Mobile health applications enhance weight loss efficacy following bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: With the epidemic of obesity numerous mobile health (mHealth) applications have been designed with the goal of facilitating weight loss. This technology has the potential to focus behavioral modification in a manner that's effective for weight loss. We examined the use of this mHealth technology in our bariatric surgery population to evaluate effects on weight loss following surgery. METHODS: Single institution prospective randomized control trial performed at an academic center. 56 patients who recently underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were enrolled into a control group with standard post-operative monitoring and a mHealth application group provided with iPad© minis with the MyFitnessPal© mHealth application. Participants were followed for 24 months. The primary outcomes were effect on weight loss as determined by excess body weight loss (%EWL) and excess BMI loss (%EBL). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in weight loss outcomes between the groups were present throughout the duration of the study. At 12 months, %EWL was 74.41% (control) vs 81.41% (mHealth) p value 0.047 and at 24 months, it was 59.10% (control) vs 71.47% (mHealth) p value 0.0078. %EBL findings at 12 months was 28.02% (control) vs 32.15% (mHealth) p value 0.0007 and at 24 months, it was 25.39% (control) vs 27.87% (mHealth) p value 0.048. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate mHealth applications are a useful adjunct to improve and maintain weight loss following bariatric surgery. We suggest mHealth applications should be utilized following bariatric surgery for improved outcomes.

Time Course of Blood Pressure Decrease After Bariatric Surgery in Normotensive and Hypertensive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery leads to remission of several obesity-related comorbidities, including hypertension. Although antihypertensive medication use is decreased after bariatric surgery, the exact time course of decrease in blood pressure after surgery is not known. METHODS: A database of patients undergoing bariatric surgery at our institute was used to study the effect of surgery on time course of blood pressure changes. Data from surgeries performed between January 2010 and December 2012 were used. RESULTS: Maximum blood pressure and body weight decreases were observed at 2 weeks and 1 year after surgery, respectively. Average decrease in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 4.46 mmHg (61.5 ± 17.1% of maximal decrease) and 7.17 mmHg (maximum decrease) at 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, when the decrease in body weight is 22.8 ± 1.6 and 28 ± 1.4% of maximal weight loss, respectively. In hypertensive patients, MAP decreased from 98.5 ± 0.78 to 92.3 ± 1.76 and 93.1 ± 0.92 mmHg at 1 and 2 weeks post-surgery, respectively. In normotensive patients, the MAP decreased from 96.2 ± 0.79 to 88.7 ± 1.25, 90.0 ± 0.94, 86.5 ± 1.35, 88.0 ± 1.13, and 86.4 ± 2.13 mmHg at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 and 3 years after surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that significant decrease in MAP occurs within 2 weeks after bariatric surgery in hypertensive as well as normotensive patients. Future studies are required to investigate the weight-independent mechanisms of blood pressure decreases after bariatric surgery.

Institutional Improvement in Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a recent addition to the bariatric surgery armamentarium. It has been demonstrated to be an efficacious stand-alone bariatric procedure in regard to weight loss. This study evaluates the progress of our initial experience with LSG. Retrospective review of prospective data from 2008 to 2010. Compared data between our first operative year of experience with LSG (2008) and our third year of experience (2010). Data compared for up to three years postoperatively. End points were percentage of excess body weight loss (%EWL) and percentage of excess body mass index loss (%EBL). Institutional improvement in %EWL and %EBL rates as our collective experience increased with LSG. Mean increase in %EWL of 14 per cent and mean increase of %EBL of 22 per cent. In our first year performing LSG the institutional weight loss was <50 per cent EWL, which is often cited as a benchmark level for "success" after bariatric surgery. By our third year of experience with LSG we achieved an institutional weight loss >50 per cent EWL. Institutional improvement in weight loss results with LSG as the collective experience increased. Several factors could have contributed to this observation to include a surgical mentorship program and the institution of formal nutritional education. This study demonstrates that institutional experience is a significant factor in weight loss results with LSG.

Randomized trial of OFIRMEV versus placebo for pain management after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: OFIRMEV is an intravenous form of acetaminophen approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an antipyretic and treatment of mild to moderate pain alone or in conjunction with opioid medications. Intravenous APAP use in postsurgical pain management has been reported to decrease opioid usage, time to rescue dose, and subjective pain. OBJECTIVES: We used a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind study to test the efficacy of OFIRMEV in decreasing opioid use and subjective pain after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. SETTING: U.S. military training hospital. METHODS: Thirty-four patients who met criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 separate limbs of the study. The OFIRMEV and placebo groups had similar mean age ranges (48±11 and 50±11 yr) and a female/male ratio of 5:1 and 6:1, respectively. The patients received an intraoperative dose and then postoperative administration of intravenous OFIRMEV 1 g or placebo every 6 hours for 24 hours in addition to fentanyl via patient-controlled analgesia. Subjective pain scores, the total amount of fentanyl used, time to rescue of first narcotic dose, and total postanesthesia care unit (PACU) narcotic use were measured during the first 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Subjective pain score was significantly decreased compared with baseline at 12, 16, and 20 hours after surgery in OFIRMEV-treated patients but not in the placebo group. However, total narcotic use, time to rescue of first narcotic dose, and total PACU narcotic dose were not statistically different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Intravenous OFIRMEV use caused a modest but statistically significant decrease in subjective pain without affecting narcotic use after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2015;0:000-00.) © 2015 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.

Does Preoperative Weight Change Predict Postoperative Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Background: Some institutions and insurance companies mandate a preoperative weight loss regimen prior to bariatric surgery. Previous studies suggest little to no correlation between preoperative and postoperative weight loss for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNYGB). This study examined the impact of preoperative weight change for patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients undergoing LSG at the authors' institution from 2010 to 2012. Patients were grouped based on preoperative weight gain or loss. The correlation between preoperative BMI change and postoperative BMI change was studied, as well as length of surgery. Results: Of 141 patients with 1-year follow-up, 72 lost, six maintained, and 64 gained weight preoperatively. Percentage of excess BMI loss at 1 year was not statistically different between those who lost weight and those who gained weight. Percent change in BMI from initial visit to surgery does not correlate with change in BMI at 1 year postoperatively or with length of surgery. Conclusions: Preoperative weight loss is not a reliable predictor of postoperative weight loss or shorter operative time after LSG. Potential patients who otherwise meet indications for LSG should not be denied based on inability to lose weight.

Comparison of staple-line leakage and hemorrhage in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with or without Seamguard.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been recognized as a primary procedure for the surgical management of morbid obesity. Staple-line leaks and hemorrhage are two associated complications. Staple-line buttressing materials have been suggested to decrease these complications. When used during LSG, few published papers exist that compare the incidence of leak or hemorrhage to that of nonreinforced staple-lines. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of leak and hemorrhage in patients who did and did not receive reinforcement with Seamguard (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). This is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LSG. All patients met National Institutes of Health criteria and each had an extensive preoperative evaluation. Data was collected from inpatient and outpatient medical records. Fifty-nine patients received reinforcement and 80 patients did not. There was no significant difference in mean body mass index, age, or gender make-up between the two groups. The overall incidence of leak was 3.60 per cent. The incidence was 3.39 per cent in patients who received reinforcement and 3.75 per cent in those who did not. This was not statistically significant. There was no incidence of staple-line hemorrhage in either group. There is no conclusive evidence that Seamguard reduces staple-line leakage or hemorrhage. Studies involving a larger number of patients are necessary before recommending staple-line reinforcement.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: outcomes at a military training center.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has gained support as a single-staged and stand-alone bariatric procedure. Reports of excess weight loss of 35 to 83 per cent, reduction in comorbidities, and decreased operative morbidity have garnered support for LSG. This study represents an initial outcome analysis of LSG performed solely at a military treatment center. This study is a retrospective analysis of all patients receiving LSG at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center from September 2007 to December 2009. The patients were planned for a stand-alone procedure. One hundred and fifteen patients received LSG over this time period with a mean body mass index of 45.5 +/- 6.2 (range 35.1-58.3). The average age was 47.4 +/- 12.5 years. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 47 per cent and 68 per cent of patients had hypertension. The mean and median length of operation was 124 +/- 48 and 115.5 minutes. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 16.6 +/- 6.40 per cent at 1 month, 31.5 +/- 7.6 per cent at 3 months, 41.2 +/- 13.9 per cent at 6 months, and 53.7 +/- 12.5 per cent at 1 year from surgery. One or more of patient's preoperative diabetic or hypertensive medications were improved postoperatively in 18.7 per cent and 16.3 per cent, respectively. Incidence of major complications occurred in 4.35 per cent of patients in this study to include four leaks (3.4%), one death (0.87%), and 10 readmissions. Midterm analysis of outcomes related to LSG as a single-stage bariatric procedure is promising as long-term outcome data is collected; the efficacy of this procedure as a sole bariatric procedure will continue to be borne out.

Laparoscopic accessory splenectomy for recurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Splenectomy has 50% to 70% long-term efficacy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In some patients, relapse is due to the presence of residual accessory splenic tissue. METHODS: A 44-year-old male had ITP since 1983 with splenectomy in 1985. He had a transient response, but then developed severe thrombocytopenia refractory to multiple modalities for 20 years. An accessory spleen was first visualized in 2000. RESULTS: A laparoscopic accessory splenectomy was performed without difficulty. The patient had an initial response with a significant increase in platelet count. Although over time the thrombocytopenia recurred, there has been a long-term benefit in that the patient is on much lower doses of prednisone to maintain an adequate platelet count. CONCLUSION: The finding of accessory splenic tissue after prior splenectomy may be an increasingly common problem in patients with recurrent ITP. Although reported response rates for resection of residual splenic tissue vary, the availability of a safe, less morbid, minimally invasive approach makes the decision to operate easier.

Pneumoperitoneum due to gastric perforation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: case report.

BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be due to mediastinal air tracking into the peritoneal cavity via the diaphragmatic hiatus or to gastric perforation. CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old woman received Advanced Cardiac Life Support measures in the intensive care unit. Chest compressions and endotracheal intubation were performed; a stable cardiac rhythm and perfusion were restored. A chest radiograph after resuscitation revealed pneumoperitoneum without pneumomediastinum. The patient underwent laparotomy; a 6-cm perforation of the posterior gastric wall along the lesser curve was detected and repaired. CONCLUSION: Gastric perforation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be suspected when chest radiographs obtained after resuscitation show pneumo-peritoneum without pneumomediastinum. Prompt laparotomy allows detection of gastric perforations and decreases the morbidity associated with rupture of a hollow organ. The incidence of gastric perforation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be decreased with early endotracheal intubation, avoidance of esophageal intubation, and expeditious placement of an orogastric tube.

Splenic artery embolization and endovascular stapler integrity in a porcine model.

Splenic artery embolization is often used before laparoscopic splenectomy in cases of splenomegaly to reduce blood loss and facilitate the procedure. The aim of this study was to examine the general reliability of endovascular staplers when fired at the site of embolization coil deployment using a porcine model. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were conducted on porcine abdominal aortas, which are similar in diameter to those of the splenic artery in the human. When the endovascular staplers were fired across the porcine vessels at the area of embolization coil deployment ex vivo, the staple lines all failed. In contrast, in vivo, the staple lines remained intact with no bleeding despite resistance imposed by the intravascular coils. Despite consistent failure in the ex vivo studies, in vivo all staple lines held and permitted safe transection of the vessel. We presume that the hemostatic properties of the coils caused sufficient thrombosis in this model, which mimics the clinical situation, to permit division of the previously embolized splenic vessel.

Impact of morbid obesity on outcome of laparoscopic splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Because of the obesity epidemic, surgeons are operating on morbidly obese patients in increasing numbers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of morbid obesity on the outcome of laparoscopic splenectomy. METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for benign and malignant disease from March 1996 to May 2005. These patients were retrospectively divided into three groups. Group 1 had a body mass index (BMI) < 30. Group 2 patients had a BMI > or = 30 and < 40 and were considered obese. Group 3 had a BMI > or = 40 and were considered morbidly obese. Data including surgical approach (laparoscopic vs. hand-assisted), operative time, conversion rate, estimated blood loss, splenic weight, length of stay, time to tolerate a diet, pathologic diagnosis, complications, and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Complete data were available for evaluation of 112 patients of whom 73 (65%) had a BMI < 30, 32 (29%) had a BMI > or = 30 and < 40, and 7 (6%) had a BMI > or = 40. The most frequent indication for splenectomy in all three groups was idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The operative times were significantly higher in patients with a BMI > 40. Conversion rates were also higher in this group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Patients with a BMI > 30 experienced similar complication rates when compared with patients with a BMI < 30. Only when patients had a BMI > 40 did they experience more complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed safely in obese patients (BMI > 30) with similar results to those of nonobese patients. Only in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40) do outcomes and complications appear to be affected. Obesity should not be a contraindication to laparoscopic splenectomy.

Diagnosis and management of diverticulitis and appendicitis.

Diverticulitis and appendicitis are common infections of the gastrointestinal tract that require urgent medical and surgical attention. Successful management of these conditions requires a multidisciplinary approach among primary care providers, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and radiologists. The diagnosis of appendicitis, in particular, can be difficult. Advances in radiographic imaging have improved the diagnostic accuracy in these infections. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have improved the patient's postoperative recovery when surgery is necessary in the management of these conditions.

Pneumoperitoneum after rough sexual intercourse.

Our objective is to report on a case of nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum and review the mechanism/gynecologic causes of such. We present a case report and review of the literature based on a MEDLINE search using the keywords pneumoperitoneum and nonsurgical. Radiographic evidence of free intraperitoneal air suggests hollow viscus rupture and usually warrants urgent surgical management. Findings of diffuse rebound tenderness and guarding solidify the decision for urgent surgical exploration. We present a case of a patient who presented with all of the above findings that subsequently underwent a negative laparotomy. On the day after surgery she admitted to having had rough sexual intercourse 3 days before presentation. Nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum has a number of unusual causes. Intra-abdominal, thoracic, gynecologic, iatrogenic, and miscellaneous etiologies are encountered. It was determined that the pneumoperitoneum in this case was secondary to rough sexual intercourse. We concluded that pneumoperitoneum secondary to nonsurgical causes represents a diagnostic dilemma. In the patient with free intraperitoneal air on plain X-ray one should be suspicious of less common nonsurgical etiologies. The majority of patients will require laparotomy. Thorough sexual and gynecologic/obstetrical history is a valuable adjunct in identifying the patient who does not.