Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: results from a single surgical bariatric centre.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure. Patients ineligible for bariatric surgery due to comorbidities or low Body Mass Index (BMI) were offered ESG. Gastric tubularization was carried out via multiple multi-bite sutures across the greater curvature of the stomach. The patients underwent a water-soluble swallow test on post-operative day 1 (POD-1) to assess gastric emptying and were placed on a soft diet if upper GI tract function was confirmed. From January 2019 to March 2022, 27 patients underwent ESG: 14 for severe obesity with comorbidities, including liver transplant, end-stage kidney disease, severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The mean BMI before treatment was 36 ± 9 kg/m2. Two patients (7%) who developed gastric bleeding were successfully treated with packed red blood cells (PRBC) transfusions. After a mean follow-up of 18 months, the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) and the percentage of excess weight (%EWL) were 11 ± 7 and 39 ± 27, respectively. The latter was significantly higher in the patients with an initial BMI < 40 kg/m2 (50 vs 22, p < 0.05). The patients whose gastric sleeve extended for more than a third of the length of the stomach (p < 0.05) had better results. ESG was found to be effective and safe in high-risk surgical patients whose initial BMI was (< 40). Studies characterized by larger number of patients and longer follow-up periods will be able to confirm these results.

Biomechanics of stomach tissues and structure in patients with obesity.

Even though bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatment option of obesity, post-surgical weight loss is not always ensured, especially in the long term, when many patients experience weight regain. Bariatric procedures are largely based on surgeon's expertise and intra-operative decisions, while an integrated in-silico approach could support surgical activity. The effects of bariatric surgery on gastric distension, which activates the neural circuitry promoting satiety, can be considered one of the main factors in the operation success. This aspect can be investigated trough computational modelling based on the mechanical properties of stomach tissues and structure. Mechanical tests on gastric tissues and structure from people with obesity are carried out, as basis for the development of a computational model. The samples are obtained from stomach residuals explanted during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy interventions. Uniaxial tensile and stress relaxation tests are performed in different directions and inflation tests are carried out on the entire stomach residual. Experimental results show anisotropic, non-linear elastic and time-dependent behavior. In addition, the mechanical properties demonstrate to be dependent on the sample location within the stomach. Inflation tests confirm the characteristics of time-dependence and non-linear elasticity of the stomach wall. Experimental activities developed provide a unique set of data about the mechanical behavior of the stomach of patients with obesity, considering both tissues and structure. This data set can be adopted for the development of computational models of the stomach, as support to the rational investigation of biomechanical aspects of bariatric surgery.

Omentopexy with Glubran®2 for reducing complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: results of a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric fistulas, bleeding, and strictures are commonly reported after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), that increase morbidity and hospital stay and may put the patient's life at risk. We report our prospective evaluation of application of synthetic sealant, a modified cyanoacrylate (Glubran®2), on suture rime, associated with omentopexy, to identify results on LSG-related complications. METHODS: Patients were enrolled for LSG by two Bariatric Centers, with high-level activity volume. Intraoperative recorded parameters were: operative time, estimated intraoperative bleeding, conversion rate. We prospectively evaluated the presence of early complications after LSG during the follow up period. Overall complications were analyzed. Perioperative data and weight loss were also evaluated. A control group was identified for the study. RESULTS: Group A (treated with omentopexy with Glubran®2) included 96 cases. Control group included 90 consecutive patients. There were no differences among group in terms of age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI). No patient was lost to follow-up for both groups. Overall complication rate was significantly reduced in Group A. Mean operative time and estimated bleeding did not differ from control group. We observed three postoperative leaks in Group B, while no case in Group A (not statistical significancy). We did not observe any mortality, neither reoperation. Weight loss of the cohort was similar among groups. In our series, no leaks occurred applying omentopexy with Glubran®2. CONCLUSION: Our experience of omentopexy with a modified cyanoacrylate sealant may lead to a standardized and reproducible approach that can be safeguard for long LSG-suture rime. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospective registration on clinicaltrials.gov PRS, with TRN NCT03833232 (14/02/2019).

Systematic Endoscopy 5 Years After Sleeve Gastrectomy Results in a High Rate of Barrett's Esophagus: Results of a Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has indicated an increased risk of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in the long term after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). AIM: The aim of the study is to investigate the spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms as well as the prevalence of BE, at minimum 5 years after SG in patients who underwent SG in different bariatric centers of two countries: France and Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five high volume outpatient centers dedicated to bariatric surgery that routinely perform upper GI endoscopy before any bariatric procedures were invited to participate in the study. From January 2017 to June 2018, each center during scheduled postoperative evaluation after surgery asked a minimum 10 consecutive patients, which had performed SG at least 5 years before and with no evidence of BE preoperatively, to undergo another upper GI endoscopy. RESULTS: Ninety (66 F) consecutive patients were enrolled. The mean follow-up was 78 ± 15 months, and the mean total body weight loss was 25 ± 12%. The prevalence of BE was 18.8% with no significant difference among centers. Weight loss failure was significantly associated with BE (p < 0.01). The prevalence of GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, and the usage of PPIs increased from 22%, 10%, and 22% before the SG to 76%, 41%, and 52% at the time of follow-up, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study show a high rate of BE at least 5 years after SG. Weight loss failure was significantly associated with BE. We suggest to provide systematic endoscopy in these patients to rule out this condition.

Pre-operative Very Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) vs. Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD): Surgical Impact.

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative diet may play an important role as far as patients' fitness for surgery, post-operative outcomes, and successful weight loss. Our aim was to compare surgical outcome and weight loss in two groups of patients who were offered two different pre-operative kinds of diet: very low calorie diet (VLCD) and very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD). METHODS: Patients candidate for bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) were registered and assessed according to pre- and post-diet BMI, operative time, hospital stay, drainage output, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Patients' preference influenced the type of diet. RESULTS: From January to December 2016, 178 patients (139 F and 39 M) were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 43 years. In total, 72 patients were on VLCKD while 106 patients on VLCD. Pre-diet mean BMI was 46.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2 for VLCKD group and 43.1 ± 6.9 kg/m2 for VLCD group, while immediately pre-op BMI were 43.9 ± 5.9 kg/m2 and 41.9 ± 6.8 kg/m2, respectively. Drainage output and hemoglobin levels after surgery resulted significantly correlated with diet induced BMI reduction (141.2 ± 75.8 vs. 190.7 ± 183.6 ml, p = 0.032; 13.1 ± 1.2 vs. 12.7 ± 1.5 g/l, p = 0.04). The percentage of patients requiring a hospital stay longer than anticipated (> 3 days) was 2.8% in the VLCKD group and 10.4% in the VLCD group (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, VLCKD showed better results than VLCD on surgical outcome, influencing drainage output, post-operative hemoglobin levels, and hospital stay.

Relationship between gastric pouch and weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is considered safe and effective even as conversion procedure after primary bariatric operations. The correlation between gastric pouch volumes and patients weight loss remains unclear. METHODS: To assess a correlation between the gastric remnant size and the weight loss, we reviewed 49 consecutive barium swallow UGS performed at our institute from August 2012 through May 2014 in LSG patients with symptoms and/or unsatisfactory weight loss. The anteroposterior (AP), laterolateral (LL) and vertical (CC) diameters of the gastric pouch were measured to calculate the volume by the formula of the ellipsoid (AP × LL × CC × 0.5). Patients were divided in two groups: group 1 without gastric pouch (n = 36) and group 2 with gastric pouch (n = 13). Correlation between pouch volume and weight loss data was calculated with t Student's and Fisher tests to compare the percent excess body mass index (BMI) and percent excess body mass loss (EBL) between two groups, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean percent EBL was 26.54 ± 11.02 and 27.12 ± 12.35 kg/m(2) in groups with and without pouch, respectively. The mean volume of the pouch after LSG was 17.13 ± 21.56 mm(3). Pouch volume, when present, was not significantly correlated to weight loss (P = 0.88 95% CI, CL 19.88-33.20 group 2; CL 22.94-31.30 group 1). CONCLUSIONS: No statistical correlation was found between the volume of the gastric pouch and weight loss (percent EBL) after LSG in symptomatic or with unsatisfactory weight loss patients.

Laparoscopic Gastric Plication: An Emerging Bariatric Procedure with High Surgical Revision Rate.

Introduction: Laparoscopic gastric plication (LGCP) reduces gastric volume without resecting or implanting a foreign body. Although still considered investigational, it could be appropriate for young patients with a low body mass index (BMI) and for those unwilling to undergo sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, or bypass. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the mid-term results (2 years) of LGCP in terms of safety and efficacy. Methods: A total of 56 obese patients (47 female; mean age=30.5±11.7 years; mean BMI=40.31±4.7 kg/m2) were candidates for LGCP from January 2011 to October 2013. Early and late complications, BMI, and excess BMI loss (EBL) were prospectively recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months follow-up. Results: Mean operative time was 72.4±15.6 minutes. No conversion was required. Mean hospital stay was 3 days. Mean %EBL was 34.3±18.40%, 40.1±24.5%, 47.4±30.2%, 46.5±34.6%, 47.8±43.2%, and 55.3±53.6% at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. The overall complication rate was 32.14%. Perioperative mortality was zero. Surgical revision was needed in 30 patients: 12 for unsatisfactory weight loss and 18 for gastric prolapse (one acute within 30 days), respectively. Conclusion: LGCP showed high complication rates requiring surgical revision.

Laparoscopic Gastric Plication (LGCP) Vs Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG): A Single Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) both reduce gastric capacity, either by in-folding (LGCP) or removing (LSG) the greater curvature. While mid and long-term results of LSG are well known, LGCP is still considered investigational. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of LGCP and LSG in terms of weight loss and safety. METHODS: Forty-five obese LGCP patients (6 males and 39 females) were matched with 45 LSG patients. The two groups were matched according to sex, age ± 10 years and BMI ± 1 kg/m(2). Surgical complication rate, redo surgery need, excess BMI loss (%EBL) and mean BMI at 3 and 6 months were compared. RESULTS: LGCP and LSG mean age was 37.8 and 40 years, while the mean preoperative BMI was 40.65 and 41 kg/m(2), respectively. There was no difference in operative time, complication rate, mean BMI and %EBL at 3 months. Redo surgery rate was higher in LGCP group (LGCP 60 % vs LSG 8.8 %, P < 0.0001). The mean time to redo surgery was longer in LSG group (23 ± 6.61 vs 17.3 ± 7.67 months, P = 0.0003). The mean BMI at 6 months was lower in LSG group (32 ± 5.7 vs 34.6 ± 5.3, P = 0.028). The mean %EBL at 6 months was higher in LSG group (57 ± 30.89 vs 40.2 ± 25, P = 0.0057). CONCLUSIONS: LGCP patients required more redo surgery. Weight loss was greater in LSG group at 6-month follow-up.

Residual fundus or neofundus after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: is fundectomy safe and effective as revision surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Up to 30 % of patients who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy require revision surgery for inadequate weight loss, weight regain, and/or the development of severe upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic fundectomy (LF) in cases of a residual fundus/neofundus development regarding GERD symptoms. METHODS: The study group comprised 19 patients (17 female; mean BMI 35.4 kg/m(2)) divided into 2 groups. Group A (n = 10) patients with severe GERD and evidence of residual fundus/neofundus, Hiatal hernia with good results in terms of weight loss. Group B (n = 9) patients with severe GERD, a residual fundus/neofundus, inadequate weight loss or weight regain. Fundectomy was indicated when a residual fundus/neofundus was associated with severe GERD symptoms. The presence of a residual fundus/neofundus was assessed by a barium swallow and/or multislice computed tomography. RESULTS: No mortality or intra-operative complications occurred. Five postoperative complications occurred: 2 cases of bleeding, 1 mid-gastric stenosis and 2 leaks (10.5 %). All patients experienced improvements in their GERD symptoms and stopped PPI treatment. Group B exhibited an additional %EWL of 53.4 % at 24 months. CONCLUSION: LF and cruroplasty is feasible and has good results in terms of GERD symptoms control and additional weight loss. The high rate of postoperative complications observed in this series remains a matter of concern. A re-sleeve procedure might be considered as an alternative to RYGB/DS conversion restricted to selected patients.