Convincing 10-Year Follow-up Results of the Banded Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown the positive effect on weight loss of the banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (BRYGB). Thus far, studies describing the 10-year post-operative results are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the weight loss results, effect on associated medical problems, and complication rates during 10 years of follow-up after BRYGB. METHOD: Data were collected from patients who underwent laparoscopic BRYGB with a non-adjustable silicone gastric ring between January 2011 and March 2013. All patients were included when found to be eligible according to the IFSO criteria. RESULTS: One hundred forty-nine patients were included, 110 received a primary BRYGB and 39 received a conversional BRYGB. The primary BRYGB group consisted of 68% female patients with a mean BMI of 44.5 kg/m2 and a mean age of 46 years old. The conversional group consisted of 77% females and had a mean BMI of 34.8 kg/m2 and a mean age of 48 years. At 10-year follow-up, 67.1% of the data was available. Ten-year post-operative 30% total weight loss was seen in the primary group, and 7% in the conversional group. In 10 years, 23% of the patients had complications of which half were ring-related. CONCLUSION: The addition of a silicon ring to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may result in substantial and stable weight loss maintenance 10 years post-operative. Furthermore, the number of patients with long-term complications was low and the number of associated medical problems was significantly reduced.

Perforation of stomach lining 1 year after POSE procedure.

The primary obesity surgery endoscopic, or POSE, is an endoscopic procedure where sutures are placed in the stomach to reduce its size and achieve weight loss. This procedure is regarded as a safe procedure with little minor or major adverse events. We describe the case of a woman who presented with a perforation of the stomach lining 1 year after a POSE procedure at the site of a snowshoe anchor. This has not been described previously as a late complication. The perforation was treated surgically by removing the anchor and closing the defect. Later analysis revealed an active Helicobacter pylori infection.

Laparoscopic Conversion of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Gives Better Result Compared to an Open Approach.

BACKGROUND: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) has a relatively high failure rate in the long run, requiring revisional surgery in 30-65%. A common conversion option is to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), which can be performed laparoscopically or open. Current literature contains small cohorts and inconclusive results. Therefore, we set out to compare our series of open and laparoscopic VBG to RYGB conversions. METHODS: All conversions performed between 1996 and 2020 were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on conversion indication: weight recurrence (group 1), excessive weight loss (group 2), and eating/pouch difficulties (group 3). The primary outcome was postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. Secondary outcome was %total weight loss (%TWL) 1 to 5 years after revisional surgery. RESULTS: We included 205 patients (84.9% female) of whom 105 underwent laparoscopic and 100 open VBG to RYGB conversion. Twenty-three short-term complications occurred in the laparoscopic group, with 16 > CD3a. In the open group, 33 complications occurred with 12 > CD3a. Overall complications were 33.3% in laparoscopic and 64% in open patients. There were no significant differences between the laparoscopic and open group in BMI (p = 0.76) and %TWL (p = 0.694) after 5 years. After 5 years, lost to follow-up was 97% in the open group. Twenty-eight percent of patients who reached follow-up in the laparoscopic group had available data. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that the overall complication rate is lower in the laparoscopic group compared to the open group. Regarding BMI, an improvement was achieved in both groups after 5 years.

The Swallowable Intragastric Balloon Combined with Lifestyle Coaching: Short-Term Results of a Safe and Effective Weight Loss Treatment for People Living with Overweight and Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with overweight or obesity are not eligible for surgery according to international guidelines or do not wish a surgical intervention. For these patients, different treatment options are being explored. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of the swallowable intragastric balloon (IB) combined with lifestyle coaching, in patients living with overweight and obesity. METHOD: A retrospective data study was conducted on patients with a swallowable IB placement between December 2018 and July 2021, combined with a 12-month coaching program. Before balloon placement, patients underwent multidisciplinary screening. The IB was swallowed and filled with fluid once in the stomach and naturally excreted around 16 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients, 71.7% female, were included with a mean age of 45.7 (±11.7) years. Mean baseline weight and BMI were 107.54 (±19.16) kg and 36.1 (±5.02) kg/m2. After 1 year, the mean total weight loss was 11.0% (±8.4). The mean placement duration was 13.1 (±2.82) min, and in 43.7%, a stylet was used to facilitate placement. The most common symptoms were nausea (80.4%) and gastric pain (80.3%). In the majority of patients, complaints were resolved within a week. The early deflation of the balloon occurred in 8 patients (2.4%) of which one showed symptoms suggesting a gastric outlet obstruction. CONCLUSION: Given the low rate of long-term complaints while providing a positive effect on weight loss, we conclude that the swallowable intragastric balloon, combined with lifestyle coaching, is a safe and effective treatment option for patients living with overweight and obesity.

Higher Preoperative Weight loss Is Associated with Greater Weight Loss up to 12 Months After Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Prior research suggested presurgical weight loss is associated with greater total weight loss, resulting in a more effective bariatric intervention. We aimed to assess whether preoperative weight loss is a predictor for total weight loss, and which patient factors are associated with successful weight loss. METHODS: All patients (N = 773) that underwent primary bariatric surgery between June 2017 and August 2019 were included in this single-center retrospective study. Outcome measures were preoperative weight loss (%preopWL) and total weight loss (%TWL) up to 1 year postoperatively. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on quartiles of %preopWL. RESULTS: Total weight loss after 1, 6, and 12 months for the upper quartile was 16.9%, 33.4%, and 37.8%, and for the lower quartile 11.8%, 28.9%, and 35.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). Seven hundred fourteen patients (92.4%) were available for the 1-year follow-up. Preoperative weight loss was not associated with the incidence of complications. Independent factors predicting increased %preopWL were mandated preoperative weight loss program (MWP) (p < 0.001), older age (p = 0.005), weight measurement in the week before surgery (p = 0.031), and non-diabetic status (p = 0.010). Predictors for superior %TWL were MWP (p = 0.014), younger age (p = 0.001), non-diabetic status (p = 0.005), female gender (p = 0.001), higher Body Mass Index (p = 0.006), and banded gastric bypass (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher preoperative weight loss is associated with persisting greater weight loss up to at least 12 months post-surgery. In order to optimize preoperative weight loss, we recommend extra preoperative support to younger and diabetic patients. We advise nutritional counseling and additional weight measurement in the week before surgery.

The Benefits of Banded over Non-banded Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Patients with Morbid Obesity: a Multi-center Study.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has proven to be an effective treatment for obesity with excellent long-term results, even though weight regain can occur. A method to improve the results of RYGB and minimize chance of weight regain is banded RYGB. Better sustained weight loss is also related to higher remission of comorbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of banded and non-banded RYGB on long-term weight loss results and comorbidities. METHOD: A retrospective comparative data study was performed. Patients who underwent a primary RYGB between July 2013 and December 2014 and followed a 5-year follow-up program in the Dutch Obesity Clinic were included. Comorbidities were assessed during screening and follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 375 patients with mean weight and body mass index (BMI) of 128.9 (± 21.2) kg and 44.50 (± 5.72) kg/m2. Of this group, 184 patients underwent RYGB and 191 banded RYGB. During follow-up (3 months, 1-5 years) % Total Weight Loss (%TWL) was superior in the banded group (32.6% vs 27.6% at 5 years post-operative, p < 0.001). Complication rates in both groups were similar. Comorbidity improvement or remission did not significantly differ between the two groups (p = 0.14-1.00). After 5 years of follow-up, 79 patients (20.5%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Banded RYGB does show superior weight loss compared to non-banded RYGB. No difference in effect on comorbidity improvement or remission was observed. Since complication rates are similar, while weight loss is significantly greater, we recommend performing banded RYGB over non-banded RYGB.