One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OABG) vs. Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass (SADI) as revisional procedure following Sleeve Gastrectomy: results of a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) is the most performed bariatric surgery, but a considerable number of patients may require revisional procedures for suboptimal clinical response/recurrence of weight (SCR/RoW). Conversion options include One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) and Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass (SADI). The study aims to compare SADI vs. OAGB as revisional procedures in terms of early and mid-term complications, operative time, postoperative hospital stay and clinical outcomes. METHODS: All patients who underwent OAGB or SADI as revisional procedures following SG for SCR/RoW at three high-volume bariatric centers between January 2014 and April 2021 were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. Demographic, operative, and postoperative outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were identified. After PSM, the two groups included 42 OAGB and 42 SADI patients. Early (≤ 30 days) postoperative complications rate did not differ significantly between OAGB and SADI groups (3 bleedings vs. 0, p = 0.241). Mid-term (within 2 years) complications rate was significantly higher in the OAGB group (21.4% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.007), mainly anastomotic complications and reflux disease (12% of OAGBs). Seven OAGB patients required conversion to another procedure (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass-RYGB) vs. none among the SADI patients (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: SADI and OAGB are both effective as revisional procedures for SCR/RoW after SG. OAGB is associated with a significantly higher rate of mid-term complications and a not negligible rate of conversion (RYGB). Larger studies are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Fat-to-blood recirculation of partially dysfunctional PD-1+CD4 Tconv cells is associated with dysglycemia in human obesity.

Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of T cells in insulin-sensitive tissues, including the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), that can interfere with the insulin signaling pathway eventually leading to insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. Here, we found that PD-1+CD4 conventional T (Tconv) cells, endowed with a transcriptomic and functional profile of partially dysfunctional cells, are diminished in VAT of obese patients with dysglycemia (OB-Dys), without a concomitant increase in apoptosis. These cells showed enhanced capacity to recirculate into the bloodstream and had a non-restricted TCRß repertoire divergent from that of normoglycemic obese and lean individuals. PD-1+CD4 Tconv were reduced in the circulation of OB-Dys, exhibited an altered migration potential, and were detected in the liver of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The findings suggest a potential role for partially dysfunctional PD-1+CD4 Tconv cells as inter-organ mediators of IR in obese patients with dysglycemic.

Two clues make a proof: EUS-directed transgastric ERCP in twice-surgically altered anatomy-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass conversion of a sleeve gastrectomy.

Video 1EUS-directed transgastric ERCP in twice-surgically-altered anatomy: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass conversion of a sleeve gastrectomy.

Bariatric Surgery for Patients with Overweight/Obesity. A Comprehensive Grading Methodology and Network Metanalysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Weight Loss Outcomes and Adverse Events.

This study aims to compare different types of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) with lifestyle intervention/medical therapy (LSI/MT) for the treatment of overweight/obesity. The present and network meta-analysis (NMA) includes randomized trials. MBS was associated with a reduction of BMI, body weight, and percent weight loss, when compared to LSI/MT, and also with a significant reduction of HbA1c and a higher remission of diabetes. Meta-regression analyses revealed that BMI, a higher proportion of women, and a longer duration of trial were associated with greater effects of MBS. The NMA showed that all surgical procedures included (except greater curvature plication) were associated with a reduction of BMI. MBS is an effective option for the treatment of obesity. The choice of BMI thresholds for eligibility for surgery of patients with different complications should be performed making an evaluation of risks and benefits in each BMI category.

Laparoscopic Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Outcomes and Quality of Life. A Long Term Follow-Up Study.

Background: This study evaluates the feasibility, efficacy, the complications rate, and the long-term results of laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at a dedicated center. Materials and Methods: From 01/11/1993 to 01/12/2019, we performed 620 fundoplication surgeries by laparoscopic approach according to Rossetti technique and 160 according to Toupet technique, totally 780 procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The average duration of surgery was 40 minutes (range 19 - 160) for Rossetti fundoplication, 50 (range 30 - 180), and for Toupet 60 (range 45 - 190). All patients were investigated by upper digestive tract radiography, esophagogastroscopy, 24h computerized pH-metry, manometry and scintigraphy to assess esophageal clearance and gastric emptying times. In the 180 (23 %) patients with associated hiatal hernia, direct hiatoplasty was performed in 108 cases, and hiatoalloplasty in the remaining 72. Results: There were no cases of perioperative mortality; the morbidity rate was 6.28 %. We had 16.7 % long-term failures, requiring reintervention in 46 cases (6.5 %). Thirty patients (3.84 %) had to resume occasional 40 mg PPI therapy and 48 patients (6.15 %) had to resume 40 mg PPI therapy continuously. Manometry in these patients revealed lower esophageal sphincter tone between 10- and 16-mm hg with complete and coordinated relaxations. Of the 44 patients who underwent redo surgery 26 were reoperated to repackage a tighter plastic. Six patients required reoperation for dysphagia. Twelve paraesophageal hernias were recorded in the group of patients in whom only hiatoplasty without prosthesis was performed. In all cases, a hiatoplasty with prosthesis was repackaged laparoscopically. Conclusions: We emphasize the importance of accurate morphologic and functional evaluation of the esophagus preoperatively for selection of the most appropriate intervention and postoperatively for evaluation of the causes of failures. In the presence of hiatal hernia, it is always advisable to perform hiatoplasty with the placement of a prosthesis.

Classification of Slippage Following Laparoscopic BariClip Gastroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic BariClip gastroplasty (LBCG) is a new reversible gastric sleeve-like procedure without gastrectomy proposed to minimize the risk of severe complications. Still one of the possible complications described with LBCG is slippage. The purpose of the current manuscript is to analyze different cases of slippage and propose a classification of this complication. METHODS: A number of 381 patients who underwent LBCG in 8 different centers were analyzed concerning the risk of slippage. All cases with documented slippage were carefully reviewed in terms of patients' symptomatology (presence of satiety, vomiting), history of weight loss, radiological data, and management of their slippage. A new classification was proposed depending on the anatomy, the symptomatology, and the time of occurrence. RESULTS: We have identified a total of 17 cases (4.46%) of slippage following LBCG. In 11 patients, the slippage was symptomatic with repetitive vomiting and nausea, and in the remaining 6 patients, the slippage was identified by radiological studies for insufficient weight loss, weight regain, or routine radiological follow-up. Depending on the interval time, the slippage was classified as either immediate (in first 7 days) in 6 cases, early (in less than 90 days) in 4 cases, and late (after 3 months) in 7 cases. Evaluation of the radiological studies in these cases identified the following: anterosuperior displacement (type A) in 9 cases, posteroinferior displacement (type B) in 6 cases (one case after 3 months), and lateral displacement (type C) in the remaining 2 cases. The management of the slippage consisted of BariClip removal in 7 cases, repositioning in 5 cases, and conservative treatment in the remaining 5 cases. All patients with conservative treatment were recorded at the beginning of the experience. CONCLUSIONS: Slippage is a possible complication after LBCG. This classification of the different types of slippage can benefit the surgeon in the management and treatment of this complication of LBCG.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Patients Over 60 Years Old: A Long-Term Follow-Up.

Purpose: This study analyzed the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients over 60 years old, in a long-term follow-up, in a high-volume bariatric center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients older than 60 years who underwent LSG in our center from January 2009 to December 2018. A prospectively collected database of 4991 consecutive LSG cases was reviewed. Results: One hundred seventy-nine sleeve gastrectomy procedures were performed in patients older than 60 years, 135 were aged 60-65 years (group A) and 44 were older than 65 years (group B). We reported five cases (2.7%) of early complications: three postoperative hemorrhages, one cardial leakage, and one perigastric abscess. No thromboembolic events or mortality rates were reported. The mean follow-up period was 5.5 years (66 months). The follow-up loss rate was about 29%. At last follow-up, the mean body-mass index/body mass/percentage of excess weight loss values were, respectively, 33.7 ± 7/86.1 ± 21/60.4 ± 28.6 in group A and 32.4 ± 6.4/82.6 ± 18/61.8 ± 33 in group B. We reported 5 (4.0%) trocar site hernias, 1 (0.8%) cardial junction stenosis, and 22 (18%) new outbreaks of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). There were 7 reinterventions (5.7%): 5 for weight regain and 2 for GERD not responding to medical therapy. There were no statistically significant differences between the two age groups. Conclusions: LSG is a safe and effective treatment for severe obesity in people over 60 years old. There are no differences in results of patients over 65 years and between 60 and 65 years old. Scales that include associated medical problems and the patient's general condition must be considered.

Could Glycated Hemoglobin be Leakage Predictor in Sleeve Gastrectomy? A Retrospective Observational Study on 4233 Patients.

PURPOSE: Diabetes increases the risks related to surgery. At the same time, bariatric surgery improves diabetes. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) is an index of diabetes severity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate A1C as a possible predictor of postoperative complications after Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), focusing on leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentric retrospective study considering all consecutive patients with obesity, with or without diabetes, who underwent bariatric surgical procedures, from January 2018 to December 2021. All patients had preoperative A1C values. RESULTS: 4233 patients were considered. 522 patients (12.33%) were diabetics (A1C ≥ 6.5%). Of these, 260 patients (6.14%) had A1C ≥ 7% and 59 (1.39%) A1C ≥ 8%. 1718 patients (40.58%) were in a pre-diabetic range (A1C 5.7%-6.5%). Higher A1C values were associated with older age, male gender, higher BMI and increased rate of comorbidities. A longer operative time was observed for patients with A1C ≥ 7%, p = 0.027 (53 ± 20 vs 51 ± 18 min). The frequency of leakage was significantly higher when A1C ≥ 7% (3.8% vs 2.0%, p = 0.026). The frequency of leakage further increased when A1C ≥ 8% (5.1%), although this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Patients with obesity and A1C ≥ 7% need to be referred to a diabetologist to treat diabetes before surgery and consequently decrease the risk of leakage.

Role of Preoperative High-Resolution Manometry in the Identification of Patients at High Risk of Postoperative GERD Symptoms 1 Year After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most common bariatric procedure, but it is often characterized by the onset of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). High-resolution manometry (HRM) is a useful tool to detect risk factors for GERD. The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative manometric parameters as possible predictors of postoperative GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a monocentric retrospective study. We analyzed 164 patients, with preoperative esophagitis/GERD symptoms who underwent preoperative HRM and were submitted to SG (July 2020-February 2022). RESULTS: Postoperative GERD was observed in 60 patients (36.6%): 41 of them (68%) already had preoperative GERD symptoms, whereas the remaining 19 patients (32%) developed postoperative symptoms. Female patients developed postoperative GERD in a significantly higher fraction of cases as compared to male patients (82% versus 18%; p < 0.001). DCI (distal contractile integral) was identified as the only HRM parameter correlating with the presence of GERD. Patients with DCI ≤ 1623 mmHg*cm*s developed postoperative GERD in 46% of cases (n = 43/94), as compared to 24% of cases (n = 17/70) among patients with DCI > 1623 mmHg*cm*s (p = 0.005). At multivariable analysis, female sex (OR 3.402, p = 0.002), preoperative GERD symptoms (OR 2.489, p = 0.013), and DCI ≤ 1623 mmHg*s*cm (OR 0.335, p = 0.003) were identified as independent determinants of postoperative GERD. CONCLUSION: All the patients with preoperative risk factors for reflux, such as GERD symptoms or esophagitis on EGDS (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), should be considered for an HRM. Moreover, when a DCI ≤ 1623 mmHg*s*cm is found, a bariatric procedure different from SG might be considered.

Trends and safety of bariatric revisional surgery in Italy: multicenter, prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Revisional bariatric surgery (RBS) represents a further solution for patients who experience inadequate weight loss (IWL) following primary bariatric surgery (BS) or significant weight regain (WR) following initial satisfactory response. RBS guidelines are lacking; however, an increased trend in further BS offerings has been reported recently. OBJECTIVE: Analyze trend, mortality, complication, readmission, and reoperation rates for any reason at 30 days after RBS in Italy. SETTING: Ten Italian high-volume BS centers (university hospitals and private centers). METHODS: Prospective, observational, multicenter study enrolling patients undergoing RBS between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, registering reasons for RBS, technique, mortality, intraoperative and perioperative complications, readmissions, and reinterventions for any reason. Patients undergoing RBS during the same calendar interval in 2016-2020 were considered control patients. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were enrolled and compared with 560 control-group patients. Mortality was .45% versus .35% (n.s), with an overall mortality of .25%, while open surgery or conversion to open surgery was registered in 1%. No difference was found for mortality, morbidity, complications, readmission (1.3%), and reoperation rates (2.2%). IWL/WR was the most frequent cause, followed by gastroesophageal reflux disease; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most used revisional procedure (56%). Sleeve gastrectomy was the most revised procedure in the study group, while gastric banding was the most revised in the control group. RBS represents up to 9% of the total BS in the Italian participating centers. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy represents the standard approach for RBS, which appears safe. Current Italian trends show a shift toward sleeve gastrectomy being the most revised procedure and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass being the most frequent revisional procedure.

Minimally invasive approach to incisional hernia in elective and emergency surgery: a SICE (Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and new technologies) and ISHAWS (Italian Society of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery) online survey.

Minimally invasive abdominal wall surgery is growing worldwide, with a constant and fast improvement of surgical techniques and surgeons' confidence in treating both primary and incisional hernias (IH). The Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and new technologies (SICE) and the ISHAWS (Italian Society of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery) worked together to investigate state of the art in IH treatment in elective and emergency settings in Italy. An online open survey was designed, and Italian surgeons interested in abdominal wall surgery were invited to fill out a 20-point questionnaire on IH surgical procedures performed in their departments. Surgeons were asked to express their points of view on specific questions about technical and clinical variables in IH treatment. Preferred approach in elective IH surgery was minimally invasive (59.7%). Open surgery was the preferred approach in 40.3% of the responses. In emergency settings, open surgery was the preferred approach (65.4%); however, 34.5% of the involved surgeons declare to prefer the laparoscopic/endoscopic approach. Most respondents opted for conversion to open surgery in case of relevant surgical field contamination, with a non-mesh repair of abdominal wall defects. Among those that used the laparoscopic approach in the emergent setting, the majority (74%) used the size of the defect of 5 cm as a decisional cut-off. The spread of minimally invasive approaches to IH repair in emergency surgery in Italy is gaining relevance. Code-sharing through scientific societies can improve clinical practice in different departments and promote a tailored approach to IH surgery.

Evolving Technique of Laparoscopic Vertical Gastric Clip Placement.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic BariClip gastroplasty (LBCG) will address a similar tubular restriction than the one achieved with the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) at the level of the gastric fundus, while maintaining the advantage of simplicity and anatomic preservation. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the risk of slippage and to present the evolving technique by adding gastro-gastric plication of the gastric wall covering the BariClip at those areas where the gastric wall "slips" between the limbs of the clip. METHODS: All patients undergoing LBCG with the evolving technique of gastric plication around the device associated with antral gastroplasty from January 2021 to May 2022 were included in the study group (group A). A control group (group B) was designed with patients who underwent previous LBCG technique between May 2017 and June 2019. This is a case-controlled group with patients matched by gender and BMI. We have analyzed the postoperative complications and more notably the slippage. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six patients (44 male and 132 female) with a mean age of 33 years (± 11) underwent evolving technique of LBCG. A control group of 67 patients who underwent previous technique of LBCG was included. All procedures were completed by laparoscopy with no intraoperative complication. For the study group, we have recorded a number of 5 slippages (2.8%). The diagnosis occurred during the first 6 months after the operation. The management consisted of repositioning-3 cases-and BariClip removal-2 cases. For the control group, we have recorded a number of 3 slippages (4.3%). All three patients underwent BariClip removal, with no repositioning. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a new technique of placement of the BariClip with additional gastric plication anterior, posterior, and volume reduction in the antrum to potentially reduce the rate of slippage and improve weight loss outcomes.

Re-sleeve gastrectomy: weight loss, comorbidities and gerd evaluation in a large series with 5 years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has rapidly become one of the most commonly performed procedures in bariatric surgery. Weight regain and insufficient weight loss are the most common causes for surgical failure. Re-sleeve gastrectomy (ReSG) can represent an option when there is evidence of a dilated gastric tube. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate safety, efficacy and rate of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) after ReSG in one of the largest series present in literature with long-term follow up. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study design. From February 2010 to August 2018, 102 patients underwent ReSG at our Centre. We divided patients into two groups, according to the main reason for surgical failure: insufficient weight loss or progressive weight regain. RESULTS: One hundred-two patients (78 women, 24 men) with BMI 38 ± 6 kg/m2 underwent ReSG (mean age 44 years). Rate of postoperative complications was 3.9% (4/102). After a mean follow-up of 55 months, mean BMI decreased to 30,4 kg/m2 and the mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 51 ± 38.6. Symptoms of GERD were present in 35/102 patients (34.3%) and the need for a new operation occurred in six patients. Forty-five patients were submitted to ReSG for progressive weight regain (group A) and 57 for insufficient weight loss (group B). No differences were found in terms of postoperative BMI and %EWL. CONCLUSION: ReSG is a feasible procedure after primary SG failure in selected patients, but its efficacy in reducing the BMI under 30 kg/m2 is still unclear. In addition, over 30% of patients suffer from long-term gastro-esophageal reflux.

Sleeve Gastrectomy with Rossetti Fundoplication Increases Lower Esophageal Sphincter Tone Preventing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: High-Resolution Manometry Assessment.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is associated with the long-term development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recent studies on LSG with fundoplication showed a lower rate of postoperative GERD than LSG alone; however, there is a lack of objective instrumental data in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate whether and how fundoplication associated with Sleeve Gastrectomy affects the esophagogastric physiology. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 20 patients with morbid obesity, GERD, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) hypotonia. All the patients underwent LSG with Rossetti fundoplication. High-resolution manometry was performed pre- and postoperatively. All the patients completed the 6 months follow-up. Results: The fundoplication increased LES tone in all patients. The increase in the LES tone was statistically significant (330% increase). The integrated relaxation pressure and the distal contractile integral both increased accordingly, indicating an increased esophageal effort to pass through the modified esophagogastric junction. Conclusion: Rossetti fundoplication associated with LSG increased LES tone and decreased the chance of developing long-term GERD after LSG.

Safety and Efficacy of Laparoscopic Vertical Clip Gastroplasty: Early Results of an Italian Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: Sleeve gastrectomy, the most commonly performed bariatric surgery procedure, carries limitations both short term including postoperative complications such as hemorrhage and gastric fistula and long term such as weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux. A new procedure has been proposed to overcome many of these limitations: laparoscopic vertical clip gastroplasty (LVCG) with BariClip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were offered LVCG and enrolled for a feasibility study in two referral bariatric centers. Indication was given as for sleeve gastrectomy, after a multidisciplinary path evaluating age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, eating behaviors, and gastroesophageal reflux. The primary outcome was major postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included weight loss, incidence of de-novo GERD, and comorbidity resolution. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 44 years and mean BMI of 37 kg/m2 ± 6.2. All procedures were performed successfully in laparoscopy, with no conversion or intraoperative adverse events. The overall major postoperative complication rate was 6%. Re-operation was required in three patients for slippage. No mortality occurred. Excess weight loss, excess BMI loss, and total weight loss at 6 months were 36%, 57%, and 22%, respectively. There was no instance of de-novo GERD. Resolution of hypertension occurred in 50% of cases, OSAS in 65% of cases, and DMII in 80% of cases. CONCLUSION: The safety of LVCG procedure has been reproduced in a multicentric, multi-surgeon study. Weight loss outcomes appear promising. A randomized trial is needed to fully assess the benefits of LVCG.

A national survey on the current status of minimally invasive gastric practice on behalf of GIRCG.

Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG), during the 2013 annual Consensus Conference to gastric cancer, stated that laparoscopic or robotic approach should be limited only to early gastric cancer (EGC) and no further guidelines were currently available. However, accumulated evidences, mainly from eastern experiences, have supported the application of minimally invasive surgery also for locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The aim of our study is to give a snapshot of current surgical propensity of expert Italian upper gastrointestinal surgeons in performing minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of gastric cancer in order to answer to the question if clinical practice overcome the recommendation. Experts in the field among the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) were invited to join a web 30-item survey through a formal e-mail from January 1st, 2020, to June 31st, 2020. Responses were collected from 46 participants out of 100 upper gastrointestinal surgeons. Percentage of surgeons choosing a minimally invasive approach to treat early and advanced gastric cancer was similar. Additionally analyzing data from the centers involved, we obtained that the percentage of minimally invasive total and partial gastrectomies in advanced cases augmented with the increase of surgical procedures performed per year (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04 respectively). It is reasonable to assume that there is a widening of indications given by the current national guideline into clinical practice. Propensity of expert Italian upper gastrointestinal surgeons was to perform minimally invasive surgery not only for early but also for advanced gastric cancer. Of interest volume activity correlated with the propensity of surgeons to select a minimally invasive approach.

Enterotomy Closure after Minimally Invasive Distal Gastrectomy with Intracorporeal Anastomosis: A Multicentric Study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite progressive improvements in technical skills and instruments that have facilitated surgeons performing intracorporeal gastro-jejunal and jejuno-jejunal anastomoses, one of the big challenging tasks is handsewn knot tying. We analysed the better way to fashion a handsewn intracorporeal enterotomy closure after a stapled anastomosis. METHODS: All 579 consecutive patients from January 2009 to December 2019 who underwent minimally invasive partial gastrectomy for gastric cancer were retrospectively analysed. Different ways to fashion intracorporeal anastomoses were investigated: robotic versus laparoscopic approach; laparoscopic high definition versus three-dimensional versus 4K technology; single-layer versus double-layer enterotomies. Double-layer enterotomies were analysed layer by layer, comparing running versus interrupted suture; the presence versus absence of deep corner suture; and type of suture thread. RESULTS: Significantly lower rates of bleeding (p = 0.011) and leakage (p = 0.048) from gastro-jejunal anastomosis were recorded in the double-layer group. Barbed suture thread was significantly associated with reduced intraluminal bleeding and leakage rates both in the first (p = 0.042 and p = 0.010) and second layer (p = 0.002 and p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Double-layer sutures using barbed suture thread both in first and second layer to fashion enterotomy closure result in lower intraluminal bleeding and anastomotic leak rates.