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We explored the severity of binge eating, loss of control over eating, emotional eating, and night eating before bariatric surgery and annually for 3 years following surgery. We also assessed the impact of post-operative eating psychopathology on weight outcomes. Eight hundred forty-four patients participated in this prospective cohort study. Demographic factors, self-report measures of eating pathology (BES, NEQ, EES, EDE-Q), and weights (kg) were collected pre-surgery and annually for 3 years after surgery. The severity of problematic eating behaviors decreased after surgery and remained lower than baseline throughout follow-up. An increase was noted in binge eating scores (change in mean score ± SD = 0.85 ± 4.71; p = 0.002), emotional eating scores (2.00 ± 13.63; p = 0.033), and loss of control eating scores (1.11 ± 7.01; p < 0.001) after the first post-operative year that continued to the third post-operative year. There was also an increase in night eating scores between 2 and 3 years post-surgery (2.52 ± 8.00; p = 0.01). Higher 1-year post-operative binge eating scores were a significant predictor of lower 2-year % total weight loss (β = − 0.39, confidence interval (CI) − 1.23, − 0.16, p = 0.012). The severity of problematic eating behaviors decrease after bariatric surgery, but increase significantly between the first and third post-operative years. Binge Eating Scale score at 1 year post-surgery was the only significant predictor of reduced percent total weight loss at 2 years. Additional prospective studies with adequate power are required to assess the progression of these eating pathologies beyond 3 years and their impact on weight outcomes beyond 2 years.

Bariatric surgery has a lot of problems in anesthesia. We retrospectively compared anesthesia for bariatric surgery in yellow race with that in normal weight patients. Twenty patients who received bariatric surgery and 20 normal body weight patients who received abdominal surgery in Japan were enrolled. Induction condition, depth of epidural space, dose of anesthetics, duration of the effects of muscle relaxants, ventilation, and fluid management in bariatric surgery were analyzed and compared with those in normal body weight patients. An epidural catheterization was successful under ultrasound guide in the bariatric group. The depth epidural space was significantly larger in the bariatric group. Cormack and Lehane classification and the number of intubation attempt were not different between the two groups, while one bariatric case was once awakened to intubate blindly. Pressure-controlled ventilation was used in the bariatric group. Four bariatric patients were continuously ventilated after surgery. The doses of anesthetics and fluid infusion rate were not different between the two groups when calculated by ideal body weight in the bariatric group. The duration of the effects of rocuronium and pancuronium were shorter in the bariatric group. For anesthesia of yellow race patients undergoing bariatric surgery, intravenous anesthetics and acetate Ringer's solution with 1% glucose could be administered per ideal body weight, the effects of muscle relaxants lasted shorter, pressure-controlled ventilation could keep oxygenation with adequate carbon dioxide, and ultrasound assist was useful in epidural catheterization in the bariatric patients.

The safety and efficacy of the needle catheter jejunostomy (NCJJ) is evaluated in 200 consecutive, prospectively studied gastric bypass procedure patients with a follow-up of 6 months to 9.5 years. The NCJJ was used in place of intravenous fluid administration from the first postoperative day to supplement oral fluids for 6 weeks postoperatively and for complete temporary supplementation in 16 patients with viral illness or pouch outlet obstruction, thus avoiding re-hospitalization for rehydration. We did not use X-ray confirmation of the catheter placement. Analysis revealed no major complications with no catheter dislodgement, associated intra-abdominal sepsis or late bowel obstruction. There were 24 (12%) subcutaneous infections, only four (2%) of which required minor incisions and drainage under local anesthesia. Risk factors for the infections were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the actual withdrawal of the NCJJ (50% of the infections occurred at this time). The NCJJ has been a safe, useful and cost-effective adjunct in the operative management of the morbidly obese patient.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is a treatment option for morbid obesity leading to substantial and sustained weight loss in adults. As obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in obese subjects and may increase the perioperative risk, screening for OSA is recommended prior to BS. In clinical routine, BS is performed more frequently in women. Therefore, we sought to assess the gender-specific performance of four sleep questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), STOPBang, and NoSAS) to predict moderate to severe OSA in the morbidly obese population. We applied all four questionnaires to patients scheduled for BS with polygraphic OSA screening at our institution between 2012 and 2015 and performed gender-specific sensitivity analyses. We included 251 bariatric patients (76% female, median age 39 years, median BMI 42.0 kg/m2). OSA (AHI > 5/h; AHI > 15/h) was present in 43% (females 35%, males 68%; p < 0.001) and 21% (females 13%, males 45%; p < 0.001). STOPBang and NoSAS performed markedly better than ESS and FSS. With the exception of the ESS, all sleep questionnaires allowed better OSA prediction in women than in men. In obese patients scheduled for BS, a gender-specific difference was observed in the performance of the evaluated OSA screening questionnaires. This needs to be considered when these questionnaires are used. Our results underline the need for better gender-specific OSA screening algorithms in morbidly obese patients.

As an advanced surgical procedure, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is associated with considerable morbidity, especially in the learning curve period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endoscopy during LRYGB surgery in assessing the gastric pouch and anastomosis for air leak, bleeding, and structure at the beginning of a bariatric surgery program. Patients who underwent LRYGB for morbid obesity between May 2008 and May 2009 were included in this study. After the completion of the anastomosis, an endoscopic examination was carried out. The transection line and anastomosis site were examined for bleeding and patency and inspected for air leak under laparoscopic vision. Thirteen morbidly obese patients (mean body mass index, 48.0 ± 6.8 kg/m2) were evaluated by endoscopic examination during the LRYGB operation. None of the cases had bleeding at the transection line or anastomosis site. In two patients, air leak test was positive and the anastomosis was reinforced with additional sutures. All the patients, including those with positive air leak test, were discharged from the hospital with no leak complications. After a mean follow-up of 9.1 ± 5.5 months, except for the patient who underwent balloon dilatation, no other patient had anastomotic stricture. Intraoperative endoscopy is invaluable in the assessment of bleeding, anastomotic patency, and air leak during LRYGB, and it might be a helpful auxiliary tool to decrease morbidity during the learning curve period. Also, it helps solve intraoperative problems during the surgery so that postoperative complications might be prevented.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has been associated with reduced all-cause mortality. While the number of subjects with substance use disorders (SUD) before MBS has been documented, the impact of pre-operative SUD on long-term mortality following MBS is unknown. This study assessed long-term mortality of patients with and without pre-operative SUD who underwent MBS. Two statewide databases were used for this study: Utah Bariatric Surgery Registry (UBSR) and the Utah Population Database. Subjects who underwent MBS between 1997 and 2018 were linked to death records (1997–2021) to identify any death and cause for death following MBS. All deaths (internal, external, and unknown reasons), internal deaths, and external deaths were the primary outcomes of the study. External causes of death included death from injury, poisoning, and suicide. Internal causes of death included deaths that were associated with natural causes such as heart disease, cancer, and infections. A total of 17,215 patients were included in the analysis. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of controlled covariates, including the pre-operative SUD. The subjects with pre-operative SUD had a 2.47 times higher risk of death as compared to those without SUD (HR = 2.47, p < 0.01). Those with pre-operative SUD had a higher internal cause of death than those without SUD by 129% (HR = 2.29, p < 0.01) and 216% higher external mortality risk than those without pre-operative SUD (HR = 3.16, p < 0.01). Pre-operative SUD was associated with higher hazards of all-cause, internal cause, and external cause mortality in patients who undergo bariatric surgery.

The ReCharge Trial demonstrated that a vagal blocking device (vBloc) is a safe and effective treatment for moderate to severe obesity. This report summarizes 24-month outcomes. Participants with body mass index (BMI) 40 to 45 kg/m2, or 35 to 40 kg/m2 with at least one comorbid condition were randomized to either vBloc therapy or sham intervention for 12 months. After 12 months, participants randomized to vBloc continued open-label vBloc therapy and are the focus of this report. Weight loss, adverse events, comorbid risk factors, and quality of life (QOL) will be assessed for 5 years. At 24 months, 123 (76 %) vBloc participants remained in the trial. Participants who presented at 24 months (n = 103) had a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 21 % (8 % total weight loss [TWL]); 58 % of participants had ≥5 % TWL and 34 % had ≥10 % TWL. Among the subset of participants with abnormal preoperative values, significant improvements were observed in mean LDL (−16 mg/dL) and HDL cholesterol (+4 mg/dL), triglycerides (−46 mg/dL), HbA1c (−0.3 %), and systolic (−11 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressures (−10 mmHg). QOL measures were significantly improved. Heartburn/dyspepsia and implant site pain were the most frequently reported adverse events. The primary related serious adverse event rate was 4.3 %. vBloc therapy continues to result in medically meaningful weight loss with a favorable safety profile through 2 years. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01327976

Background: The feasibility of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (Lap-RYGBP) for morbid obesity is well documented. In a prospective randomized trial, we compared laparoscopic and open surgery. Methods: 51 patients (48 females, mean (± SD) age 36 ± 9 years and BMI 42 ± 4 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to either laparoscopy (n=30) or open surgery (n=21). All patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year. Results: In the laparoscopy group, 7 patients (23%) were converted to open surgery due to various procedural difficulties. In an analysis, with the converted patients excluded, the morphine doses used postoperatively were significantly (p< 0.005) lower in the laparoscopic group compared to the open group. Likewise, postoperative hospital stay was shorter (4 vs 6 days, p<0.025). Six patients in the laparoscopy group had to be re-operated due to Roux-limb obstruction in the mesocolic tunnel within 5 weeks. The weight loss expressed in decrease in mean BMI units after year was 14 and 13 after 1 ± 3 ± 3 laparoscopy and open surgery,respectively (not significant). Conclusions: Both laparoscopic and open RYGBP are effective and well received surgical procedures in morbid obesity. Reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and shorter sick-leave are obvious benefits of laparoscopy but conversions and/or reoperations in 1/4 of the patients indicate that Lap-RYGBP at present must be considered an investigational procedure.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) has been very effective in managing a broad range of morbid obesity-related co-morbidities. We report a beneficial effect of LRYGBP that has not been previously observed. Methods: Between December 1999 and September 2002, 224 patients underwent LRYGBP. Preoperative assessment for hypothyroidism and follow-up data were prospectively collected in our database. Improved thyroid function (ITF) or unchanged thyroid function (UTF) was determined by comparison of preoperative and postoperative thyroxine requirements. Results: 23 of 224 patients (10.3%) were treated preoperatively for hypothyroidism. During a median follow-up of 17 months, hypothyroidism was improved in 10/23 patients (43.5%). 2 patients had complete resolution, and the remaining 8 had reduction (14%-50%) of their thyroxine requirements. ITF occurred at a mean follow-up of 8.9 months and at a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 57%. 6 of the 8 patients (75%) with ITF ≥ 25% had EWL >90% at last follow-up, compared to 1 out of 15 patients (6.6%) with UTF or <25% improvement (P =0.001). Comparison of patients with ITF and UTF over time during a 20-month follow-up, showed no significant difference in mean body mass index (BMI) and mean percentage of EWL. Conclusion: Improvement of hypothyroidism may be an additional benefit of bariatric surgery that has not been previously reported. Reduction of thyroxine requirements is most likely the result of the decrease in the BMI.