Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: experience in 50 patients after 1 to 3 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is currently one of the most frequently performed bariatric interventions worldwide due to its simplicity and good weight loss results. Nevertheless, SG failure and complications are increasingly being observed as the number of procedures increases. OBJECTIVES: To report our results in converting SG to revisional laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (R-LRYGB). SETTING: University Hospital, Chile. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of our bariatric surgery database. Patients who underwent R-LRYGB after SG between June 2005 and April 2015 were identified. Demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, preoperative workup, and perioperative data were retrieved. Total weight loss (TWL), excess weight loss (EWL), and clinical progression over 3 years were registered. RESULTS: Fifty patients were identified, mean age 39±8.4 years, 42 (84%) women; median body mass index previous to R-LRYGB was 33.8 (31-36) kg/m2. Indications for revision were weight regain (n = 28, 56%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (n = 16, 32%), and gastric stenosis (n = 6, 12%). In weight-regain patients, mean follow-up at 3 years was 72.2% and median percentage of total weight loss at 12 and 36 months was 18.5 (12-24) and 19.3 (8-23), respectively; percentage of excess weight loss at 12 and 36 months was 60.7 (37-82) and 66.9 (26-90), respectively. Over 90% of gastroesophageal reflux disease patients resolved or improved symptoms. All patients with gastric stenosis resolved symptoms after conversion. There were no major complications. CONCLUSION: R-LRYGB is a feasible, effective, and well-tolerated alternative in selected patients with failed SG in which other therapies have been insufficient to either maintain weight loss or resolve complications. However, long-term follow-up is still needed.

High frequency of internal hernias after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Internal hernias (IH) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are a serious concern among surgeons and are often under-diagnosed due to heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. Our aim is to assess the frequency of IH after a RYGB in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of our bariatric surgery unit's database between 2001 and 2013 is obtained. Patients are surgically explored after RYGB due to acute bowel obstruction (ABO), intermittent abdominal pain (IAP), or being asymptomatic (during an elective cholecystectomy) in whom anatomical presence of IH was established. Also, we compared patients with retrocolic and antecolic technique. Statistical analysis with non-parametric tests and chi-square are used. RESULTS: Of the patients, 3,656 submitted to RYGB during this period, 81.9% (2,993) by laparoscopy and 26.3% (963) with retrocolic technique. Of the patients, 130 (3.5%) were surgically explored due to ABO, 27 patients (0.7%) due to IAP, and 93 patients (2.5%) submitted to an elective cholecystectomy with exploration for IH. IH was present in 75% of the obstructed patients, and in 69%, it was the cause of obstruction. Patients with IAP showed 59% of IH, but only 15% have herniated bowel. In asymptomatic patients, 25% showed IH and none of them have herniated bowel. Retrocolic technique showed a higher risk of whole causes of ABO and IH than the antecolic technique, with a relative risk of 1.53 (1.07-2.17) and 1.62 (1.06-2.47), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high frequency of IH exists in all operated patients of this series. All members of the bariatric team should be aware of the symptoms related to IH and actively pursue it during follow-up.

[Results of bariatric surgery. Experience over 18 years]. / Experiencia de 18 años de cirugía de obesidad en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the gold-standard treatment for morbid obesity because it has low morbidity rates in high-volume centers and generates long term sustained weight loss. AIM: To describe our experience in bariatric surgery since the creation of our bariatric program in 1992. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients subjected to bariatric surgery from 1992 to December 2010. Data was obtained from the electronic institutional registry. The Procedures per-formed were open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (BPGA and BPGL, respectively), laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (BGAL) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (GML). RESULTS: A total of 4943 procedures were performed, 768 (16%) BPGA, 2558 (52%) BPGL, 199 (4%) BGAL and 1418 (29%) GML. The number of procedures progressively increased, from 100 cases in 2000 to over 700 cases in 2008. Proportion of femóles and preoperative mean body mass Índex fluctuated between 69 and 79% and 35 and 43 kg/m², respectively, among the different procedures. Early and late complications fluctuated between Oto 1% (higher on BPGA) and 3 to 32.7% (higher on BGAL), respectively. The excess weight lost at five years was 76.1% in BPGA, 92.5% in BPGL and 53.7% in BGAL. The figure for GML at three years was 73.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rates of this series of patients are similar to those reported in large series abroad. BPGL is still the most effective procedure; however GML is an attractive alternative for less obese patients.

Experiencia de 18 años de cirugía de obesidad en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Results of bariatric surgery. Experience over 18 years

Background: Bariatric surgery is the gold-standard treatment for morbid obesity because it has low morbidity rates in high-volume centers and generates long term sustained weight loss. Aim: To describe our experience in bariatric surgery since the creation of our bariatric program in 1992. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients subjected to bariatric surgery from 1992 to December 2010. Data was obtained from the electronic institutional registry. The Procedures per-formed were open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Ygastric bypass (BPGA and BPGL, respectively), laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (BGAL) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (GML). Results: A total of 4943 procedures were performed, 768 (16%) BPGA, 2558 (52%) BPGL, 199 (4%) BGAL and 1418 (29%) GML. The number of procedures progressively increased, from 100 cases in 2000 to over 700 cases in 2008. Proportion of femóles and preoperative mean body mass Índex fluctuated between 69 and 79% and 35 and 43 kg/m², respectively, among the different procedures. Early and late complications fluctuated between Oto 1% (higher on BPGA) and 3 to 32.7% (higher on BGAL), respectively. The excess weight lost atfiveyears was 76.1 % in BPGA, 92.5%o in BPGL and 53.7% in BGAL. The figure for GML at three years was 73.7%. Conclusions: The complication rates ofthis series of patients are similar to those reported in large series abroad. BPGL is still the most effective procedure; however GML is an attractive alternative for less obese patients.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a stand-alone procedure for morbid obesity: report of 1,000 cases and 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an emerging surgical technique with encouraging results. The objective of this study is to report surgical results after 1,000 consecutive LSG cases as a stand-alone procedure for morbid obesity during a 3-year follow-up. METHODS: Data were obtained by review of our prospectively maintained database, patients' clinical charts, and phone interview of all patients who underwent LSG in our institution from December 2005 to February 2010. RESULTS: There were 773 (77.3%) women whose preoperative age and BMI was 36.9 ± 11.5 years and 37.4 ± 4.0 kg/m(2), respectively. The most common co-morbid conditions were insulin resistance 55.1%, dyslipidemia 45.5%, arterial hypertension 23.1%, hypothyroidism 15.4% and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 12%. Excess weight loss was as follows: 1 year 86.6%, 2 years 84.1%, and 3 years 84.5%. Early and late complications occurred in 34 (3.4%) and 20 (2.0%) patients, respectively. Reoperation was required in seven (0.7%) patients. There was no mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LSG seems to be a safe and effective surgical technique for morbid obesity as a stand-alone procedure.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB): surgical results and 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: LAGB is a technique increasingly used in the USA. The aim of this study is to analyze the 5-year outcome in terms of weight loss and complications. METHOD: We reviewed our prospective electronic database for all patients undergoing LAGB between 2002 and 2007. We assessed weight progression, complications, and reoperations. RESULTS: We performed 199 cases during this period (70.4% females). Mean age was 37.8 ± 12.4 years. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 36.0 ± 3.8 kg/m(2). Preoperative comorbidities were dyslipidemia in 52.3%, insulin resistance in 30.7%, arterial hypertension in 24.6%, and type 2 diabetes in 5.5%. There were no conversions to open technique. Early complications were observed in two patients (1%): one hemoperitoneum and one ileitis. Mortality was 0%. Late complication rate was 33.6% (18.0% related to the band). Reoperation was required in 40 patients (20.1%). Laparoscopic repositioning was done in seven patients, and port/reservoir revision was done in five patients. Band removal was required in 28 patients, due to inadequate weight loss in 9, slippage in 9, gastric erosion in 1, bowel obstruction in 1, acute stomach dilatation in 1, and food intolerance in 7. Twenty of these patients underwent revisional surgery: sleeve gastrectomy in 12 and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 8 cases. Unrelated band complication was seen in 15.6%, mainly due to anemia (7.5%), alopecia (4.5%), and cholelithiasis (3.5%). With a median follow-up of 48 months (1-72 months), 75, 60, and 95% of patients were available for follow-up at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 58.8 ± 30.0%, 56.8 ± 35.0%, and 58.4 ± 46.6%, respectively. However, failure rate (%EWL <50%) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 40.4, 43.5, and 46.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LAGB has low perioperative morbidity. However, its late complications are significant, and inadequate weight loss can be as high as 46.3% after 5 years.

Increased activity of hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and bile acid synthesis in gallstone disease.

UNLABELLED: A strong interrelationship exists between the regulation of bile acid (BA) metabolism and hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) production. We have recently shown that BA synthesis is increased in gallstone disease. We investigated the activity of hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) as a surrogate of VLDL production, BA synthesis, and mRNA expression levels of proteins that regulate fatty acid (FA) metabolism in the liver of gallstone (GS) patients compared with GS-free patients. Twenty-seven volunteers subjected to elective surgery; 9 were GS-free and 18 with GS agreed to have a liver biopsy. We quantified by a fluorescence assay the activity of MTTP and by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) the mRNA content of hepatic MTTP and genes that regulate hepatic sterol and FA metabolism. Plasma was assayed for lathosterol and 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one. Liver histology was normal in GS and GS-free patients. Serum VLDL triglycerides and apoB were significantly increased in GS. Hepatic triglycerides tripled in GS (P<0.001) compared with GS-free. MTTP activity increased 70% (P<0.001). Serum lathosterol and hepatic cholesterol concentrations, and mRNA expressions of MTTP, CD36, and FABP1 were similar in GS-free and GS patients. Hepatic mRNA expression of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGS) were significantly decreased--40% and 27%, respectively--in GS. Serum 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one was 75% higher, and mRNA expression of CYP7A1 was increased sevenfold (P<0.001) in GS. CONCLUSION: Hepatic MTTP activity and BA synthesis are increased in GS. Results suggest that hepatic VLDL production and trafficking of BA are increased in gallstone patients.

Predictors of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in obese patients undergoing gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are conditions gaining increasing recognition in hepatology as a potential cause of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Obesity is one of the main risk factors. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of NAFLD in obese patients and to identify variables that predict NASH. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of obese patients undergoing gastric bypass over a 20-month period. Assessment included liver function tests and evaluation of insulin resistance with the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). Liver biopsy was performed in all patients at the time of surgery. Clinical and biochemical variables were analyzed using a multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of NASH. RESULTS: 127 consecutive patients were included (62% female, 38% male, mean age 40+/-11 years, mean body mass index 42+/-6 kg/m(2)). Arterial hypertension was present in 52 patients (41%) and type 2 diabetes in 18 (14%). NAFLD was confirmed in 80 patients (63%), 47 (37%) had simple steatosis, and 33 (26%) had NASH. Cirrhosis was found in 2 patients corresponding to 1.6% of the total population. On multivariate analysis, AST >31 (IU/L) (OR 3.38, CI 1.17-9.8) and HOMA-IR >5.8 (OR 4.18, CI 1.39-12.49) independently predicted NASH. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is highly prevalent in morbidly obese patients. A high proportion of these patients exhibit NASH on histological examination. Insulin resistance represents the main predictor of NASH.

Ileo mecánico por cuerpos extraños / Mechanical ileus of foreign bodies

Se analizan 17 pacientes intervenidos por íleo mecánico debido a cuerpos extraños. Catorce pacientes (82%) presentaban condiciones predisponentes, siendo el principal factor la cirugía abdominal previa, presente en 12 casos. La etiología más frecuente correspondió a Bezoares, con trece casos (76%). Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos de urgencia, siendo la mortalidad operatoria de 5,8%. El tratamiento quirúrgico de urgencia es la única alternativa terapéutica en caso de íleo mecánico por cuerpo extraño, pero para los fitobezoares gástricos diagnosticados oportunamente, existen alternativas de tratamiento médico como son la fracturación endoscópica y la disolución enzimática