Could intraoperative magnesium sulphate protect against postoperative cognitive dysfunction?

BACKGROUND: Although there is much concern about the pathogenesis of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD); no effective prevention strategies are currently described. The aim of this work was to study whether intraoperative magnesium sulphate could have a protective effect against developing POCD and to study its impact on serum level of S100B, a marker of neuronal degeneration. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial carried out on 80 participants undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 40 participants received conventional general anesthesia (conventional anesthesia group) and 40 participants received conventional general anesthesia with extra administration of intraoperative magnesium sulphate (Mg sulphate group). Cognitive assessment for both groups was done preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively using Paired Associate Learning test (PALT) and Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT). Quantitative determination of serum S100B was done for both groups preoperatively and one week postoperatively by using an enzyme- linked immunoabsorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Postoperative PALT and BVRT were significantly lower than preoperative PALT and BVRT in the conventional anesthesia group (P value =0.043, P value =0.015 respectively), but not in the Mg sulphate group (P value =0.134, P value =0.151 respectively). Postoperative S100B was significantly higher than preoperative S100B in the conventional anesthesia group (P value =0.006), but not in the Mg sulphate group (P value =0.293). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of intravenous infusion of magnesium sulphate during conventional general anesthesia can protect against POCD and attenuate the post operative elevation of serum S100B.

Conventional Versus Distal Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: a Randomized Controlled Trial with 1-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the ideal small bowel length that should be bypassed in laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of conventional versus distal techniques of laparoscopic OAGB. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved 60 adults with morbid obesity scheduled for laparoscopic OAGB randomly assigned to one of the two techniques; conventional technique (fixed anastomosis 200 cm from the ligament of Treitz) and distal technique (anastomosis 400 cm from the ileocecal valve). Total small bowel length (TSBL) was measured in all cases. Quality of life was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Outcome measures were excess body weight loss percentage (EBWL%), resolution of associated comorbidities, frequency of nutritional deficiencies, and quality of life. RESULTS: No patients were lost to follow-up. The two groups were comparable in TSBL, EBWL%, and complete resolution of comorbidities up to 12 months. The percentage of afferent loop length to TSBL was significantly higher in the distal group (p < 0.001) but was not correlated with EBWL%. The levels of hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, iron, and albumin were significantly lower and parathormone hormone was higher in the distal group. The GIQLI score was significantly higher in the conventional group during follow-up. CONCLUSION: OAGB achieves optimum results when the afferent loop length is 200 cm; bypassing more than 200 cm does not improve weight loss or comorbidity resolution. Measuring TSBL is recommended to avoid excessive small bowel shortening that increases the risk of nutritional consequences.

Effect of oral ursodeoxycholic acid on cholelithiasis following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a definitive solution for morbid obesity and its related co-morbidities. Cholelithiasis is a postoperative complication of LSG. The use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) after LSG is a proposed solution to reduce the incidence of cholelithiasis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of UDCA prophylaxis on cholelithiasis following LSG in morbidly obese patients. SETTING: Two university hospitals in Egypt, Cairo, and Beni Suef Universities' hospitals. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between July 2015 and March 2018 and included 200 patients scheduled for LSG. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The UDCA group received a postoperative prophylaxis regimen for prevention of cholelithiasis in the form of 250 mg twice daily of UDCA for 6 months. The control group did not receive prophylactic treatment. Abdominal ultrasound was done at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for all patients to detect cholelithiasis. The primary outcome measure was cholelithiasis. RESULTS: Only 6% of the UDCA group developed cholelithiasis compared with 40% in the control group (P < .001). Age, sex, initial body mass index, and excess weight loss at 6 months did not significantly affect cholelithiasis. CONCLUSION: UDCA treatment for 6 months after LSG is effective in the prevention of cholelithiasis.