Malnutrition defined by GLIM criteria identifies a higher incidence of malnutrition and is associated with pulmonary complications after oesophagogastric cancer surgery, compared to ICD-10-defined malnutrition.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Low muscle mass, measured using computed tomography (CT), is associated with poor surgical outcomes. We aimed to include CT-muscle mass in malnutrition diagnosis using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, compare it to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) criteria, and assess the impact on postoperative outcomes after oesophagogastric (OG) cancer surgery. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients who underwent radical OG cancer surgery and had preoperative abdominal CT imaging were included. GLIM and ICD-10 malnutrition data were assessed against complication and survival outcomes. Low CT-muscle mass was determined using predefined cut-points. RESULTS: GLIM-defined malnutrition prevalence was significantly higher than ICD-10-malnutrition (72.2% vs. 40.7%, p < 0.001). Of the 78 patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition, low muscle mass (84.6%) was the predominant phenotypic criterion. GLIM-defined malnutrition was associated with pneumonia (26.9% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.010) and pleural effusions (12.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.029). Postoperative complications did not correlate with ICD-10 malnutrition. Severe GLIM (HR: 2.51, p = 0.014) and ICD-10 (HR: 2.15, p = 0.039) malnutrition were independently associated with poorer 5-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: GLIM criteria appear to identify more malnourished patients and more closely relate to surgical risk than ICD-10 malnutrition, likely due to incorporating objective muscle mass assessment.

A 4-tier Protocolized Radiological Classification System for Leaks Following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a classification of sleeve gastrectomy leaks able to reliably predict outcomes, from protocolized computed tomography (CT) findings and readily available variables. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Leaks post sleeve gastrectomy remain morbid and resource-consuming. Incidence, treatments, and outcomes are variable, representing heterogeneity of the problem. A predictive tool available at presentation would aid management and predict outcomes. METHODS: From a prospective database (2009-2018) we reviewed patients with staple line leaks. A Delphi process was undertaken on candidate variables (80-20). Correlations were performed to stratify 4 groupings based on outcomes (salvage resection, length of stay, and complications) and predictor variables. Training and validation cohorts were established by block randomization. RESULTS: A 4-tiered classification was developed based on CT appearance and duration postsurgery. Interobserver agreement was high (κ = 0.85, P < 0.001). There were 59 patients, (training: 30, validation: 29). Age 42.5 ± 10.8 versus 38.9 ± 10.0 years (P = 0.187); female 65.5% versus 80.0% (P = 0.211), weight 127.4 ± 31.3 versus 141.0 ± 47.9 kg, (P = 0.203). In the training group, there was a trend toward longer hospital stays as grading increased (I = 10.5 d; II = 24 d; III = 66.5 d; IV = 72 d; P = 0.005). Risk of salvage resection increased (risk ratio grade 4 = 9; P = 0.043) as did complication severity (P = 0.027).Findings were reproduced in the validation group: risk of salvage resection (P = 0.007), hospital stay (P = 0.001), complications (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: We have developed and validated a classification system, based on protocolized CT imaging that predicts a step-wise increased risk of salvage resection, complication severity, and increased hospital stay. The system should aid patient management and facilitate comparisons of outcomes and efficacy of interventions.

Long-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Revisional Procedure Following Adjustable Gastric Banding: Variations in Outcomes Based on Indication.

BACKGROUND: Significant controversy exists regarding the indications and outcomes after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) conversions to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). AIM: To comprehensively determine the long-term outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy as a revisional procedure after LAGB across a range of measures and determine predictors of outcomes. METHODS: Six hundred revision LSG (RLSG) and 1200 controls (primary LSG (PLSG)) were included. Patient demographics, complications, follow-up, and patient-completed questionnaires were collected. RESULTS: RLSG vs controls; females 87% vs 78.8%, age 45 ± 19.4 vs 40.6 ± 10.6 years, p = 0.561; baseline weight 119.7 ± 26.2 vs 120.6 ± 26.5 kg p = 0.961). Follow-up was 87% vs 89.3%. Weight loss in RLSG at 5 years, 22.9% vs 29.6% TBWL, p = 0.001, 10 years: 19.5% vs 27% TBWL, p = 0.001. RLSG had more complications (4.8 vs 2.0% RR 2.4, p = 0.001), re-admissions (4.3 vs 2.4% RR 1.8, p = 0.012), staple line leaks (2.5 vs 0.9%, p = 0.003). Eroded bands and baseline weight were independent predictors of complications after RLSG. Long-term re-operation rate was 7.3% for RLSG compared to 3.2% in controls. Severe oesophageal dysmotility predicted poor weight loss. RLSG reported lower quality of life scores (SF-12 physical component scores 75.9 vs 88%, p = 0.001), satisfaction (69 vs 93%, p = 0.001) and more frequent regurgitation (58% vs 42%, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: RLSG provides long-term weight loss, although peri-operative complications are significantly elevated compared to PLSG. Longer-term re-operation rates are elevated compared to PLSG. Four variables predicted worse outcomes: eroded band, multiple prior bands, severe oesophageal dysmotility and elevated baseline weight.

Changes in Oesophageal Transit, Macro-Reflux Events, and Gastric Emptying Correlate with Improvements in Gastro-Intestinal Symptoms and Food Tolerance Early Post Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: There are significant alterations in gastro-intestinal function, food tolerance, and symptoms following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). These substantially change over the first year, but it is unclear what the underlying physiological basis for these changes is. We examined changes in oesophageal transit and gastric emptying and how these correlate with changes in gastro-intestinal symptoms and food tolerance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Post-SG patients undertook protocolised nuclear scintigraphy imaging along with a clinical questionnaire at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were studied: mean age (44.8 ± 8.5 years), 76.9% females, pre-operative BMI (46.9 ± 6.7 kg/m2). Post-operative %TWL was 11.9 ± 5.1% (6 weeks) and 32.2 ± 10.1% (12 months), p-value < 0.0001. There was a substantial increase of meal within the proximal stomach; 22.3% (IQR 12%) (6 weeks) vs. 34.2% (IQR 19.7%) (12 months), p = 0.038. Hyper-accelerated transit into the small bowel decreased from 6 weeks 49.6% (IQR 10.8%) to 42.7% (IQR 20.5%) 12 months, p = 0.022. Gastric emptying half-time increased from 6 weeks 19 (IQR 8.5) to 12 months 27 (IQR 11.5) min, p = 0.027. The incidence of deglutitive reflux of semi-solids decreased over time; 46.2% (6 weeks) vs. 18.2% (12 months), p-value < 0.0001. Reflux score of 10.6 ± 7.6 at 6 weeks vs. 3.5 ± 4.4 at 12 months, (p = 0.049) and regurgitation score of 9.9 ± 3.3 at 6 weeks vs. 6.5 ± 1.7, p = 0.021 significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that there is an increase in the capacity of the proximal gastric sleeve to accommodate substrate over the first year. Gastric emptying remains rapid but reduce over time, correlating with improved food tolerance and reduced reflux symptoms. This is likely the physiological basis for the changes in symptoms and food tolerance observed early post-SG.

Comprehensive Analysis of Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life and Establishment of QALY Gains in a Government-Funded Bariatric Surgical Program with 5-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is an efficacious intervention for substantial and sustained weight reduction in individuals with morbid obesity resulting in health improvements. However, the changes to a patient's health related quality of life (HRQoL) in the medium to longer term after bariatric surgery have not been adequately characterized. Our aim was to evaluate the change to patient HRQoL 5 years following bariatric surgery in an Australian government-funded hospital system and determine the significance of relationships between change in physical and mental assessment scores and HRQoL utility scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a longitudinal panel study of 81 adult patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery at an Australian tertiary government-funded hospital and completed multi-attribute utility (MAU), multi-attribute non-utility (MA), and disease-specific adjusted quality of life (AQoL) questionnaires before and after bariatric surgery. RESULTS: At a mean (SD) 5.72 (1.07) years postbariatric surgery, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in mean AQoL-8D utility (0.135 (0.21); P < 0.0001), yielding a mean 3.2 (1.67) QALYs gained. Beck Depression Inventory-II scores improved (baseline mean 17.35 (9.57); 5-year mean 14.7 (11.57); P = 0.037). Short Form-36 scores improved in the domains of physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health and general health. Change in depression scores and patient satisfaction with surgery were found to be significant predictors of follow up AQoL utility scores. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery improves physical and psychological quality of life measures over 5 years. The improvement of patient QALYs provide insight to the potential cost utility of publicly funded bariatric surgery in the medium term.

Long-Term Outcomes of Revisional Malabsorptive Bariatric Surgery: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risk?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of revisional malabsorptive bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Malabsorptive bariatric procedures are increasingly performed in the revisional setting. We collated and analysed prospectively recorded data for all patients who underwent a revisional Biliopancreatic diversion + / - duodenal switch (BPD + / - DS) over a 17-year period. RESULTS: We identified 102 patients who underwent a revisional BPD + / - DS. Median follow-up was 7 years (range 1-17). There were 21 (20.6%) patients permanently lost to follow-up at a median of 5 years postoperatively. Mean total weight loss since the revisional procedure of 22.7% (SD 13.4), 20.1% (SD 10.5) and 17.6% (SD 5.5) was recorded at 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. At the time of revisional surgery, 23 (22.5%) patients had diabetes and 16 (15.7%) had hypercholesterolaemia with remission of these occurring in 20 (87%) and 7 (44%) patients respectively. Nutritional deficiencies occurred in 82 (80.4%) patients, with 10 (9.8%) patients having severe deficiencies requiring periods of parenteral nutrition. Seven (6.9%) patients required limb lengthening or reversal procedures. There were 16 (15.7%) patients who experienced a complication within 30 days, including 3 (2.9%) anastomotic leaks. Surgery was required in 42 (41.2%) patients for late complications. CONCLUSION: Revisional malabsorptive bariatric surgery induces significant long-term weight loss and comorbidity resolution. High rates of temporary and permanent attrition from follow-up are of major concern, given the high prevalence of nutritional deficiencies. These data question the long-term safety of malabsorptive bariatric procedures due to the inability to ensure compliance with nutritional supplementation and long-term follow-up requirements. KEY POINTS: • Revisional bariatric surgery workload is increasing • Revisional malabsorptive surgery is efficacious for weight loss and comorbidity resolution • Revisional malabsorptive surgery is associated with high rates of nutritional deficiencies • Attrition from follow-up in this specific cohort of patients is of particular concern due to the risk of undiagnosed and untreated nutritional deficiencies.

Initial radiologic appearance rather than management strategy predicts the outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy leaks.

BACKGROUND: Initial radiologic appearance rather than management strategy predicts the outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy leaks. OBJECTIVE: Multiple modalities have been advocated for the treatment of sleeve gastrectomy leak, and there remains no consensus on the best treatment paradigm. For more than 10 years, we have variably attempted luminal occlusive therapies and repeated endoscopic debridement as treatment options. By evaluating the outcomes from these approaches, we aimed to determine whether the first management strategy is superior to the second in terms of outcomes. METHODS: Patients were analyzed by group (luminal occlusive therapy versus repeated endoscopic debridement). Leaks were then stratified by radiologic appearance on computed tomography, defined as phlegmon, collection, contrast medium leak, or fistula. The primary outcome was length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were comprehensive complication index and the need for resection. RESULTS: There were 54 patients, with 22 in the luminal occlusion group and 32 in the repeated debridement group. There was no difference in LOS (59.8 ± 41.6 versus 46.5 ± 51.2 days, P = .179) and no difference in the requirement for resection (4 versus 3 resections, p = .425). Subset analysis suggested that patients who underwent operative versus conservative management (P = .006) had a longer LOS. Excluding management strategy, radiologic appearance on admission significantly predicted LOS (P = .0053). Patients presenting with fistula (84 ± 25.4 days) and contrast medium leak (64.1 ± 40 days) had a significantly longer LOS than those diagnosed with phlegmon (13.5 ± 5.5 days). Radiologic appearance was predictive of complication severity (P < .0001) and salvage resection (P = .008). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in outcomes between patients treated with intraluminal occlusion or repeated debridement. Initial radiologic appearance was predictive of LOS and complication severity. This highlights the need for routine use of a validated classification system in studies reporting outcomes and treatment of sleeve leaks.

Delayed Gastric Emptying After Sleeve Gastrectomy Is Associated with Poor Weight Loss.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate to long-term weight regain is a major challenge following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Physiological changes that mediate the extent of weight loss remain unclear. We aimed to determine if there were specific esophago-gastric transit and emptying alterations associated with weight regain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants greater than 12 months post-SG were categorized into optimal (n = 29) and poor weight loss (PWL) (n = 72). All patients underwent a liquid contrast barium swallow demonstrating normal post-surgical anatomy and a protocolized nuclear scintigraphy designed specifically to characterize gastric emptying following SG. RESULTS: The %total weight loss in the optimal group was 26.2 ± 10.5 vs. 14.3 ± 8.8% in the PWL group (p = 0.001). Scintigraphy showed PWL had relatively increased gastric emptying half-time (GE 1/2t) 35 (IQR 23) min vs 19 (IQR 5.5) min (p = 0.001). The multivariate regressions delineated GE 1/2t as the best diagnostic measure for PWL (OR 1.16; CI 1.04-1.29, p-value 0.021). The probability of PWL increased by 16% for every 1-min increase above 21 min of GE 1/2t. A threshold of 21 min was found to have 88% sensitivity and 69% specificity predicting poor weight loss. CONCLUSION: Gastric emptying half-times greater than 21 min appear to reliably correlate with poor weight loss following SG. Additionally, further elevations above 21 min in emptying half-time increase the risk of poor weight loss. We have shown nuclear scintigraphy represents a simple and accurate diagnostic tool in patients who experience poor weight loss after SG, provided substantially altered reporting references in interpreting nuclear scintigraphy are applied.

Potential positive effects of bariatric surgery on healthcare resource utilisation.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether a bariatric surgical procedure is associated with a reduction in healthcare utilisation among patients with obesity and high pre-procedural healthcare needs. METHODS: Design: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary Victorian public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine adults who underwent publicly funded primary bariatric surgery between 2008 and 2018 at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and had high resource use over the year prior to surgery, defined as at least two of ≥3 hospital admissions, ≥7 inpatient bed days for obesity-related co-morbidities or inpatient hospital costs ≥$10 000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in inpatient and outpatient resource use. RESULTS: After 1 year following bariatric surgery, total hospital bed days decreased from 663 to 80 and the median (Q1, Q3) per patient decreased from 7 (4.5, 15) to 5 (2.25, 9.75) (p = 0.001) and the total number of hospital admissions fell from 118 to 67 (p < 0.001). The median cost of inpatient care decreased from $11 405 ($4408, $22251) to $3974 ($0, $4325) per annum (p < 0.001). The total and median number of outpatient attendances did not significantly change 12 months after bariatric surgery, but the demand for outpatient services unrelated to bariatric surgery declined by a median of four visits per patient (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from this small pilot study suggests that Bariatric surgery has the potential to decrease resource use and inpatient hospital costs over a 1-year time frame for obese patients with high resource use. These data will be used to design a prospective randomised controlled trial to provide more definitive information on this important issue.

Low muscularity increases the risk for post-operative pneumonia and delays recovery from complications after oesophago-gastric cancer resection.

BACKGROUND: Low muscularity is associated with adverse surgical outcomes. We aimed to determine whether low muscularity is associated with an increased risk of post-operative complications and reduced long-term survival after oesophago-gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent radical oesophago-gastric cancer surgery with preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging were included. Low skeletal muscle index (SMI), measured by CT, was determined using pre-defined cut-points. Oncological, surgical, complications and outcome data were obtained from a prospective database. RESULTS: Of 108 patients, 61% (n = 66) had low SMI preoperatively. Patients with low SMI had a higher rate of post-operative pneumonia (30 vs. 7% normal muscularity, P = 0.004). Median length of stay (LOS) was higher in patients with low SMI if they had any complication (19.5 vs. 14 days, P = 0.026) or pneumonia (21 vs. 13 days, P = 0.018). On multivariate analysis, low SMI (OR 3.85, CI 1.10-13.4, P = 0.025), preoperative weight loss (OR 1.13, CI 1.01-1.25, P = 0.027), and smoking (OR 5.08, CI 1.24-20.9, P = 0.024) were independent predictors of having a severe complication. There was no difference in 5-year overall (62% vs. 69%, P = 0.241) and disease-free (11% vs. 21.4%, P = 0.110) survival between low SMI and normal muscle mass groups. CONCLUSION: Low SMI is associated with a significantly increased risk of pneumonia and increased LOS for patients with complications. Assessment of muscle mass may require additional muscle quality, strength, and physical performance measures to enhance preoperative risk assessment.

Myosteatosis predicts higher complications and reduced overall survival following radical oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Low muscle attenuation, as governed by increased intramuscular fat infiltration (myosteatosis), may associate with adverse surgical outcomes. We aimed to determine whether myosteatosis is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and reduced long-term survival after oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent radical OG cancer surgery with preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging were included. Myosteatosis was evaluated using previously defined cut-points for low skeletal muscle attenuation measured by CT. Oncological, surgical, complications, and outcome data were obtained from a prospective database. RESULTS: Of 108 patients, 56% (n = 61) had myosteatosis. Patients with myosteatosis were older (69.1 ±â€¯9.1 vs. 62.8 ±â€¯9.8 years, p = 0.001) and had a similar body mass index (BMI) (23.4 ±â€¯5.3 vs. 25.9 ±â€¯6.7 kg/m2, p = 0.766) compared to patients with normal muscle attenuation. Patients with myosteatosis had a higher rate of anastomotic leaks (15% vs. 2%, p = 0.041). On multivariate analysis, myosteatosis was an independent predictor of overall (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.31-6.99, p = 0.009) and severe complications (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.26-14.9, p = 0.020). Patients with myosteatosis had reduced 5 year overall (54.1% vs. 83%, p = 0.004) and disease-free (55.2% vs. 87.2%, p = 0.007) survival. CONCLUSION: Myosteatosis is associated with a significantly increased risk of overall and severe complications as well as substantially reduced long-term survival. Assessment of muscle attenuation provides analysis beyond standard anthropometrics and may form part of preoperative physiological staging tools used to improve surgical outcomes.

Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Severe Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: Obesity and cardiac failure are globally endemic and increasingly intersecting. Bariatric surgery may improve cardiac function and act as a bridge-to-transplantation. We aim to identify effects of bariatric surgery on severe heart failure patients and ascertain its role regarding cardiac transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of a prospectively collected database identified heart failure patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2017. Patients were followed up 12 months post-operatively. Cardiac investigations, functional capacity, cardiac transplant candidacy, morbidity and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (15 males, 6 females), mean age 48.7 ± 10, BMI 46.2 kg/m2 (37.7-85.3) underwent surgery (gastric band (18), sleeve gastrectomy (2), biliopancreatic diversion (1)). There were no loss to follow-up. There was significant weight loss of 26.0 kg (5.0-78.5, p < 0.001), significant improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (10.0 ± 11.9%, p < 0.001) and significant reduction of 0.5 New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (0-2, p < 0.001). Multivariate models delineated the absence of atrial fibrillation and pre-operative BMI < 49 kg/m2 as significant predictors (adjusted R-square 69%) for improvement of LVEF. Mean length of stay was 3.6 days and in-hospital morbidity rate was 42.9%. One patient subsequently underwent a heart transplant, and two patients were removed from the waitlist due to clinical improvements. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery is safe and highly effective in obese patients with severe heart failure with substantial improvements in cardiac function and symptoms. A threshold pre-operative BMI of 49 kg/m2 and absence of atrial fibrillation may be significant predictors for improvement in cardiac function. There is a role for bariatric surgery to act as a bridge-to-transplantation or even ameliorate this requirement.

Indications and efficacy of endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure therapy for upper gastrointestinal perforations.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (EndoVAC) therapy is a recent innovation described for use in upper gastrointestinal perforations and leaks, with reported success of 80-90%. It provides sepsis control and collapses the cavity preventing stasis, encouraging healing of the defect. Whilst promising, initial reports of this new technique have not established clear indications, feasibility and optimal technique. METHODS: We analysed all patients who underwent EndoVAC therapy between 2014 and 2016. The technique involved a standard gastroscope, nasogastric tube and vacuum-assisted closure dressing kit, with endoscopic placement of the polyurethane sponge. Data were collected on indication, technique, sepsis control, outcomes and drainage volumes. RESULTS: Ten patients were treated. Average age was 56.7 ± 12.3 years. There were three mortalities. EndoVAC placement was feasible in nine patients and successful healing was observed in six patients. Failure was more likely in the cases of large (>8 cm), chronic or complex cavities. A three-phase response was seen in successful cases, with initial reduction in external drainage (average: 143-17 mL/day within 1 week), followed by a progressive reduction in inflammatory markers (2 weeks) and finally a healing phase with reduction in cavity size (3 weeks). CONCLUSION: EndoVAC therapy is a potentially useful adjunct to conventional treatments of a subset of upper gastrointestinal leaks and perforations when there is a contained cavity <8 cm. It appears less effective in an uncontained perforation or chronically established tract. It has clear advantages of being easily applied with readily available equipment and disposables.

Assessing quality of care in oesophago-gastric cancer surgery in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of oesophago-gastric cancer are poor and highly variable between centres. It is important that complex multimodal treatments are applied optimally. Low case volumes at Australian centres mean that the analysis of crude outcomes is an inadequate assessment of overall quality of care. Detailed analysis across a range of quality domains offers the opportunity to measure performance. METHODS: We compared data from the UK National Oesophago-gastric Cancer Audit 2010 with the prospective Alfred Hospital oesophago-gastric cancer database. RESULTS: There were 314 Alfred and 17 279 UK patients identified. The volume of patients assessed by the Alfred was equal to the second highest quartile in the UK trust (4-5 new cases per month). Case ascertainment was better, capturing 84% of all oesophago-gastric cancer within the Alfred prospective audit (P < 0.001). The use of staging CT and PET scans was more common among Alfred patients (99% versus 89%, P < 0.01 and 83.8% versus 17%, P < 0.01, respectively). More patients embarked on a curative pathway (P < 0.01), with greater use of neo-adjuvant therapies. Acceptable lymph node yields were less in oesophagectomies (88.2% versus 96.2%, P < 0.01) and similar in gastrectomies (77.4% versus 74.6%, P = 0.61). Higher overall complications were observed in Alfred patients (P < 0.01), predominantly due to respiratory complications. Perioperative mortality after resection and 1-year survival was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing a range of quality domains as a means of identifying areas of deficiency is feasible. This allows for contemporaneous improvements in service quality and may be more appropriate in the Australian setting than focusing on volume.

Outcomes of high-volume bariatric surgery in the public system.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has not been widely used in the Australian public health system. As obesity is strongly associated with socio-economic status, excluding its use from the public system will deny many of the most in-need access to a potentially very effective treatment. Alternatively, with rigorous follow-up and behavioural change requirements, highly successful outcomes in the private system may not translate to the public system. METHODS: The Alfred Hospital rapidly expanded bariatric surgery from 2007. A 6-year prospective follow-up study was conducted with annual review of weight, co-morbidities, retention in follow-up, serum HbA1c, quality of life and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There were 1453 patients. Procedures were predominantly laparoscopic-adjustable gastric bands (n = 861). Patient details were age 49 ± 11 years, body mass index 50.7 ± 11.2 kg/m(2) and weight 139.0 ± 30.2 kg. There was no mortality, and mean length of stay was 1.1 ± 1.2 days. Follow-up was 98% (1 year) and 85% (6 years). Weight loss was 22 ± 13.1 kg (32.8 ± 18% excess weight loss) at 1 and 30.1 ± 16.8 kg (60 ± 28%) at 6 years. The mean number of co-morbidities was 4.2 ± 1.1 with significant improvements observed. Patient satisfaction was 7.7 ± 2.3 out of 10. Mental and physical summary scores (SF-36) improved from 41.02 ± 13.17 to 45.50 ± 13.27 (P < 0.001) and 33.97 ± 10.53 to 44.79 ± 11.19 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients were older, heavier and suffered more co-morbid disease than previously reported cohorts. For the first time, excellent outcomes across a range of key quality domains in a large patient cohort have been reported in the public system. High-volume bariatric surgery in the public system is viable.

A Pre-Hospital Patient Education Program Improves Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: We designed an assessment and education program which was delivered to patients prior to first outpatient appointment for bariatric surgery. We hypothesised that this program would streamline care and would lead to improved weight loss following bariatric surgery. METHODS: The program incorporates a structured general practitioners (GP) review, a patient information evening and an on-line learning package. It was introduced in September 2012. Patient flow through the program was recorded. Outcomes of the new program were compared with contemporaneously treated patients who did not undertake the pre-hospital program. RESULTS: All 636 patients on the waiting list for first appointment at the Alfred Health bariatric surgery clinic were invited to participate. There were 400 patients ultimately removed from the waiting list for first appointment. Of the remaining 236 patients, 229 consented to participate in the new program. The mean BMI was 47.8 ± 9.2. The fail to attend first appointment rate dropped from 12 to 2.1 %. At 12 months post-bariatric surgery, patients who undertook the new program (n = 82) had a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 41.1 ± 20.3 % where as those treated on the standard pathway (n = 61) had a mean EWL 32 ± 18.0 % (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a pre-hospital education program has led to an improvement in attendance rates and early weight loss post-bariatric surgery.

Diagnosis and Management of Oesophageal Cancer in Bariatric Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal cancer following bariatric surgery adds significant complexity to an already challenging disease. There is limited data on the diagnosis, presentation and management in these complex cases. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on prospectively collected data over 10 years was conducted. The oesophago-gastric cancer database was searched for patients with prior bariatric surgery. Data were retrieved on bariatric and cancer management. RESULTS: We identified nine patients with oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma after bariatric surgery. Mean age was 58.3 ± 6.9 years, and duration from bariatric surgery was 13.2 ± 9.4 years. Weight loss at diagnosis was 30.6 ± 23.3 kg (excess weight loss 58.1 % ± 29.6). Modes of presentation were Barrett's surveillance (n = 3), reflux symptoms (n = 4) and incidental (n = 2). Management was surgical resection (n = 4), endoscopic mucosal resection (n = 2) and palliative (n = 3). Surgical resections were challenging due to adhesions, obesity, luminal dilatation and scarring on the stomach. There were two substantial leaks following gastroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal cancer following bariatric surgery is a challenging problem, and surgical resection carries high risk. A high index of suspicion is required and symptoms investigated precipitously. Technical challenges of operating on obese patients and the specific effects of previous bariatric procedures need to be understood, particularly the limitations on reconstructive options.

Ex vivo dissection increases lymph node yield in oesophagogastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Retrieval and analysis of an adequate number of lymph nodes is critical for accurate staging of oesophageal and gastric cancer. Higher total node counts reported by pathologists are associated with improved survival. A prospective study was undertaken to understand the factors contributing to variability in lymph node counts after oesophagogastric cancer resections and to determine whether a novel strategy of ex vivo dissection of resected specimens into nodal stations improves node counts reported by pathologists. METHODS: The study involved 88 patients with potentially curable oesophagogastric cancer undergoing radical resection. Lymph node counts were obtained from pathology reports and analysed in relation to multiple variables including the introduction of ex vivo dissection of nodal stations in theatre. RESULTS: Higher lymph node counts were obtained with ex vivo dissection of nodal stations (median 19 versus 8, P < 0.01). Node counts also varied significantly with the reporting pathologist (median range 4 to 48, P = 0.02) which was independent of the level of experience of the pathologist (P = 0.67). Node counts were not affected by patient age (P = 0.26), gender (P = 0.50), operative approach (P = 0.50) or neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Specimen handling is a significant factor in determining lymph node yield following radical oesophageal and gastric cancer resections. Ex vivo dissection of resected specimens into nodal stations improves node counts without alterations to surgical techniques. Ex vivo dissection should be considered routine.