Why We Think Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Is a Good Operation: Step-by-Step Technique.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the world, with 75% of the primary procedures performed in the United States. It is a safe and effective primary bariatric procedure with good weight loss. When comparing with other procedures, LSG is limited to the stomach, avoiding the presence of internal hernias, preserving the pyloric anatomy, with normal gastric emptying, and conveying less severe rebound hypoglycemia. Materials and Methods: We describe the technique, step-by-step, we use to perform a sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and analyze why we think it is a good surgery. Results: The highlights of a safer SG systematization are based on minimum 36F bougie calibration, starting 4-5 cm from the pylorus, keeping ∼1 cm distance from esophagus. We routinely use staple line reinforcement by continuous suture. Comparing with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, less bowel obstruction, less dumping syndromes, less hypoglycemia, and also less ulcers are described. Conclusion: LSG is a safe and effective primary bariatric procedure with durable weight loss. And when comparing with others with intestinal anastomosis, we found fewer complications such as less internal hernias, access to the bile duct after surgery, and has the great advantage that it can be revised when it fails.

Percutaneous Image-Guided Abdominal Interventions for Leaks and Fistulas Following Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery offers the only effective long-term weight loss therapy for morbidly obese patients. Numerous studies have demonstrated a mortality and morbidity reduction associated with weight loss surgery, but these interventions also have significant rates of complications. It is important for the bariatric surgeons to recognize these complications and acknowledge which of them can be solved in a minimally invasive manner in order to offer to patients the best treatment. The aim of this article was to review factors and success rates associated with percutaneous image guide abdominal interventions to treat the complications of bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study. Eighty-two patients with complications after bariatric surgery were included. Of these, 56 presented fistula with or without abdominal collection. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 54% are male and 46% female. The average age was 49.4 (range 16-62). Of the 56 cases, 37 (66.1%) occurred after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and 19 (33.9%) post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The fistula was resolved by percutaneous image guide abdominal interventions in 49 opportunities, of which 67% required only conservative treatment afterwards, the remaining 33% required endoscopic treatment with prostheses, fibrin sealants, and/or clips. No mortality was reported in the series. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous image-guided abdominal interventions play a significant role in the treatment of complications following bariatric surgery. The minimally invasive treatment of fistula after bariatric surgery is safe and effective.

A review of studies comparing three laparoscopic procedures in bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding.

Obesity is a major worldwide problem in public health, reaching epidemic proportions in many countries, especially in urbanized regions. Bariatric procedures have been shown to be more effective in the management of morbid obesity, compared to medical treatments in terms of weight loss and its sustainability. The two most commonly performed procedures are laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and the novel laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The MEDLINE database (cutoff date September 2010), LILACS, and the Cochrane Library were searched using the key words "gastric bypass," "sleeve gastrectomy," and "gastric banding." Only studies that compared at least two of the laparoscopic procedures were included. Reviews and meta-analysis, editorial letters or comments, case reports, animal or in vitro studies, comparisons with medical treatment, comparisons with open (non-laparoscopic) procedures were excluded. Most studies indicated that LRYGB and LSG could be more effective achieving weight loss than LAGB. However, LAGB seems to be a safer procedure with frequent, but less severe, long-term complications. Although not uniformly reported, a resolution of obesity-related comorbidities was achieved with most bariatric procedures. The three procedures have acceptable efficacy and safety. We believe that patients should be informed in detail on the advantages and disadvantages of each available procedure, possibly in several interviews and always accompanied by a specialized interdisciplinary team, warranting long-term follow-up.

New hybrid approach for NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy: preliminary clinical experience.

OBJECTIVES: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represents the first step toward scar-less surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate early clinical results of transvaginal cholecystectomy using a new technique. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained and transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy was performed in 12 women for cholelithiasis. A 2-channel videoendoscope was inserted in the abdominal cavity through a posterior colpotomy. Two 3-mm trocars were inserted deep in the umbilicus, and a 10-mm trocar was placed through the colpotomy parallel to the endoscope. Dissection was performed with endoscopic instruments combined with 3-mm laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 125.8 minutes. All procedures occurred without intraoperative complications or conversions, except for 1 vulvar laceration. There were no postoperative complications in the clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal NOTES is a feasible and safe alternative for cholecystectomy in this preliminary clinical experience, allowing good cosmetic benefits and low analgesic requirement.

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal cholecystectomy in a morbidly obese patient.

Transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new diagnostic and potentially therapeutic method of surgical endoscopy. The first case of NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy in a morbid obese patient in the literature is described. IRB approval was obtained at the institution for transvaginal NOTES clinical trials. A 58-year-old female patient with cholelithiasis, hypertension, and type II diabetes, and BMI of 35.8 kg/m(2) was submitted to the technique. After transvaginal access, a two-channel gastroscope was introduced into the abdominal cavity along with a laparoscopic trocar. There were 2 umbilical punctures for use of 3 mm laparoscopic equipment. Operative time was 85 min. There was no use of postoperative analgesia, and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Transvaginal NOTES is a feasible alternative method for cholecystectomy in the morbidly obese, although available technology is limited for natural orifice surgery.