Implantable Gastric Stimulation (IGS™) as Therapy for Human Morbid Obesity: Report from the 2001 IFSO Symposium in Crete

This supplement contains reports from a symposium on a novel approach to treat obesity, gastric myo-electrical stimulation, that was held at the IFSO in Greece in 2001. There were four presentations. Xavier Pi-Sunyer from Columbia University in New York discussed medical risks of obesity. Karl Miller from Austria presented technical aspects of the surgery. Valerio Cigaina from Italy, the originator of the concept, reviewed his 7-year results with this therapy. Finally, Jerome D’Argent from France gave his preliminary results employing higher energy electrical stimulation parameters.Customarily weight loss data are presented as percent excess weight lost (%EWL), an antiquated measurement, eg. all subjects were purchasing life insurance, the poor and minorities were under-represented and those with heart disease, malignancies or diabetes were excluded. In this supplement weight loss data are presented in a novel manner: percent excess body mass index (BMI) lost %EBL.This innovation merits an explanation and justification. The NIH/NIDDK convened a panel, chaired by Professor Pi-Sunyer, that concluded that for adults a BMI of 25 should be considered the upper limit of normal. Accordingly, we have proposed that BMI units in excess of 25 be considered to represent 100% of the excess weight of an individual. The USA FDA has agreed to accept weight loss data presented as %EBL.The intriguing data presented justify further evaluation of this novel, potentially useful and relatively benign treatment of obesity.     

Intragastric Balloon or Diet Alone? A Retrospective Evaluation

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have reported results of the BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB(R)) at >/=12 months follow-up. The aim of this study is the retrospective evaluation of the results of BIB placement compared to diet regimen alone. METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2006, 130 outpatients underwent a structured diet plan with simple behavioral modification at our institutions. Controls (n = 130) were selected from the charts of patients who, during the same period, underwent BIB treatment. Patients in the outpatient group were given a structured balanced diet with a caloric intake between 1,000 and 1,200. The approximate macronutrient distribution, according the "Mediterranean diet," was 25% protein (at least 60 g/day), 20-25% lipids, and 50-55% carbohydrates. In the BIB group, patients received generic counseling for eating behavior. In both groups, we considered weight loss parameters (kilograms, percentage of excess weight loss [%EWL], body mass index [BMI], percentage of excess BMI loss [%EBL]) at 6 and 24 months from baseline and comorbidities at baseline and after 24 months. Results are expressed as mean+/-standard deviation. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test and chi (2)-test or Fisher's exact test. p < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At the time of BIB removal (6 months), significantly better results in terms of weight loss in kilograms (16.7 +/- 4.7 vs. 6.6 +/- 2.6; p < 0.01), BMI (35.4 +/- 11.2 vs. 38.9 +/- 12.1; p < 0.01), %EBL (38.5 +/- 16.1 Vs 18.6 +/- 14.3; p < 0.01), and %EWL (33.9 +/- 18 vs. 24.3 +/- 17.0; p < 0.01) were observed in patients treated by intragastric balloon as compared to diet-treated patients. At 24 months from baseline, patient dropout was 1/130 (0.7%) and 25/130 (19.2%) in the BIB and diet groups, respectively (p < 0.001). At this time, patients treated with intragastric balloon have tended to regain weight, whereas diet-treated patients have already regained most of lost weight. CONCLUSIONS: Although the strength of this study may be limited by its retrospective design, the results indicate that, in the short-to-medium term, BIB is significantly superior to diet in terms of weight loss.     

Intragastric Balloon in Association with Lifestyle and/or Pharmacotherapy in the Long-Term Management of Obesity

Background

Intragastric balloon (BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon, BIB®) or pharmacotherapy are possible options for the treatment of obese patients when traditional approaches have failed. The aim of our study was to compare in obese patients the effect on weight loss and metabolic changes of lifestyle modifications associated with either BIB or pharmacotherapy or the two treatments in sequence as a maintenance strategy for weight loss.

Methods

Fifty obese patients were recruited and randomly assigned to lifestyle modifications combined with either BIB for 6 months (n?=?30) or sibutramine (pharmacotherapy group) for 1 year (n?=?20). After BIB removal, patients were randomly assigned to either correct lifestyle (BIB/lifestyle) or lifestyle plus pharmacotherapy (BIB/pharmacotherapy).

Results

At 6 months, patients treated with BIB lost significantly (P?P?P?

Conclusions

BIB represents an efficacious long-term obesity treatment when supplemental strategies, as lifestyle modifications or pharmacotherapy, are established for weight maintenance after its removal.

     

Laparoscopic Gastric Rebanding for Slippage with Pouch Dilation: Results on 29 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) slippage with pouch dilation is one the most serious long-term complications and requires reoperation in most cases. It is still controversial whether banding should be offered again or a different procedure should be chosen. We report the results of synchronous de-rebanding on a prospective series of patients treated at our institution for slippage with pouch dilation. METHODS: From January 2000 to May 2007, 29 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic de-rebanding for slippage with pouch dilation. The mean age at primary operation was 38.9 +/- 8.2 years and the mean BMI was 46.4 +/- 8 kg/m(2). Twenty-eight had previous LAGB, while one had previous open gastric banding, the perigastric technique being used at that time. All the redo procedures were successfully carried out under laparoscopy, via the pars flaccida technique, and all the patients were followed-up according to the usual schedule. RESULTS: The mean time from the original LAGB was 45.3 +/- 30.3 months, and the mean follow-up after rebanding was 26.9 +/- 20.6 months. At rebanding, the mean BMI was 34.3 +/- 7.6, percent excess weight loss (%EWL) 54.5 +/- 31, and percent excess BMI loss (%EBL) 58.3 +/- 33, respectively. After 1 year, BMI was 36.3 +/- 7.9, %EWL 40.8 +/- 30.5, and %EBL 43.9 +/- 32.7, respectively. After 2 years, BMI was 37.13 +/- 7.4, %EWL 36.9 +/- 29.4, and %EBL 39.6 +/- 31.6, respectively, and after 3 years, BMI was 33.5 +/- 5.6, %EWL 51.9 +/- 24.3, and %EBL 55.7 +/- 25.7, respectively. One patient had re-rebanding after 6 months for a new slippage, two had band removal with refusal to switch to another procedure, one had biliopancreatic diversion for slippage recurrence, and one underwent sleeve gastrectomy for insufficient weight loss after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a limited series, our results show that good outcomes can be expected after rebanding in properly assessed patients with slippage and pouch dilation. Larger series and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.     

The Serial Changes of Ghrelin and Leptin Levels and Their Relations to Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Minigastric Bypass Surgery

Background The ghrelin and leptin levels have been reported to be correlated with weight loss after bariatric surgery. However, the serial changes of ghrelin and leptin levels after laparoscopic minigastric bypass surgery (LMGBP) have not been reported yet. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate their serial changes and to analyze their relations to weight reduction after LMGBP. Methods Serial fasting serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations were measured in 68 morbidly obese patients before (M0) and 1 (M1), 3 (M3), 6 (M6), and 12 (M12) months after LMGBP surgery. The correlations between ghrelin, insulin, and leptin concentrations and weight reduction were analyzed. Results Leptin levels were significantly reduced at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, respectively (vs M0, p < 0.001), whereas the ghrelin concentrations were not significantly changed after surgery. The percent of excess BMI lost (%EBL) 12 months after surgery was negatively correlated with higher preoperative ghrelin concentrations (p = 0.004) and larger preoperative BMI (p = 0.002) in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Higher preoperative ghrelin concentrations and larger BMI are predictive of less %EBL at 12 months after LMGBP surgery.     

Percentage of excess BMI lost correlates better with improvement of metabolic syndrome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in morbidly obese subjects: anthropometric indexes and gastric bypass

BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex disorder characterized by a number of cardiovascular risk factors usually associated with central fat deposition and insulin resistance. Many different medical treatments are available for MS, including bariatric surgery, which improves all risk factors. The present study aimed to evaluate, at the Clinic of Gastroenterology and Obesity Surgery (Brazil), the accuracy of different anthropometric indexes and their correlation with improvement of the MS factors in the postoperative (6-month) period.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 140 patients who had undergone gastric bypass. Most of the patients were women (79.3%). The mean body mass index was 44.17 kg/m². We evaluated the weight of the subjects, the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension as co-morbidities, and the biochemical parameters. The anthropometric indexes tested included the percentage of excess weight loss, amount lost in kilograms, difference in the body mass index, percentage of initial weight lost, percentage of excess body mass index lost (%EBL), and percentage of initial fat mass lost.ResultsThe %EBL had a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.55 (P <.0001) for the difference between the MS factors before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The receiver operating characteristic curve for the %EBL resulted in an area under the curve of 0.846 (P = 0.0001) and a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 61.29%, respectively, for a cutoff value of 64.55%.ConclusionThe %EBL was the best method to report weight loss and the improvement in MS in morbidly obese subjects after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.     

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy��Radiological Assessment of Fundus Size and Sleeve Voiding

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is now considered an effective bariatric procedure (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery statement). We attempted to assess the size of the gastric fundus remaining after LSG and gastric voiding rate (fast/slow) by radiological upper gastrointestinal series (UGS) with a water-soluble contrast medium (CM). The findings were compared with weight loss data.

Methods

Seventy-four obese patients underwent LSG. Radiological UGS were used to measure the remaining fundus size in 28 of 74 patients 24?C72 h after the procedure, with the aid of Matlab software and a library image processing toolbox (MathWorks®). Sleeve voiding was measured in 57 of 74 patients, based on the patients?? radiological reports.

Results

The mean volume of the remaining fundus was 17.56 ml (range 1.00?C77.03 ml). The mean percent excess BMI loss (%EBL) was 39.5%, 53.7%, and 60.8%, respectively, 3, 6, and 12 months after LSG. Sleeve voiding was fast in 49 of 57 patients (85.96%) and slow in eight (14.03%).

Conclusions

No correlation was found between the estimated volume of the remaining gastric fundus and weight loss (%EBL) after LSG. Patients showing a rapid gastroduodenal transit of the CM achieved a better weight loss than patients with a slow voiding rate.     

Eating Behavior as a Prognostic Factor for Weight Loss after Gastric Bypass

BACKGROUND: Binge-eating disorder (BED) may be associated with unsatisfactory weight loss in obese patients submitted to bariatric procedures. This study aims to investigate whether the presence of binge eating before Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) influences weight outcomes. METHODS: In a prospective design, 216 obese patients (37 males, 178 females, BMI=45.9 +/- 6.0 kg/m2) were assessed for the lifetime prevalence of BED and classified at structured interview into 3 subgroups: no binge eating (NBE=43), sub-threshold binge eating (SBE=129), and binge-eating disorder (BED=44). All patients were encouraged to take part in a multidisciplinary program following surgery, and weight loss at follow-up was used as the outcome variable. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, NBE patients (n=41) showed percent excess BMI loss (%EBL) significantly higher than SBE patients (n=112) (P=0.027), although this effect was not significantly different between NBE and BED patients (n=44). At 2-year follow-up, NBE patients (n=33) showed %EBL higher than SBE (n=64) (P=-0.003) and BED patients (n=34) (P<0.001). Nevertheless, we found no significant weight loss differences between SBE (subclinical) and BED (full criteria) patients at any period of follow-up. Preliminary results at 3-year follow-up suggest that such an effect may be enduring. CONCLUSION: The presence of a history of binge eating prior to treatment is associated with poorer weight loss in obese patients submitted to RYGBP. Because BED is highly prevalent in obese patients seeking bariatric surgery, its early recognition and treatment may be of important clinical value.     

Mason gastric bypass. Long-term follow-up and comparison with other gastric procedures

The Mason gastric bypass as performed over 8 years on 171 patients for the treatment of massive exogenous obesity. The first 26 patients had a large pouch constructed, and poor long-term weight loss occurred. In the last 6 years, 145 patients had a smaller pouch with a 5.5 percent immediate postoperative complications rate. One early death resulted. Late complications and revisions were few. In the last 145 patients there were only 9 who did not maintain a weight loss of greater than 25 percent of their total weight. This group of 145 patients have lost an average of 42 percent of their total weight (121 pounds) and 72 percent of their excess weight. The stapled Alden gastric bypass and horizontal gastroplasties, when compared with the Mason gastric bypass, have similar complications with the potential for poor weight loss after long-term follow-up due to channel enlargement or staple-line leakage. The Mason gastric bypass is an excellent surgical method of weight loss.     

The Super-Magenstrasse and Mill Operation with Pyloroplasty: Preliminary Results

Background Our strategy for performing various types of bariatric operations in order to make them suitable for the individual morbidly obese patient, has led us to take into account the original Magenstrasse and Mill (M&M) operation and modify it. This resulted in the so-called Super-Magenstrasse and Mill with pyloroplasty (SM&M-P). Methods In the past 3 years, 34 patients with mean BMI 48 and mean age 43 years underwent the SM&MP operation for morbid obesity. A digitoclasic pyloroplasty was performed and a 36-Fr bougie was used to calibrate the Magenstrasse. A 21-mm circular stapler was used to create a gastric window 10 cm proximal to the pylorus. The stapled division of the stomach to 3–4 cm from the pylorus and to the angle of His was performed first distally via the gastric window and then proximally from the window. Results 2 patients have reached 3 years since the operation: one could not be assessed due to the development of rectal cancer 1 year after surgery, and the other one has had an excellent outcome with 3-year BMI 26 kg/m². 8 patients who underwent the surgery 2 years ago have a mean percent excess BMI loss (%EBL) of 69, and 19 patients who have reached 1 year have %EBL 64. All patients have experienced a clear reduction of appetite, with vomiting absent or rare. Conclusions The SM&M-P procedure confers to this restrictive intervention some characteristics similar to gastric bypass, including rapid transit of the alimentary contents in the prepyloric “mill”, scarse reflux into the gastric fundus, possible enteroendocrine effects and loss of interest in food.     

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding in Morbidly Obese Adolescents

Background: 4% of adolescents in the U.S.A. are obese, 80% of whom will become obese adults. Obesity in adolescence is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in adulthood. Is laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding a safe and effective method of weight loss in morbidly obese adolescents? Methods: Since 1996, data has been prospectively collected on all patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) by a single surgeon. Patients are reviewed at 6 and 12 weeks following surgery,then at 3 monthly intervals.Weight loss is measured in absolute terms, reduction in body mass index (BMI) and as percentage of excess weight loss. Results: 17 patients with a median age of 17 (12 to 19) years underwent LAGB. Median follow-up was 25 (12 to 46) months. 2 complications occurred, 1 slipped band and 1 leaking port. BMI fell from a preoperative median of 44.7 to 30.2 kg/m² at 24 months following surgery, corresponding to a median loss of 35.6 kg or 59.3% of excess weight. 13 of 17 patients (76.5%) lost at least 50% of their excess weight, and 9 of 11 patients (81.8%) had a BMI <35 kg/m² at 24 months following surgery. Conclusion: LAGB is a safe and effective method of weight loss in morbidly obese adolescents, at least in the medium term. Its role in preventing obesity and obesity-related disease in adulthood remains to be determined as part of our long-term study.     

Understanding Dietary Monitoring and Self-Weighing by Gastric Bypass Patients: a Pilot Study of Self-Monitoring Behaviors and Long-Term Weight Outcomes

Background

Weight and dietary monitoring have been associated with better weight loss outcomes among dieters using lifestyle modification, but they have rarely been studied among gastric bypass surgery patients. This exploratory study examined dietary and weight self-monitoring behaviors and their association with weight outcomes in a sample of gastric bypass patients who were at least 12?months post-surgery.

Methods

A convenience sample of 32 female and 5 male patients living in Upstate New York was recruited through support group list-servs. The participants completed an anonymous on-line survey about their weight histories, surgical histories, current weights, dietary monitoring practices, weight monitoring practices, and demographic characteristics. Measures were developed to assess frequency of monitoring behaviors (recording food intake, mentally tracking food, weighing/measuring foods, and self-weighing). Weight loss outcomes, based on self-reported weights, were current body mass index (BMI), percent excess BMI lost, and percent weight loss maintained.

Results

Mean pre-surgical BMI was 49.5?±?6.6. The participants were at an average of 32?months post-surgery with a BMI 31.2?±?6.6. They maintained 89.2?±?14.1?% of their weight loss and 76.3?±?26.0?% excess BMI was lost. Higher scores for dietary monitoring behaviors, being unmarried, and lower pre-surgery BMI were associated with lower current BMI and greater excess BMI lost when controlling for age, sex, and time since surgery.

Conclusions

This study yielded constructs, measures, and relationships that warrant further examination in a larger sample of gastric bypass patients.     

Operations that are Questionable for Control of Obesity

At the last review of the literature, there were 43 different operations or modifications thereof used for the control of obesity. An effective operation for obesity control should produce a significant weight loss (≥25% excess weight loss) to ameliorate the associated medico-socio-psycho-economic ramifications of the obesity. The operative and postoperative significant morbidity should be less than 20% and mortality less than 1%. The weight lost should be maintained for a long period (≥5 years). The effects of the operation should be reproducible and documentable by more than two authors working independently. For the purpose of this paper, operations which do not meet these criteria are considered questionable and not recommended for general use. Based on these criteria, questionable operations for treatment of obesity include: tooth wiring, acupuncture, hypothalamic center manipulation, liposuction, balloon insertion, unbanded gastric partitioning, vagotomy, gastrogastrostomy, horizontal gastroplasty, gastric wrap, gastroclip, and any variety of gastroplasty without a reinforced stoma, intestinal bypass, duodenal bypass and biliointestinal bypass. Data to substantiate this classification will be presented and discussed. Since the surgical treatment of obesity is evolving, there is need to collect data from and make modifications to improve the effects of all operations. There is not enough data at this time to prohibit the use of any operation, but the data presented will justify limiting the use of certain operations to institutions dedicated to meticulous follow-up and research.     

Markers of Bone and Calcium Metabolism Following Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that morbid obesity is associated with vitamin D deficiency and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). Studies have also suggested that there is an increase in vitamin D deficiency, bone resorption, and elevated PTH after gastric bypass surgery. Few studies have evaluated markers of bone and calcium metabolism after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or compared these results to those after gastric bypass. METHODS: Data on all patients undergoing primary gastric bypass (GBP; n = 979) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB; n = 269) procedures at a tertiary-referral center from June 1996 through March 2005 were reviewed from a prospective database. Only patients with 25OH vitamin D levels available were included in this study (n = 534; GBP = 403, LAGB = 131). All patients were advised to take at least 1,200 mg calcium and 800-1,200 IU of vitamin D daily before and subsequent to their operation. Markers for bone metabolism [25OH Vitamin D, corrected serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and PTH] were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. An analysis of variance and chi-square were performed to determine differences between the operative groups. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative body mass index (BMI) and 25OH vitamin D and PTH levels and between percent excess weight loss and 25OH vitamin D and PTH after surgery. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of all patients presented with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) and 14% presented with elevated PTH preoperatively. Mean 25OH vitamin D levels and AP levels increased significantly after GBP surgery (vitamin D, 17 to 25 ng/ml 12 months post-op; AP, 80 to 90 IU/L 24 months post-op). Corrected calcium levels remained within normal limits and showed no change over time after both procedures. AP levels significantly increased from 76 IU/l preoperatively to 82 IU/l 6 months after LAGB surgery and then decreased to 59 IU/l 24 months after LAGB surgery. Linear regression analysis of preoperative vitamin D, PTH, and BMI values showed a significant positive relationship between initial BMI and PTH (r = 0.29) and a significant negative relationship between vitamin D and initial BMI (r = -0.19). A significant positive linear relationship between vitamin D and percent excess weight loss was evident 12 and 24 months after GBP surgery (r = 0.39 and 0.57, respectively). A negative relationship was evident between PTH and vitamin D 6 months after GBP surgery (r = -0.35) and 12 months after LAGB surgery (r = -0.61). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that morbid obesity is associated with vitamin D deficiency, and elevated PTH and with adequate supplementation, GBP, and particularly LAGB, patients can improve their bone metabolism abnormalities related to obesity. Furthermore, adequate supplementation for GBP patients may attenuate the increased risk for bone loss associated with malabsorption from the bypass.     

Pre-operative Weight Loss Does Not Predict Weight Loss Following Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Background

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the amount of weight lost on a mandatory 2-week pre-operative very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) would predict the longer-term outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

Methods

All patients treated with a primary LAGB from 21 October 2008 until 30 June 2010, who were prescribed a 2-week pre-operative VLCD, have been included in the study. Patient age, weight, BMI and excess weight (defined as weight above a BMI of 25) were extracted on the day of first visit, day of surgery and at the post-operative visits at 3, 12 and 24 months. From these data, percent excess weight loss (EWL) was calculated and compared at all time points.

Results

The weight loss achieved on a mandatory 2-week pre-operative diet did not predict weight outcomes at 2 years (r?=??0.008; p?=?0.931). Using multivariate analysis, the best predictor of 24-month percent EWL was percent EWL at 3 months post operation (sr²?=?0.34; p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

Results from a pre-operative diet should not be used to predict the ultimate outcome of bariatric surgery. The weight loss at 3 months following LAGB was a strong predictor of longer-term outcomes. There may be potential for improving longer-term results with LAGB by better supporting patients who are not achieving good weight loss at this early time point.     

Remission of Psoriasis after Open Gastric Bypass

Psoriasis is a frequent skin disease, affecting 2% of the world's population. Stress, alcohol, smoking and obesity may be associated with psoriasis. A 56-year-old man with BMI 46.9 kg/m², hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux, had severe psoriasis for the last 39 years, without any remission on multiple treatments. Psoriatic papules and plaques were noted on his face, dorsum of hands, buttocks, knees, and elbows. He underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. At 4-month follow-up, the patient had lost 23 kg or 34.8% of excess weight, and presented complete remission of the psoriasis without medications. Bariatric surgery for positive metabolic, psychological and lifestyle consequences should be considered a treatment of psoriasis. Long-term observation is necessary.     

Gastric bypass for obesity: Results of a community hospital series

Seven hundred patients at a community hospital underwent gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Postoperative complications developed in 14.9 percent. The incidence of major complications was particularly low. Both weight loss and the percentage of excess weight lost in the postoperative period were very satisfactory. The criteria for selecting patients for gastric bypass are presented and preoperative evaluation is reviewed. Major technical points in the operation are stressed. Roux-Y reconstruction of gastrointestinal continuity is the preferred technique in our hands. This report reemphasizes the safety and efficacy of gastric bypass as a treatment for morbid obesity. When careful patient selection, preoperative evaluation and operative techniques are combined, excellent results can be expected in the community hospital.     

Critical analysis of jejunoileal bypass

This study analyzed a group of morbidly obese patients who underwent jejunoileal bypass over a 10 year period. Patients underwent either a Payne or Scott procedure. Weight loss was reported in terms of percent of excessive weight loss. Results showed that patients who had a Payne bypass had an average excess weight loss of 75 percent, whereas those with the Scott bypass had an average excess weight loss of 61 percent. All patients lost weight. Complications in this series were lower than what has been traditionally reported. The problem that occurred most often was kidney stones (8 percent of the patients). There has been only one death to date. The low incidence of complications can be attributed to the fact that the patients were evaluated, operated on, supervised, and followed by one doctor and his associated nurses. Thus, it is proposed that jejunoileal bypass, compounded with good patient care and careful patient selection, can produce positive results with a minimum number of problems.     

Complications and weight loss in 150 consecutive gastric exclusion patients. Critical review

Results of extensive follow-up for weight loss and complications in 150 consecutive patients who underwent a standardized gastric exclusion procedure have been presented. A comparative review of the literature has also been presented. All patients were followed for up to 6 years (mean 27.8 months). Only one patient was lost to follow-up. Complications during this period occurred in 54.7 percent of our patients. These were mainly postsurgical biliary disease and ventral hernias. Our recent experience has suggested that the latter complications could have been prevented. The absence of pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and stomal ulcer in our series, as well as the low incidence of perforations, thrombophlebitis, and stomal and pouch complications suggest that the occurrence of these complications can be minimized as well. Patients in this series lost an average of 75 percent of their excess weight, 38 percent of their original weight, and stabilized at 30 percent above their ideal body weight. Ninety percent of the weight loss occurred in the first 12 months. Eighty percent of the patients, however, continued to lose weight 18 months postoperatively and 40 percent lost weight up to 24 months postoperatively. Weight loss has been maintained from 2 to 5 years. In conclusion, analysis of available data has demonstrated that careful patient selection, attention to technical detail, and close follow-up are of paramount importance for providing successful results and minimizing complications in the morbidly obese population who undergo gastric exclusion surgery.     

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy — Influence of Sleeve Size and Resected Gastric Volume

Background Although the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for morbidly obese patients with a BMI of < 50 kg/m², the incidence of weight gain by change of eating behaviors, and gastric dilatation following LSG have not been investigated thus far, LSG is becoming more common as a single-stage operation for the treatment morbid obesity. Methods This is a prospective study of the initial 120 patients who underwent isolated LSG. Initially, the LSG was performed without a calibration tube and resulted in high sleeve volumes (group 1: n = 25). In group 2 (n = 32), a calibration tube of 44 Fr and in group 3 (n = 63) a calibration tube of 32 Fr were used. The study group consists of 101 patients with high BMI who were scheduled for a two-step LBPD-DS, but rejected the second step after 1 year. Study endpoints include estimated sleeve volume, volume of removed stomach, operative time, complication rates, length of hospital stay, changes in co-morbidity, percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBL) and changes in BMI (kg/m²). Results All 3 groups were comparable regarding age, gender, and co-morbidities. There was no hospital mortality, but there was one case of late mortality (0.8%). 2 early leaks (1.7%) were seen. % excess BMI loss was significantly higher for patients who underwent LSG with tube calibrations. LSG with large sleeve volume showed a slight weight gain during 5 years of observation. A total of 16 patients (13.3%) underwent a second stage procedure within a period of 5 years (2 redo-sleeves, 7 LBPD-DS, 3 LRYGBP). Conclusion Early weight loss results were not different between the groups, but after 2 years the more restrictive LSG (groups 2, 3) results were significantly better than in patients without calibration. A removed gastric volume of < 500 cc seems to be a predictor of failure in treatment or early weight regain. A statistically significant improved health status and quality of life were registered for all groups. The general introduction of LSG as a one-stage restrictive procedure in the bariatric field can be considered only if the procedure is standardized and long-term results are available.