiac surgical patients. We hypothesize that noncardiac patients may be less prone to postoperative changes in thrombin generation. METHODS: A prospective, observational, cohort study was undertaken using blood samples from 50 cardiac and 50 noncardiac surgical patients preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and on postoperative days 1 to 4. Platelet-poor plasma samples were obtained from patients preoperatively, on arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) or intensive care unit (ICU), and daily on postoperative days 1 to 4 if patients remained inpatient. Samples were evaluated for CAT measurements. Patient and surgical procedure characteristics were obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: The primary outcome variable, median endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), measured in nanomolar × minutes (nM × min), was decreased 100% in cardiac surgical versus 2% in noncardiac patients (P < .001). All parameters of thrombin generation were similarly depressed. Cardiac (versus noncardiac) surgical type was associated with -76.5% difference of percent change in ETP on multivariable regression analysis (95% confidence interval [CI], -87.4 to -65.5; P value <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgical patients exhibit a profound decrease in thrombin generation postoperatively compared with noncardiac surgical patients evaluated by this study. Hemodilution and coagulation factor depletion likely contribute to this decreased thrombin generation after cardiac surgery.

Comparative perioperative and 5-year outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair: a study of 153,727 patients in the state of New York.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the perioperative outcomes of robotic inguinal hernia repair as compared to the open and laparoscopic approaches utilizing large-scale population-level data. METHODS: This study was funded by the SAGES Robotic Surgery Research Grant (2019). The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) administrative database was used to identify all adult patients undergoing initial open (O-IHR), laparoscopic (L-IHR), and robotic (R-IHR) inguinal hernia repair between 2010 and 2016. Perioperative outcome measures [complications, length of stay (LOS), 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, 30-day readmissions] and estimated 1/3/5-year recurrence incidences were compared. Propensity score (PS) analysis was used to estimate marginal differences between R-IHR and L-IHR or O-IHR, using a 1:1 matching algorithm. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 153,727 patients underwent inguinal hernia repair (117,603 [76.5%] O-IHR, 35,565 [23.1%] L-IHR; 559 [0.36%] R-IHR) in New York state. Initial univariate analysis found R-IHR to have longer LOS (1.74 days vs. 0.66 O-IHR vs 0.19 L-IHR) and higher rates of overall complications (9.3% vs. 3.6% O-IHR vs 1.1% L-IHR), 30-day ED visits (11.6% vs. 6.1% O-IHR vs. 4.9% L-IHR), and 30-day readmissions (5.6% vs. 2.4% O-IHR vs. 1.2% L-IHR) (p < 0.0001). R-IHR was associated with higher recurrence compared to L-IHR. Following PS analysis, there were no differences in perioperative outcomes between R-IHR and L-IHR, and the difference in recurrence was found to be sensitive to possible unobserved confounding factors. R-IHR had significantly lower risk of complications (Risk difference - 0.09, 95% CI [- 0.13, - 0.056]; p < 0.0001) and shorter LOS (Ratio 0.53, 95% CI [0.45, 0.62]; p < 0.0001) compared to O-IHR. CONCLUSION: In adult patients, R-IHR may be associated with comparable to more favorable 30-day perioperative outcomes as compared with L-IHR and O-IHR, respectively.

Impact of bariatric surgery on the development of diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications.

BACKGROUND: While bariatric surgery has been shown to improve type 2 diabetes (DM) control in the obese population, the effect on long-term DM complications has been less thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications in obese DM patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: New York patients' records from the SPARCS database in years 2006-2012 were used to identify obese patients with DM. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery were compared with patients managed medically, matched for age and gender. Patients were grouped based on baseline presence of controlled or uncontrolled DM and followed over time for the development of micro- and macrovascular complications. Cumulative incidence of complications was estimated with death treated as a competing risk event. Multivariable proportional sub-distribution hazards models were used to compare the risk of complications among different patient groups after adjusting for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 88,981 patients were reviewed, including 15,585 (18%) that were treated with bariatric surgery. Surgery patients had significantly lower risk of microvascular complications compared to non-surgery patients (controlled diabetes: HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.37-0.42; uncontrolled diabetes: HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71). Similarly, the surgical patients were noted to have a significantly lower risk for macrovascular complications compared to non-surgery patients (controlled diabetes: HR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.40-0.46; uncontrolled diabetes: HR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.28-0.69). Cumulative incidence of microvascular complications was lower at 1, 5 and 9 years for the surgical groups for controlled and uncontrolled DM. Similar trends were observed for the macrovascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery appears to prevent complications of DM. Bariatric surgery patients with DM experienced significantly lower rates of microvascular and macrovascular complications, compared to non-surgically treated comparison group. Bariatric surgery was noted to offer protective benefits for both complicated and non-complicated DM patients. This reduced rate of complications was sustained in the long term.

Comprehensive Quality Improvement Program for Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography: Development, Implementation, and Initial Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement a comprehensive transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) quality improvement (QI) program and assess for potential improvements in TEE performed by cardiac anesthesiologists. DESIGN: Prospective institutionally approved QI program. SETTING: Academic tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised cardiac anesthesiologists. INTERVENTIONS: An instrument comprising 15 quality measures to assess TEE examinations pre- and post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was developed for the present study. TEE examinations before the introduction of the QI program were assessed retrospectively, and examinations performed after its introduction were reviewed prospectively over a 2-year period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 118 TEE studies were analyzed, 48 and 70 studies before and after introduction of the TEE QI program, respectively. Half of the studies were performed pre-CPB, and half of them were performed post-CPB. Multivariate linear mixed regression models were used to assess the effect of the QI program. Interrater variability was assessed among internal reviewers by means of the Shrout-Fleiss reliability intraclass correlation coefficient. Five quality measures demonstrated a significant improvement in studies after CPB after implementation, including 3 imaging criteria (left ventricle, tricuspid valve, and pulmonary artery) and 2 documentation criteria (completeness of demographic/clinical data and timely reporting of documentation). The inter-rater variability analysis yielded an average intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.90 before and 0.78 after the QI program initiation, consistent with excellent agreement among the 4 reviewers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the ability to create and implement a formal QI program for intraoperative TEE in an academic tertiary care cardiac surgical group. The initial data showed significant improvement in several quality measures related to TEE performance.

HbA1C is not directly associated with complications of bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is effective therapy for weight loss and diabetes control. While patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience significant benefit from bariatric surgery, the impact of hyperglycemia on perioperative risks is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate effect of elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) on perioperative risks for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). SETTINGS: 117,644 patients undergoing RYGB or SG between the years of 2017 and 2018 in the United Stated were analyzed. Data was obtained using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database. METHODS: Three commonly used cutoff levels of HbA1C were selected (6.5, 7.0, and 8.5). Complications were compared between groups of patients above and below each HbA1C level. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to account for confounders. RESULTS: Without risk adjustment, HbA1C is indirectly associated with increased rates of surgical complications. However, after adjusting for underlying co-morbidities, HbA1C is not associated with overall complications, including 30 day readmissions, reoperations, reinterventions, or death at any HbA1C cutoff: 6.5 (odds ratio [OR] 1.041, P value = .219), 7.0 (OR 1.020, P value = .551), or 8.5 (OR 1.051, P value = .208). CONCLUSION: There is no direct relationship between HbA1C and early postoperative complications of SG and RYGB. Thus, optimizing preoperative HbA1C values alone, may not translate into decreased surgical complications of bariatric surgery. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2020;17:271-275.) © 2020 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.

A Comprehensive Approach for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a common occurrence. The effect of specific interventions in PONV prevention within enhanced recovery pathways remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive approach for the prevention of PONV on patient outcomes and hospital resource utilization. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was conducted for patients undergoing SG. The intervention group received aprepitant and transdermal scopolamine preoperatively followed by ondansetron and dexamethasone intraoperatively, with total intravenous anesthesia. The control group received inhalational anesthetic and two intraoperative antiemetics without preoperative prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was a PONV-related delay in hospital discharge. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients completed the study (41 in the intervention and 42 in the control group). Eighty-nine percent of patients were discharged home on the first postoperative day. Four patients in the control group and none in the intervention group experienced a PONV-related delay in discharge (9.5% vs 0, p = 0.119). Intervention patients reported significantly lower PONV scores at all in-hospital time points examined (p = 0.0392 for verbal scores and p < 0.0001 for Rhodes Index) and significantly higher self-rated quality of recovery at 24 h (Quality of Recovery-15 instrument, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A multilevel approach to PONV leads to significantly lower severity of PONV and improved self-reported quality of recovery, compared with control. PONV-related readmissions, ED visits, and discharge delays were uncommon within the overall enhanced recovery cohort.

Bariatric peri-operative outcomes are affected by annual procedure-specific surgeon volume.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data examining specific annual surgeon procedural volumes associated with improvement of postoperative outcomes following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). OBJECTIVES: Effect of surgeon volume on procedural outcomes. METHODS: Using the SPARCS Administrative database, patients undergoing laparoscopic RYGB or SG between 2010-2014 were analyzed. Multivariable generalized linear mixed regression models were first used to analyze the influences of 3 yearly mean volumes (combined, RYGB and SG mean volumes) on each of three surgical outcomes: 30-day readmission, peri-operative complications, and extended length of stay (LOS), while accounting for patient specific variables. RESULTS: A total of 46,511 laparoscopic bariatric procedures were included in the study. Risk for any complication and 30-day readmissions following RYGB decreased with increasing RYGB volume up to a specific volume and stayed similar afterward (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98 while volume < 247.9 cases/year and OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99 while volume < 354.1 cases/year, respectively) while risk for extended LOS decreased with increasing combined bariatric mean volume up to a specific volume and stayed similar afterward (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.85-0.95 while volume < 62.1 cases/year). Similar patterns were found for extended LOS and complications following SG (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.93 while SG volume < 26.3 cases/year and OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98 while combined volume < 62.1 cases/year, respectively), while 30-day readmission following SG significantly increased when combined bariatric volume being more than 138 cases/year (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.21 while combined volume > 138 cases/year)). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric procedure peri-operative outcomes are affected by procedure-specific annual surgeons' volume.

Association of revisions or conversions after sleeve gastrectomy with annual bariatric center procedural volume in the state of New York.

INTRODUCTION: Although bariatric center procedural volume has been associated with early perioperative safety, data on the effect of such volume and long-term outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between annual bariatric center SG volume and the incidence of revisions or conversions (RC) after SG. METHODS: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was used to identify all patients who underwent SG between 2006 and 2012. Subsequent RC events were captured up to 2016. Bariatric centers having annual SG volume less than 45, between 45 and 65, and greater than 65 were defined as low (LV), medium (MV), and high volume (HV), respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to compare the risk of having RC among centers with different yearly sleeve volumes. RESULTS: We identified 8389 patients who underwent SG. The overall estimated cumulative incidence of RC was 0.5% (95% CI 0.3-0.6%) at 1 year, 6.2% (95% CI 5.4-7.0%) at 5 years, and 15.3% (95% CI 12.6-18.0%) at 8 years after SG. The estimated cumulative incidence of RC for LV, MV, and HV at 8 years after SG was 16.7% (95% CI 11.1-22.3%), 15.5% (95% CI 11.2-19.8%), and 13.7% (95% CI 9.4-17.9%), respectively. HV centers have lower risk of RC compared to LV (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.88) and MV (hazard ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.57-0.98). LV and MV centers have comparable risk of RC (hazard ratio 1.15; 95% CI 0.87-1.51). Patients having the initial SG performed in LV were the least likely to have RC in the same institution (46.1% of LV, 13.2% of MV and 22.3% of HV; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing SG at LV centers experience the highest risk of subsequent RC. This effect persists after adjusting for patient-level factors. These data underline the relationship between volume threshold and long-term effect.

Recent trends of bariatric surgery in adolescent population in the state of New York.

BACKGROUND: In the United States the percentage of adolescents with obesity has reached an alarming level of 21%. Bariatric surgery has emerged as a successful intervention in the weight loss for adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To compare bariatric procedures performed in adolescent and adult populations. SETTING: University Hospital, United States. METHODS: Using the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database, records from the adolescent (age 12-21years) and adult populations undergoing bariatric surgery during 2005-2014 were examined. Patients' demographics, surgery type (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), length of stay (LOS), complications and comorbidities were analyzed. RESULTS: The annual adolescent bariatric cases increased from 150 in 2005 to 406 in 2014. In the adolescent population, increasing utilization trends were noted in the Hispanic population (RR=1.08, p-value<0.0001), use of Public (Medicaid or Medicare) insurance (RR=1.10, p-value=0.0003) and SG procedures (RR= 1.56, p-value <0.0001). Decreasing trends were noted in the Caucasian population (RR=0.95, p-value<0.0001), RYGB (RR=0.92, p-value<0.0001) and LAGB (RR= 0.84, p-value=0.0001). Adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery had fewer comorbidities (55.4% vs 81.1%, p-value<0.0001), experienced fewer complications (3.3% vs 4.9%, p-value<0.0001) and 30-day readmissions (3.8% vs 5.0%, p-value=0.0029). Length of stay was also found to be significantly shorter for the adolescent population (1.73 vs 2.00 days, p-value<0.0001). After adjusting for other confounding factors, adolescent patients still had significantly lower complication risk (p-value=0.01) and shorter length of stay (p-value=0.0005) than adults. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery procedure rates have increased in the adolescent population with increasing trend of using LSG. The data from our study supports that bariatric surgery is safe in adolescents with significantly lower complication risk and shorter length of stay as compared to the adult population.

Safety of bariatric surgery in patients older than 65 years.

BACKGROUND: The increase in life expectancy along with the obesity epidemic has led to an increase in the number of older patients undergoing bariatric surgery. There is conflicting evidence regarding the safety of performing bariatric procedures on older patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for older patients (>65 yr). SETTING: Nationwide analysis of accredited centers. METHODS: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program 2015 to 2017 database was used to identify nonrevisional laparoscopic RYGB and SG procedures. Comparisons were made based on patient age. Clinical outcomes included postoperative events and mortality. RESULTS: There was a total 13,422 and 5395 matched pairs for SG and RYGB in comparing patients aged 18 years to those aged 65 and >65 years, respectively, and 5395 matched RYGB and SG procedures performed in patients >65 years. The complication rate was higher in older patients undergoing RYGB compared with SG (risk difference = 2.39%, 95% confidence interval: 1.57%-3.21%, P < .0001). When comparing older to younger patients, the older group had a higher complication rate for SG but not for RYGB (SG: risk difference = 1.01%, 95% confidence interval: .59%-1.43%, P < .0001, RYGB: risk difference = .59%, 95% confidence interval: -.29% to 1.47%, P = .2003). CONCLUSIONS: Overall complication rates of bariatric surgery are low in patients >65 years. SG appears to have a favorable safety profile in this patient population compared with RYGB. The overall complication rate for RYGB is not significantly different between the older and younger groups.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for lumbar spine fusion.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature regarding the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for open lumbar spine fusions. We implemented an ERAS program for 1-2-level lumbar spine fusion surgery and identified areas that might benefit from perioperative interventions to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. METHODS: This institutionally approved quality improvement (QI) ERAS program for lumbar spine fusion was designed for all neurosurgical patients 18 years and older scheduled for 1 or 2 level primary lumbar fusions. The ERAS bundle contained elements such as multimodal analgesia including preoperative oral acetaminophen and gabapentin, postoperative early mobilization and physical therapy, and a prophylactic multimodal antiemetic regimen to decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting. No fluid management or hemodynamic parameters were included. Pre-ERAS and post-ERAS data were compared with regard to potential confounders, compliance with the ERAS bundle, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 230 patients were included from October 2013 to May 2017. The pre-ERAS phase consisted of 123 patients, 11 patients during the transition period, and 96 serving as post-ERAS patients. The pre-ERAS and post-ERAS groups had comparable demographics and comorbidities. Compliance with preoperative and intraoperative medication interventions was relatively good (~ 80%). Compliance with postoperative elements such as early physical therapy, early mobilization, and early removal of the urinary catheter was poor with no significant improvement in post-ERAS patients. There was no significant change in the amount of short-acting opioids used, but there was a decrease in the use of long-acting opioids in the post-ERAS phase (14.6 to 5.2%, p = 0.025). Post-ERAS patients required fewer rescue antiemetic medications in the recovery room compared to pre-ERAS patients (40 to 24%). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain scores or hospital length of stay between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an ERAS bundle for 1-2-level lumbar fusion had minimal effect in decreasing length of stay, but a significant decrease in postoperative opioid and rescue antiemetic use. This ERAS bundle showed mixed results likely secondary to poor ERAS protocol compliance. Going forward, this QI project will look to improve post-operative ERAS implementation to improve patient outcomes.

Postpartum Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Women With Heart Disease from A Nationwide Study.

There is limited data on postpartum maternal postpartum major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) among women with heart disease (HD) in the US. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of MACCE in the US. The Nationwide Readmissions Databases (2010 to 2014) were screened for patients with and without HD undergoing delivery. HD subtypes included cardiomyopathy (CDM), congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Rates and reasons of 42-day readmission were determined using weighted national estimates. Independent predictors of postpartum MACCE were determined using multivariable logistic regression for complex survey data. We found among 15,273,247 patients hospitalized for delivery, 33,827 had HD (CDM 22.78%, congenital heart disease 45.98%, valvular heart disease 24.81%, and pulmonary hypertension 6.41%). Of these, 5.2% of HD patients and 1.4% of No HD were readmitted. MACCE was higher in HD vs No HD (2.68% vs 0.17%, p <0.0001). Median time to MACCE was 5.6 days (interquartile range 3 to 15 days). CDM had >10% readmission at 42 days. Among HD patients, cardiovascular, infectious, hypertensive syndromes, and complications of pregnancy were the most common reasons for 42-day readmission. MACCE predictors in women with HD included HD subtype, age, insurance status, obesity, eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, MACCE during delivery, preterm delivery, and thrombotic complications. In conclusion, among a nationwide analysis, postpartum MACCE was more common among patients with HD especially within 1 week of discharge from delivery. Predictors can be easily screened for by clinicians, including presence of any HD, hypertensive syndromes, age, obesity, and obstetrical events during index hospitalization.

Vitamin A and ß-carotene in pregnant and breastfeeding post-bariatric women in an urban population.

Background As breastfeeding awareness and social acceptance are increased, maternal nutritional deficiency requires more investigation. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine if vitamin A deficiency is more common in pregnant, lactating post-bariatric surgery women in an inner city population. Antepartum, women after bariatric surgery and controls with no history of malabsorption were recruited. Third trimester, postpartum maternal blood and cord blood were collected as well as three breast milk samples: colostrum, transitional and mature milk. A nutritional survey of diet was completed. Each serum sample was analyzed for total retinol and ß-carotene; breast milk samples were analyzed for retinol and retinyl esters, total retinol and ß-carotene. Results Fifty-three women after bariatric surgery and 66 controls were recruited. Postpartum serum retinol was significantly higher in women after bariatric surgery in the univariate analysis (P<0.0001) and confirmed in the multiple linear mixed model (P=0.0001). Breast milk colostrum retinol and transitional milk total retinol were significantly greater in the bariatric surgery group in the univariate analysis (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively), but not after adjusting for confounders. Serum ß-carotene in the third trimester and postpartum were lower (P<0.0001 and P=0.003, respectively) in the bariatric surgery group but not after adjusting for confounders. Vitamin A deficiency was high in both groups in serum and breast milk samples. Conclusion Nutritional deficiencies in breastfeeding women after bariatric surgeries may in fact be less common than in control women in an inner city.

Neonatal and Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Cardiac Disease.

Background Pregnant women with underlying heart disease ( HD ) are at increased risk for adverse maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. Methods and Results Inpatient maternal delivery admissions and linked neonatal stays for women with cardiomyopathy, adult congenital HD, pulmonary hypertension ( PH ), and valvular HD were explored utilizing the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (New York), January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2014, with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Maternal major adverse cardiac events, neonatal adverse clinical events ( NACE ), and obstetric complications were recorded. Outcomes were compared using multiple logistic regression modeling. Among 2 284 044 delivery admissions, 3871 women had HD ; 676 (17%) had cardiomyopathy, 1528 (40%) had valvular HD, 1367 (35%) had adult congenital HD, and 300 (8%) had PH . Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 16.1% of women with HD , with most in the cardiomyopathy (45.9%) and PH (25%) groups. NACE was more common in offspring of women with HD (18.4% versus 7.1%), with most in the cardiomyopathy (30.0%) and PH (25.0%) groups. Increased risk of NACE was noted for women with HD (odds ratio [ OR ]: 2.8; 95% confidence interval [ CI ], 2.5-3.0), with the highest risk for those with cardiomyopathy ( OR : 5.9; 95% CI , 5.0-7.0) and PH ( OR : 4.5; 95% CI , 3.4-5.9). Preeclampsia ( OR : 5.1; 95% CI , 3.0-8.6), major adverse cardiac events ( OR : 2.3; 95% CI , 1.8-2.9), preexisting diabetes mellitus ( OR : 4.3; 95% CI , 1.5-12.3), and obstetric complications ( OR : 2.9; 95% CI , 1.7-5.2) were independently associated with higher NACE risk. Conclusions Neonatal complications were higher in offspring of pregnant women with HD , particularly cardiomyopathy and PH . Preeclampsia, major adverse cardiac events, obstetric complications, and preexisting diabetes mellitus were independently associated with a higher risk of NACE .

Incidence of cholecystectomy after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery predisposes patients to development of cholelithiasis, and therefore the need of a subsequent cholecystectomy; however, the incidence of cholecystectomy after bariatric surgery is debated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to assess the incidence of cholecystectomy after 3 of the most common bariatric procedures. SETTING: University Hospital, involving a large database in New York State. METHODS: The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System administrative longitudinal database was used to identify all patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) between 2004 and 2010. Through the use of a unique identifier patients were followed to evaluate for the need of a subsequent cholecystectomy over at least 5 years. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for subsequent cholecystectomy. RESULTS: During this time period, there were 15,301 LAGB procedures, 19,996 RYGB, and 1650 SG. There were 989 (6.5%) patients who underwent cholecystectomy after LAGB, 1931 (9.7%) patients after RYGB, and 167 (10.1%) after SG. Approximately one quarter of follow-up cholecystectomies were performed at the same institutions. LAGB and RYGB were less likely to have a subsequent cholecystectomy compared with SG (hazard ratio .5, 95% confidence interval .4-.6 for LAGB; and hazard ratio .7, 95% confidence interval .6-.9 for RYGB). Risk factors for a subsequent cholecystectomy included age, sex, race, and some co-morbidities and complications (P<.05) based on a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. CONCLUSION: The rate of cholecystectomy after LAGB, RYGB, and SG was 6.5%, 9.7% and 10.1%, respectively. Patients should be counseled preoperatively about this risk and biliary prophylaxis should be contemplated.