ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) through placement of the LINX device is an alternative to fundoplication in the management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess efficacy, quality of life and safety in patients that underwent MSA, with a comparison to fundoplication. METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases was performed for studies that reported data on outcomes of MSA, with or without a comparison group undergoing fundoplication, for GERD from January 2000 to January 2023. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect models and between-study heterogeneity was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies with 8,075 patients were included: 6,983 patients underwent MSA and 1,092 patients had laparoscopic fundoplication procedure. Ten of these studies (seven retrospective and three prospective) directly compared MSA with fundoplication. A higher proportion of individuals successfully discontinued proton-pump inhibitors (P<0.001; WMD 0.83; 95% CI 0.72-0.93; I2=96.8%) and had higher patient satisfaction (P<0.001; WMD 0.85; 95% CI 0.78-0.93; I2=85.2%) following MSA when compared to fundoplication. Functional outcomes were better after MSA than after fundoplication including ability to belch (P<0.001; WMD 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.98; I2=67.8) and emesis (P<0.001; WMD 0.92; 95% CI 0.89-0.95; I2=42.8%), and bloating (P=0.003; WMD 0.20; 95% CI 0.07-0.33; I2=97.0%). MSA had higher rates of dysphagia (P=0.001; WMD 0.41; 95% CI 0.17-0.65; I2=97.3%) when compared to fundoplication. The overall erosion and removal rate following MSA was 0.24% and 3.9% respectively, with no difference in surgical re-intervention rates between MSA and fundoplication (P=0.446; WMD 0.001; 95% CI -0.001-0.002; I2 =78.5%). CONCLUSIONS: MSA is a safe and effective procedure at reducing symptom burden of GERD and can potentially improve patient satisfaction and functional outcomes. However, randomized controlled trials directly comparing MSA with fundoplication are necessary to determine where MSA precisely fits in the management pathway of GERD.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Video recording of surgical procedures is increasing in popularity. They are presented in various platforms, many of which are not peer-reviewed. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) videos are widely available; however, there is limited evidence supporting the use of reporting guidelines when uploading LSG videos to create a valuable educational video. We aimed to determine the variations and establish the quality of published LSG videos, in both peer-reviewed literature and on YouTube, using a newly designed checklist to improve the quality and enhance the transparency of video reporting. METHODS: A quality assessment tool was designed by using existing research and society guidelines, such as the Bariatric Metabolic Surgery Standardization (BMSS). A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines was performed on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify video case reports (academic videos) and a similar search was performed on the commercial YouTube platform (commercial videos) simultaneously. All videos displaying LSG were reviewed and scored using the quality assessment tool. Academic and commercial videos were subsequently compared and an evidence-based checklist was created. RESULTS: A total of 93 LSG recordings including 26 academic and 67 commercial videos were reviewed. Mean score of the checklist was 5/11 and 4/11 for videos published in articles and YouTube, respectively. Academic videos had higher rates of describing instruments used, such as orogastric tube (P < 0.001) and stapler information (P = 0.04). Fifty-four percent of academic videos described short-term patient outcomes, while not reported in commercial videos (P < 0.001). Sleeve resection status was not universally reported. CONCLUSIONS: Videos published in the academic literature are describing steps in greater detail with more emphasis on specific technical elements and patient outcomes and thus have a higher educational value. A new quality assessment tool has been proposed for video reporting guidelines to improve the reliability and value of published video research.
