International survey on complications of religious fasting after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Religious fasting in Ramadan the 9th month of the lunar year is one of five pillars in Islam and is practiced for a full month every year. There may be risks with fasting in patients with a history of metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). There is little published evidence on the possible complications during fasting and needs stronger recommendations and guidance to minimize them. An international survey was sent to surgeons to study the types of complications occurring during religious fasting in patients with history of MBS to evaluate the risk factors to manage and prepare more evidence-based recommendations. In total, 21 centers from 11 countries participated in this survey and reported a total of 132 patients with complications occurring during religious fasting after MBS. The mean age of patients with complications was 36.65 ± 3.48 years and mean BMI was 43.12 ± 6.86 kg/m2. Mean timing of complication occurring during fasting after MBS was 14.18 months. The most common complications were upper GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms including [gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), abdominal pain, and dyspepsia], marginal ulcers and dumping syndrome in 24% (32/132), 8.3% (11/132) and 23% (31/132) patients respectively. Surgical management was necessary in 4.5% of patients presenting with complications (6/132) patients due to perforated marginal or peptic ulcer in Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), obstruction at Jejunojenostomy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (1/6) and acute cholecystitis (1/6). Patients after MBS should be advised about the risks while fasting including abdominal pain, dehydration, and peptic ulcer disease exacerbation, and a thorough review of their medications is warranted to minimize complications.

The Impact of Blood Pressure Switching (from Controlled Hypotension to Late Elevated Blood Pressure) During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most done bariatric procedure. Bleeding and leak are the most common associated complications. Elevation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) leads to discovering the bleeding sites but results in a bloody field and increases the operative time. Controlled hypotension shortens the operative time, reduces tissue edema, and improves field vision. We aimed to test controlled hypotension during LSG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial that included 200 patients who were operated by LSG, randomly assigned to 2 equal groups: group 1, operated with controlled hypotensive anesthesia, and group 2, operated with elevated SBP to 140 mmHg. RESULTS: Of the patients, 162 (81%) were females, and 38 (19%) were male. The mean BMI was 45.7 kg/m2. The mean age was 41.7 years. The operative time was 36.43 ± 6.73 min in group 1 vs. 44.71 ± 5.47 min in group 2. The mean of total number of used gauzes and clips was 2.70 ± 3.49 in group 1 vs. 8.83 ± 3.15 in group 2. The mean amount of drain output was 37.65 ± 21.90 ml in group 1 vs. 74.00 ± 16.54 ml in group 2. The mean drop in the postoperative hematocrit was 0.08 in group 1 vs. 0.22 in group 2. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was 0% in group 1 vs. 1% in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled hypotensive anesthesia in LSG reduces the operative time, reduces the intraoperative bleeding, and improves the operative field.

Nasobiliary guided laparoscopic cholecystectomy following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most common management of gallstones combined with common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study aims to evaluate the impact of routine insertion of nasobiliary catheter during ERCP in cases of difficult LC. PATIENTS & METHODS: From total 110 patients who underwent ERCP followed by LC in the period from April 2019 to April 2020, nasobiliary (NB) catheter was inserted during ERCP in 55 patients after CBD clearance (NB group). In the other 55 patients, only CBD clearance was done (Control group). In the NB group, dynamic trans-nasobiliary intraoperative cholangiography (TN-IOC) was done during dissection of Calot's triangle. At the end of the procedure, trans-nasobiliay methylene blue (MB) test was done to detect any missed biliary injury. The primary outcome to be analyzed was the incidence and severity of bile duct injury (BDI), secondary outcomes were the operative time, conversion to open surgery, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients, 57 patients (51.8%) were males and 53 (48.2%) were females. Median age was 55 years. One case of biliary leak was reported in the NB group (1.8%), while 2 cases (3.6%) were reported in the Control group. The average operative time in the NB group was 115 min versus 128 min in the Control group (P value < 0.001). No cases were converted to open cholecystectomy in the NB group (0%) with 5 cases (9.1%) converted to open in the Control group. The average postoperative hospital stay was 2 ± 0.1 days in the NB group versus 3.6 ± 5.3 days in the Control group (P value = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Routine insertion of nasobiliary tube during ERCP, in patients with combined gallbladder and CBD stones, is a simple, safe and dynamic method for IOC. This maneuver does not statistically decrease the incidence of BDI but can diagnose, minimize and treat BDI with shorter operative time and hospital stay.

Single-Anastomosis Sleeve Jejunal (SAS-J) Bypass as Revisional Surgery After Primary Restrictive Bariatric Procedures.

PURPOSE: Single-anastomosis sleeve jejunal (SAS-J) bypass is the modification of a single-anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass with a short biliary limb. SAS-J bypass is reported to be a good primary bariatric procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the results of SAS-J bypass as a revisional surgery after failed primary restrictive bariatric procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study including 43 patients who underwent SAS-J bypass as a revisional surgery for weight regain after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), or laparoscopic gastric plication. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 35 (81.4%) were female, and 8 (18.6%) were male. The mean BMI was 46.3 kg/m2. The mean age was 41 years. Thirty-two patients (74.4%) had a failed sleeve, 9 (20.9%) had a failed LAGB, and 2 (4.7%) had a failed gastric plication. The mean operative time was 104 min. Intra-abdominal bleeding occurred in 1 case (2.3%), and intraluminal bleeding occurred in 3 cases (7%). No case (0%) developed a leak. The percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) reached 76.5% after 1 year. Type 2 diabetes mellitus remission occurred in all diabetic patients, hypertension remitted in 80%, hyperlipidemia remitted in 83.3%, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome improved in all cases. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms were improved in 86.7% of patients. Significant biliary gastritis occurred in 4 patients (9.3%). Dumping syndrome was reported in 4 patients (9.3%). CONCLUSIONS: SAS-J bypass was effective as a salvage surgery after failed restrictive bariatric procedures, but long-term follow-up is needed.

Single anastomosis sleeve jejunal (SAS-J) bypass as a treatment for morbid obesity, technique and review of 1986 cases and 6 Years follow-up. Retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Santoro's operation is a sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition. The operation aims to maintain passage to the duodenum to minimize nutritional deficiency. This procedure is rapidly changed to single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass. SAS-J bypass is a modification of SASI with a short biliary limb. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. The study includes a comprehensive review of 1986 patients who underwent SAS-J bypass over 6 years. The total number is used to evaluate the perioperative data. One- and two-year follow-up was used to evaluate weight loss and comorbidities; follow-up of more than 5 years was used to obtain long-term results. RESULTS: In this study, 70.4% of patients were female and 29.6% were male. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 44.7. The mean age was 42 years. Regarding comorbidities, 25.8% of the patients had type 2 diabetes, 31% were hypertensive, 14.2% had sleep apnea syndrome, 6.6% had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and 39.6% had hyperlipidemia. Of the 1294 patients who complete one-year follow up, %EWL reached 87%. Blood glucose levels were normalized in 98.5% of patients, hypertension remitted in 93%, hyperlipidemia improved in 97%, SAS is improved in all cases, and GERD improved in 89% of patients. After 5 years, 94 patients' BMI decreased from 44.3 to 28.3 without significant nutritional deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic SAS-J bypass is an effective and simple alternative bariatric procedure at short- and long-term follow-up.

Effect of Altitude Level on Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Patients With Morbid Obesity: A Multicentre Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of altitude level on surgical outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for patients with morbid obesity. METHODS: At the normal altitude level, 808 patients underwent LSG, and 467 patients underwent LSG in high-altitude regions. The primary outcome was evaluated based on the postoperative morbidity rate. Secondary outcomes were evaluated based on operating time, mortality, hospital stay, percentage of total weight loss (TWL), and comorbidities improvement. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in-hospital stay, time to start oral intake, gastric leakage, overall complications, and hospital mortality between the 2 groups. Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mesenteric vascular occlusion were significantly higher in high altitude [11 (1.3%) vs. 14 (3%), P=0.04; 8 (0.7%) vs. 11 (2.4%), P=0.01; 4 (0.5%) vs. 8 (1.7%), P=0.03, respectively]. Patients with normal altitude recorded a better %TWL than those at high altitude after 12 months (41±9 vs. 39±9.6, P=0.002) and after 24 months (41±8 vs. 40±9, P=0.009). In both groups, a significant improvement was noted in comorbidity after LSG. CONCLUSION: The %TWL significantly achieved with LSG in normal and high altitudes. After 12 and 24 months, the %TWL is significantly higher with LSG at normal altitudes. High altitude is associated with a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and superior mesenteric vascular occlusion with LSG.

The outcomes of single anastomosis sleeve jejunal bypass as a treatment for morbid obesity (Two-year follow-up).

INTRODUCTION: Santoro's operation is a sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition. The aim of the procedure is to keep pass to the duodenum to decrease nutritional deficiency and to allow endoscopic management of obstructive jaundice. To be easier, this procedure was rapidly altered to a single anastomosis sleeve ileal bypass (SASI). In this study, we shifted the anastomosis up to the jejunum to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic single anastomosis sleeve jejunal (SASJ) bypass as a treatment for morbid obesity and related comorbidities. In addition, the effect of the SASJ procedure on nutritional deficiency was examined. METHODS: In this study, 150 morbidly obese patients underwent SASJ bypass with a biliary limb length of 200-250 cm. All patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. We evaluated all cases by assessing BMI, complications, nutritional status, and obesity-related comorbidities. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 30.6 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 44.6 kg/m2. Of the patients, 35 (23.2%) had type two diabetes and 47 (31.3%) were hypertensive. Postoperative bleeding occurred in two cases (1.3%). One patient developed a gastric leak (0.7%), and five patients developed biliary gastritis (3.3%). One patient (0.7%) developed a pulmonary embolism. The %EWL reached 85% in 1 year. Normalization of blood glucose occurred within 2 months after surgery in all diabetic patients. Hypertension underwent remittance in 89% of hypertensive patients. All patients were gradually weaned from four types of multivitamin regimens to only one multivitamin regimen without apparent nutritional deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic SASJ bypass is an effective, safe, and simple procedure for treating morbid obesity and comorbid conditions with least nutritional deficiency. However, long-term studies are needed.

Intra-capsular total thyroid enucleation versus total thyroidectomy in treatment of benign multinodular goiter. A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Due to high recurrence rate after subtotal thyroidectomy, most of centers have shifted to total thyroidectomy as a surgical treatment for benign multinodular goiter (BMNG), but serious complications, as laryngeal nerve affection & hypocalcaemia, are still present. This study aimed to evaluate treatment of BMNG using intra-capsular total thyroid enucleation in comparison to standard total thyroidectomy. PATIENTS &METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in a hospital in the period from December 2009 to December 2015. Of total 224 patients with clinically BMNG. 112 patients operated by intracapsular total thyroid enucleation (ITTE group) and the other 112 patients operated by standard total thyroidectomy (STT group). The minimal follow up period was 36 months. RESULTS: The mean operative time in ITTE group was (93.7 ± 9.6 min) compared to (86.9 ± 8.3 min) in STT group. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was 0% in ITTE group VS 7.1% in STT group. No cases (0%) developed permanent RLN palsy in ITTE group VS 0.9% in STT group. Symptomatic transient hypocalcaemia occurred in 1.8% in ITTE group VS 11.6% in STT group. No cases (0%) developed permanent hypocalcaemia in ITTE group VS 0.9% in STT group. No recurrence (0%) in both groups after minimal 3 years of follow up. CONCLUSION: Intracapsular Total thyroid enucleation technique is safe with the least serious complications, especially RLN injury and hypoparathyroidism, with no recurrence, but this technique still not radical so couldn't be used in suspicious cases for malignancy.

Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Trainees: Predictors and Results in an Academic Teaching Hospital.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the first laparoscopic procedures performed by surgical trainees. This study aims to determine preoperative and/or intraoperative predictors of difficult LC and to compare complications of LC performed by trainees with that performed by trained surgeons. A cohort of 180 consecutive patients with cholelithiasis who underwent LC was analyzed. We used univariate and binary logistic regression analyses to predict factors associated with difficult LC. We compared the rate of complications of LCs performed by trainees and that performed by trained surgeons using Pearson's chi-square test. Patients with impacted stone in the neck of the gallbladder (GB) (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.59-15.77), with adhesions in the Triangle of Calot (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.27-6.83), or with GB rupture (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.02-11.41) were more likely to experience difficult LC. There was no difference between trainees and trained surgeons in the rate of cystic artery injury (p = .144) or GB rupture (p = .097). However, operative time of LCs performed by trained surgeons was significantly shorter (median, 45 min; IQR, 30-70 min) compared with the surgical trainees' operative time (60 min; IQR, 50-90 min). Surgical trainees can perform difficult LC safely under supervision with no increase in complications albeit with mild increase in operative time.

Retroinfundibular laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in difficult cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy becomes the gold standard surgical procedure for treating gallstones. Standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC) requires proper dissection of Calot's triangle to achieve the critical view of safety. This may be difficult in certain conditions, resulting in higher incidence of bile duct injury and conversion to open. We aimed to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy by retroinfundibular (RI) approach to that of SLC, in difficult cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is prospective cohort study, in which 60 patients were operated by SLC and 65 patients by laparoscopic cholecystectomy by RI approach. RESULTS: From the total 125 cases, 95 (76%) patients were male and 30 (24%) were female. The mean age was 59.5 ± 5.5 years. The mean operative time in SLC group was 128 ± 17 min VS. 114 ± 10 min in RI group. Conversion to open occurred in 10% in SLC group VS. 1.5% in RI group. Biliary injury occurred in 3.3% in SLC group VS. 0% in RI group. The mean hospital stay in SLC was 3.7 ± 5.3 days VS. 2.1 ± 0.3 days in RI group. CONCLUSION: In difficult cholecystectomy, RI approach is feasible and safe alternative to SLC.

Karydakis Flap With Compressing Tie-over Interrupted Sutures Without Drain versus Standard Karydakis for Treatment of Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus Disease.

BACKGROUND: Sacroccygeal pilonidal sinus disease is a worldwide health problem, affecting young adults, mainly males, with a tendency for recurrence. Various modalities have been used for treating this condition. The Karydakis procedure is one of most commonly used asymmetric flaps for treating this condition. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the Karydakis procedure with tie-over compressing sutures instead of the routine use of a drain in the treatment pilonidal sinus. DESIGN: This prospective randomized controlled clinical study was conducted between January 2010 and January 2015. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at Minia University Hospital. PATIENTS: The study included 154 patients. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups. INTERVENTIONS: The patients in group 1 were operated on by the standard Karydakis procedure, and the patients in group 2 were operated on by the Karydakis procedure with tie-over compressing sutures without a drain. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were the incidence of seroma formation, wound complications, length of hospital stay, off-work time, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: All patients were discharged on the same day of surgery in group 2 compared with a mean hospital stay of 4.9 ± 2.4 days in group 1. No patients developed seroma in group 2 compared with 7.8% in group 1. In group 2, 1.3% of patients developed wound infection compared with 9.1% in group 1. The average time for return to work in group 2 was 10.2 ± 1.4 days compared with 12.6 ± 4 days in group 1. No recurrences were noted in group 2 compared with 2.6% in group 1. LIMITATIONS: The feedback about postoperative pain and patient satisfaction about the scar were not investigated. The extent of the disease in both groups was not investigated. The duration of follow-up too short to accurately weight recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Karydakis flap with tie-over compressing interrupted sutures without a drain is safe, 1-day surgery with the lowest complications rate.