Bariatric Surgery in Patients on Chronic Anticoagulation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative management of chronically anti-coagulated patients undergoing bariatric surgery requires a balance of managing hemorrhagic and thromboembolic risks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of hemorrhagic complications and their management in chronically anticoagulated (CAT) patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of CAT patients undergoing bariatric surgery at an academic center from 2008 to 2015 was studied. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients on CAT underwent surgery [Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 79), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 63), and adjustable gastric banding (n = 11)] during the study period: 85 patients (55%) were females; median age was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR] 49-64), and median BMI was 49 kg/m2 (IQR 43-56). The most common indications for CAT were venous thromboembolism (n = 87) and atrial fibrillation (n = 83). Median duration of procedure and estimated intraoperative blood loss was 150 min (IQR 118-177) and 50 ml (IQR 25-75), respectively. Thirty-day postoperative complications were reported in 33 patients (21.6%) including postoperative bleeding (n = 19), anastomotic leak (n = 3), and pulmonary embolism (n = 1). Nineteen patients (12%) with early postoperative bleeding were further categorized to intra-abdominal (n = 10), intraluminal (n = 6), and at the port site or abdominal wall (n = 3). All-cause readmissions within 30 days of surgery occurred in 19 patients (12%). There was no 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: In our experience, patients who require chronic anticoagulation medication are higher than average risk for postoperative complications and all-cause readmission rates. Careful surgical technique and close attention to postoperative anticoagulation protocols are essential to decrease perioperative risk in this high-risk cohort.

Efficacy of adjuvant weight loss medication after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Some patients do not achieve optimal weight loss or regain weight after bariatric surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant weight loss medications after surgery for this group of patients. SETTING: An academic medical center. METHODS: Weight changes of patients who received weight loss medications after bariatric surgery from 2012 to 2015 at a single center were studied. RESULTS: Weight loss medications prescribed for 209 patients were phentermine (n = 156, 74.6%), phentermine/topiramate extended release (n = 25, 12%), lorcaserin (n = 18, 8.6%), and naltrexone slow-release/bupropion slow-release (n = 10, 4.8%). Of patients, 37% lost>5% of their total weight 1 year after pharmacotherapy was prescribed. There were significant differences in weight loss at 1 year in gastric banding versus sleeve gastrectomy patients (4.6% versus .3%, P = .02) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy patients (2.8% versus .3%, P = .01).There was a significant positive correlation between body mass index at the start of adjuvant pharmacotherapy and total weight loss at 1 year (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant weight loss medications halted weight regain in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. More than one third achieved>5% weight loss with the addition of weight loss medication. The observed response was significantly better in gastric bypass and gastric banding patients compared with sleeve gastrectomy patients. Furthermore, adjuvant pharmacotherapy was more effective in patients with higher body mass index. Given the low risk of medications compared with revisional surgery, it can be a reasonable option in the appropriate patients. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal medication and timing of adjuvant pharmacotherapy after bariatric surgery.

30-day readmission following weight loss surgery: can psychological factors predict nonspecific indications for readmission?

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day readmissions occur in 5% or more of bariatric surgery patients. Some readmissions relate directly to surgical risks, whereas others relate to more nonspecific complaints or nonadherence and may reflect risks outside of the surgical procedure. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether presurgical psychosocial factors are related to readmission. SETTING: Tertiary/quaternary academic referral center. METHODS: Bariatric surgery patients readmitted within 30 days of surgery during 2012-2015 were identified (n = 102). Patients were matched (2:1) on body mass index, age, sex, and race to 204 nonreadmitted patients. Psychiatric variables and psychological testing (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form) at intake were compared between the 2 groups. Among those readmitted, the indication for readmission was investigated. Those with specific complications (n = 61) were delineated from those with nonspecific indications (n = 33). RESULTS: Those with nonspecific readmissions were younger and more likely to be female. These patients were also less likely to be in outpatient psychiatric care than nonreadmitted patients. Significant differences were found on the Uncommon Virtues scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form, which reflects a tendency to underreport disinhibited behaviors. Those with nonspecific readmissions had significantly higher underreporting scores compared to those with specific indications or those not readmitted. CONCLUSIONS: Readmitted patients, particularly those with nonspecific indications, were more likely to presurgically present themselves in an overly positive manner. The tendency to underreport may affect the team's ability to identify risk factors that could be ameliorated before surgery. Readmitted patients were also less likely to be receiving mental health care. Such ongoing treatment may increase monitoring and/or adherence after surgery.

The feasibility of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for identifying and assessing the perfusion of parathyroid glands during total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: There are limited adjuncts available for identifying and assessing the viability of parathyroid glands (PGs) during total thyroidectomy (TT). The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) imaging in identifying and assessing perfusion of PGs during TT. METHODS: ICG was administered in patients undergoing TT and fluorescence of PGs was assessed. A grading scale was developed for assessing degree of ICG uptake. Patients were evaluated for hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism on post-operative day (POD) #1. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent TT with ICG imaging for multinodular goiter (n = 13), thyroid cancer (n = 10), and Graves' disease (n = 4). Eight-five PGs were identified visually, 71 (84%) of which showed ICG fluorescence. False negative rate was 6%. Post-operatively, three patients (11%) had a serum calcium value <8 mg/dl. ICG uptake after TT correlated with post-operative PTH levels: mean POD#1 PTH of those patients with at least two PGs exhibiting <30% fluorescence was 9 pg/ml; whereas those with fewer than two demonstrating <30% fluorescence had a POD#1 PTH of 19.5 pg/ml (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: ICG imaging of PGs during TT is feasible. ICG might be a useful adjunct in identifying those patients at risk for post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:775-778. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The utility of indocyanine green near infrared fluorescent imaging in the identification of parathyroid glands during surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative adjuncts for the localization of parathyroid glands in parathyroid surgery are limited. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). METHODS: ICG imaging was performed in 33 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy (PTX). Thyroid and parathyroid ICG uptake were assessed and independently verified on a grading scale. Clinical variables were recorded and analyzed for factors associated with ICG uptake. RESULTS: Of 112 glands identified by naked eye, 104 (92.9%) demonstrated ICG uptake. Concomitant ICG fluorescence was identified in the thyroid in all patients. There was a trend toward increased ICG fluorescence in patients <60 years of age (P = 0.05). A higher degree of fluorescence was seen in patients presenting with pre-operative calcium values >11 mg/dl (P = 0.04) and in those parathyroids larger than 10 mm (P < 0.01). All patients had biochemically proven cure. No patients who underwent subtotal PTX (n = 6) developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSION: ICG can reliably localize parathyroid glands during PTX and additionally allow for assessment of parathyroid perfusion in patients undergoing subtotal resection. Concomitant fluorescence of the thyroid gland limits ICG's usefulness in directing the course of PTX. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:771-774. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Laparoscopic management of liver metastases from uveal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Although uveal melanoma is a rare disease, its metastasis to the liver is associated with a poor survival. The aim of this study is to analyze the survival after surgical treatment of uveal melanoma metastases to the liver. METHODS: Within 15 years, 44 patients with uveal melanoma metastases to the liver were managed at a single center. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients who underwent surgical treatment of their liver disease. Clinical and oncologic results were compared to those patients who were managed otherwise. T test, Chi-square test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were 16 patients who underwent surgical treatment (laparoscopic liver resection, n = 2 and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation, n = 14), compared to 28 patients who received systemic therapy. The groups were similar regarding demographics and size of primary tumor. The interval between diagnoses of primary tumor and liver metastases was longer for the surgical group (58 vs 22 months, respectively, p = 0.010). Although the dominant liver tumor size was similar, the average number of liver tumors was 4 in the surgical group and 10 in the systemic therapy group (p < 0.0001). The median survival after diagnosis of liver metastases was 35 months in the surgical group and 15 months in the systemic therapy group (p ≤ 0.0001). Five-year survival was zero in the systemic therapy group and 22 % in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that surgical treatment of liver metastases in selected patients with uveal melanoma, who have limited liver tumor burden and a long interval to metastases development, may result in long-term survival.

Intraoperative tumor localization and tissue distinction during robotic adrenalectomy using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the feasibility of a method for intraoperative tumor localization and tissue distinction during robotic adrenalectomy (RA) via indocyanine green (ICG) imaging under near-infrared light. METHODS: Ten patients underwent RA. After exposure of the retroperitoneal space, but before adrenal dissection was started, ICG was given intravenously (IV). Fluorescence Firefly™ imaging was performed at 1-, 5-, 10-, and 20-min time points. The precision with which the borders of the adrenal tissue were distinguished with ICG imaging was compared to that with the conventional robotic view. The number and the total volume of injections for each patient were recorded. RESULTS: There were six male and four female patients. Diagnosis was primary hyperaldosteronism in four patients and myelolipoma, adrenocortical neoplasm, adrenocortical hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma, and metastasis in one patient each. Procedures were done through a robotic lateral transabdominal approach in nine and through a robotic posterior retroperitoneal approach in one patient. Dose per injection ranged between 2.5 and 6.3 mg and total dose per patient 7.5-18.8 mg. The adrenal gland took up the dye in 1 min, with contrast between adrenal mass and surrounding retroperitoneal fat becoming most distinguished at 5 min. Fluorescence of adrenal tissue lasted up to 20 min after injection. Overall, ICG imaging was felt to help with the conduct of operation in 8 out of 10 procedures. There were no conversions to open or morbidity. There were no immediate or delayed adverse effects attributable to IV ICG administration. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of ICG imaging in a small group of patients undergoing RA. We described a method that enabled an effective fluorescence imaging to localize the adrenal glands and guide dissection. Future research is necessary to study how this imaging affects perioperative outcomes.

The utility of peripheral thyrotropin receptor mRNA in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to analyze the utility of peripheral thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) messenger RNA (mRNA) in predicting and detecting the recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: Peripheral blood TSHR-mRNA was obtained in 103 patients before and after total thyroidectomy. An analysis was performed to correlate peripheral blood TSHR-mRNA concentration with oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: Tumor types were papillary (n = 92), follicular (n = 9) and Hürthle cell (n = 2) cancer. Preoperative TSHR-mRNA was ≥1.02 ng/µg in 85% (88/103). On follow-up (median 48 months), 10 patients (10 %) developed recurrence. Recurrence rate in patients with a preoperative TSHR-mRNA ≥ 1.02 ng/µg was 11% versus 0% in those with a lesser concentration. TSHR-mRNA correctly diagnosed 7 (70%) of 10 recurrences. Of 19 patients with positive thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies, TSHR-mRNA confirmed disease-free status in 12 (63%) and recurrence in 1 (5%). For Tg, TSHR-mRNA and whole-body radioactive iodine scan, sensitivity was 70%, 70%, and 75%; specificity 94%, 76%, 97%; PPV 54%, 24%, and 67%; and NPV 97%, 96%, and 98%, respectively, in detecting recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients with preoperative TSHR-mRNA ≥1.02 ng/µg may be at a greater risk for recurrence compared with those with a lesser concentration. In the presence of Tg antibodies, TSHR-mRNA accurately predicted disease status in 68% of patients. Its overall performance in detecting recurrence was similar to Tg and whole-body radioactive iodine scan, albeit with lower specificity and PPV.