Clinical Use of a Real-World Low Carbohydrate Diet Resulting in Reduction of Insulin Dose, Hemoglobin A1c, and Weight.

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in epidemic proportions. In addition to the morbidity and mortality, for those treated with insulin, the physical, psychological, and financial tolls are often greater. Our real-world study evaluated a Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) in patients with T2DM on insulin with respect to glycemic control, insulin reduction, and weight loss. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted via an Electronic Medical Record search for patients attending the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Weight Loss Program from 2014 to 2020 with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus who initially presented on insulin. Data was extracted for 1 year after enrollment. The weight loss program focuses on a LCD. Results: Of 185 participants, the mean (± SD) age was 56.1 (9.9) years. Seventy percent were female and 63% were black. Eighty-five completed 12 months (45.9%), reduced their median (25-75% interquartile range, IQR) insulin dose from 69 to 0 units (0-18, p < 0.0001), HbA1c from 8 to 6.9% (6.2-7.8, p < 0.0001), and weight from 116 to 99 kg (85-120, p < 001). Eighty six percent who completed 12 months were able to reduce or discontinue insulin, with 70.6% completely discontinuing. Among all participants who completed 3, 6, or 12 months, 97.6% were able to reduce or eliminate insulin use. Conclusion: In patients with T2DM on a LCD, it is possible to reduce and even discontinue insulin use while facilitating weight loss and achieving glycemic control. A Low Carbohydrate Diet should be offered to all patients with diabetes, especially those using insulin.

Comparative analysis of open and robotic transversus abdominis release for ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis release (TAR) is a safe, effective strategy to repair complex ventral incisional hernia (VIH); however, open TAR (o-TAR) often necessitates prolonged hospitalization. Robot-assisted TAR (r-TAR) may benefit short-term outcomes and shorten convalescence. This study compares 90-day outcomes of o-TAR and r-TAR for VIH repair. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review of patients who underwent o-TAR or r-TAR for VIH from 2015 to 2016 was conducted. Patient and hernia characteristics, operative data, and 90-day outcomes were compared. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay, and secondary metrics were morbidity, surgical site events, and readmission. RESULTS: Overall, 102 patients were identified (76 o-TAR and 26 r-TAR). Patients were comparable regarding age, gender, body mass index, and the presence of co-morbidities. Diabetes was more common in the open group (22.3 vs. 0%, P = 0.01). Most VIH defects were midline (89.5 vs. 83%, P = 0.47) and recurrent (52.6 vs. 58.3%, P = 0.65). Hernia characteristics were similar regarding mean defect size (260 ± 209 vs. 235 ± 107 cm2, P = 0.55), mesh removal, and type/size mesh implanted. Average operative time was longer in the r-TAR cohort (287 ± 121 vs. 365 ± 78 min, P < 0.01) despite most receiving mesh fixation with fibrin sealant alone (18.4 vs. 91.7%, P < 0.01). r-TAR trended toward lower morbidity (39.2 vs. 19.2%, P = 0.09), less severe complications, and similar rates of surgical site events and readmission (6.6 vs. 7.7%, P = 1.00). In addition, r-TAR resulted in a significantly shorter median hospital length of stay compared to o-TAR (6 days, 95% CI 5.9-8.3 vs. 3 days, 95% CI 3.2-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: In select patients, the robotic surgical platform facilitates a safe, minimally invasive approach to complex abdominal wall reconstruction, specifically TAR. Robot-assisted TAR for VIH offers the short-term benefits of low morbidity and decreased hospital length of stay compared to open TAR.

Weight Loss Failure and Reoperation After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Gastric Bypass: a Case-Matched Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Not long ago, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was considered a safe and effective treatment of morbid obesity; however, long-term outcomes revealed significant complication and failure rates. We hypothesized that LAGB has higher rates of weight loss failure, reoperation, and overall failure compared to laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB) at long-term follow-up. METHODS: A matched case-control study was performed. Patients who underwent primary LAGB or LRYGB at a university hospital between 2004 and 2011 were propensity matched for age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), and weight-related co-morbidities. Outcomes included demographics, percent excess weight loss (% EWL) and reoperation, weight loss failure (<50% EWL), and overall failure (procedure-related reoperation and/or <50% EWL) at 3- and 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: In all, 228 LAGB and 228 LRYGB patients matched. LAGB patients had less mean EWL at 3 years (35 vs. 71%, P < 0.05) and 5 years (29.3 vs. 66.7%, P < 0.05). LAGB (11%) and LRYGB (11.5%) patients required procedure-related reoperation. More LAGB patients suffered weight loss failure at 3 years (75 vs. 10.5%, P < 0.05) and 5 years (81.5 vs. 15.4%, P < 0.05). Overall failure rates were higher after LAGB. The most common complication after LAGB was pouch/esophageal enlargement (9.7%) and after LRYGB was internal hernia (4.8%). LAGB patients had higher morbidity (19 vs. 12.7%, P = 0.04) but similar procedure-related mortality (0 vs. 0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: LAGB has significantly higher rates of weight loss failure compared to LRYGB with similar rates of procedure-related reoperation. Overall failure rates are higher after LAGB. These data suggest the long-term effectiveness of LAGB might be limited.