Endoscopic Management of Post-Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Leakage and Stenosis Using Fully Covered Stent.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed surgery to treat morbid obesity. Post-LSG leak and stenosis are serious complications that can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to report the efficacy and safety profile of using specifically designed fully covered self-expandable metallic stent for the treatment of post-LSG complications. METHODS: This retrospective study included adult patients who underwent placement of a fully covered esophagogastric, self-expandable metallic stent for post-LSG leak or stenosis. The procedure was carried out at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between September 2017 and May 2019. Data regarding demographics, indication for stenting, size of the stent, procedural success and poststenting adverse events were collected. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients met the inclusion criteria, with indication for endoscopic stenting being post-LSG leak in 11 patients and stenosis in 3 patients. The technical success rate of self-expandable metallic stent placement was 100%, and the clinical success was 85.7% (12 of 14 patients). Nausea (71.4%) and vomiting (85.7%) were the most frequent mild adverse events reported. Stent-induced esophageal stricture was the only major adverse event reported in two patients. CONCLUSION: Placement of specifically designed self-expandable metallic stent for the treatment of post-LSG leak and stenosis is an effective and safe approach. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to assess the optimal duration needed to treat such complications.

Initial outcomes of one anastomosis gastric bypass at a single institution.

INTRODUCTION: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is an emerging bariatric procedure, which has been reported to be safe and effective. This study aims to evaluate the short-term outcome of OAGB and its midterm effects on weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had undergone OAGB between January 2013 and January 2017 in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is presented here. Patients' perioperative characteristics, biochemical profile (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and iron profile) and details on subsequent weight loss in terms of body mass index (BMI) and excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) along with early and late postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of the 47 patients who underwent OAGB, 42 were included in this study and completed the 2-year follow-up. Average operative time was 107±21.3 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 2.5±0.53 days. Mean preoperative BMI was 47.6±9.1 kg/m2, and at 1 and 2 years of follow-up, it was 30.5±7.4 and 27.1±5.1, respectively. No mortality, anastomotic leak or bleeding were reported. Most common midterm complication was iron deficiency anemia (n=7/42). Remission of T2DM at 6 months was 80%. Patients with preoperative T2DM for less than 10 years showed better remission (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that OAGB is a safe and effective weight loss procedure that carries low perioperative risk and acceptable nutritional complications in the midterm, with a notable remission of T2DM. Preoperative duration of T2DM plays a major role in achieving remission after OAGB.

General and Postbariatric Nutritional Knowledge among Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of obesity and the number of bariatric surgeries are increasing in Saudi Arabia. Studies evaluating nutritional knowledge, especially in Middle Eastern countries, are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the general and postbariatric nutritional knowledge related to dietary recommendations among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 112 patients aged 18-65 years, of both genders, were recruited from the Surgical Clinics at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients' knowledge pertaining to general nutrition and consumption after bariatric surgery was assessed in relation to dietary recommendations, using a preoperative questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean general nutrition knowledge score was 42 of a maximum of 85 points (50%). Approximately 40% and 60% of patients were classified with a low and medium level of nutritional knowledge, respectively. Postbariatric nutritional knowledge among patients was very low (mean: 16/81 points). The level of education was correlated with patients' body mass index (p=0.045) and the general nutritional knowledge total score (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: General and postbariatric nutritional knowledge among Saudi bariatric patients is currently insufficient. A multicenter study involving a larger sample size with different sociodemographic characteristics is warranted to confirm these findings. The purpose of such a study would be to determine the nutritional knowledge of patients undergoing bariatric surgery and inform the implementation of educational strategies.

Coexistence of Primary GEJ Adenocarcinoma and Pedunculated Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive system, although they account for only 0.1-3% of all gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. They can arise anywhere along the GI tract with gastric predominance. Concurrent occurrence of GIST and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) neoplasm is rare. We report a 55-year-old gentleman presenting with a polyp at the GEJ and a synchronous, large, and pedunculated gastric mass at the greater curvature. Those were treated with a wedge resection of the gastric pedunculated mass with negative margins along with transgastric submucosal resection of the GEJ polyp. Pathological examination confirmed synchronous invasive GEJ adenocarcinoma and a high-grade gastric GIST.

Endoscopic treatment of Zenker diverticulum: results of a 7-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Zenker diverticulum (ZD) is a rare disease usually seen in elderly patients who present with symptoms of worsening dysphagia and regurgitation. Although open surgical approach is still the standard management for symptomatic patients, the endoscopic technique has evolved as an alternative approach, especially for highly morbid patients. We are reporting our experience for treating ZD using endoscopic needle-knife papillotome. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 18 patients with a mean age of 80 years (range 68 to 91 years) were included in our prospective cohort study. All patients underwent endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy for symptomatic ZD using needle-knife papillotome at Brandon Regional Health Centre during a 7-year period. Mean follow-up was 27.5 months. A dysphagia score system from 0 (no dysphagia) to 4 (severe dysphagia) was used. All patients' baseline characteristics, pre- and postoperative symptoms, operative time, time to oral intake, length of hospital stay, recurrence of symptoms, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Dysphagia score and regurgitation symptoms improved substantially after treatment. Mean operative time was 28.4 minutes. Oral intake was resumed within 24 hours in all but 1 patient. Hospital stay for the majority was 24 to 48 hours. Only 1 patient had a microperforation treated conservatively and 2 patients had re-do procedures for persistence of dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy using needle-knife papillotome is an effective approach to manage ZD for highly morbid patients. It is minimally invasive, decreases anesthetic time, shortens hospital stay, and has a low complication rate.