Faculty Bibliography

Aims: One of the known complications of gastric bypass is the development of marginal ulcers. Without appropriate surveillance and management, these ulcers can have severe consequences, including stricture and perforation. This video presents a patient with these complications, resulting in the need for revisional surgery. Methods: The case is a 53 year-old woman with morbid obesity who underwent Roux-en- Y gastric bypass 6.5 years ago. She developed recurrent, perforated marginal ulcers requiring operative intervention prior to her presentation. Repeat endoscopy did not reveal any residual ulcers, and preoperative esophagram showed a dilated gastric pouch. The patient underwent resection of the strictured anastomosis and recreation of the gastrojejunostomy, as highlighted in the video. Results: An esophagram on the first postoperative day showed a markedly smaller gastric pouch without leak or obstruction. The patient was able to tolerated thin liquids, and was discharged to home on postoperative day 3. At her most recent office visit 2 months postoperatively, she has recovered well and is tolerating a diet. Her current BMI is 25. Conclusions: Marginal ulceration can be seen after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, and if left untreated, can result in major morbidity including stomal stricture and gastric perforation. Laparoscopic revision of the gastrojejunostomy can be performed safely and effectively

Aims: We present an interesting case of laparoscopic repair of a giant paraesophageal hernia with simultaneous bariatric surgery. The technical aspects of this challenging operation are reviewed. The video also highlights the resulting major morbidity that can occur. Methods: A 66 year-old woman was diagnosed with a type IV paraesophageal hernia including stomach, colon, and pancreas in the left chest. She was scheduled for laparoscopic repair of the hernia defect, expressing interest in concurrent bariatric surgery. Intraoperatively, the gastroesophageal junction could not be pulled into the abdomen without significant tension. We extended the Collis gastroplasty to perform a concomitant sleeve gastrectomy. The details of the operative approach are illustrated. Results: On postoperative day 2, an esophagram revealed normal passage of contrast without leak or obstruction. However, on postoperative day 6, she became febrile, with persistent tachycardia and leukocytosis. A CT scan showed a large mediastinal fluid collection consistent with a leak. The patient was taken emergently to the OR for EGD, thoracotomy, decortication, and repair of distal esophageal perforation with muscle interposition graft. On postoperative day 7 after esophageal repair, an esophagram revealed contrast extravasation from the distal esophagus. The patient underwent a repeat thoracotomy, debridement, and esophageal resection with exclusion due to necrosis, placement of pharyngostomy tube, as well as laparotomy, gastrostomy and jejunostomy tube placement. The patient was eventually discharged to a nursing facility after a prolonged hospitalization with pulmonary and infectious complications. She required multiple readmissions for tube maintenance and infectious complications. Several months later, after nutritional optimization, she is recovering from a right thoracotomy and Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. Conclusions: Large paraesophageal hernias can cause debilitating symptoms, and laparoscopic repair is often complex in nature. In morbidly obese patients, extending the Collis gastroplasty into a vertical sleeve gastrectomy can help to address the morbid obesity. However, patients must be counseled on the many serious risks and complications associated with this procedure

Aims: Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective treatment for sustained, longterm weight loss. However, surgeons are encountering some patients with weight regain and 'weight-loss failure.' Revisional bariatric surgery is becoming more common. Our video highlights gastric banding of the gastric pouch as a feasible option for revisional surgery. Methods: The case is a 55 year-old man with morbid obesity who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 10 years prior to presentation. He suffered from significant weight regain and was again classified as morbidly obese. Workup included an upper GI series, which demonstrated a dilated gastric pouch. The patient elected to undergo gastric banding of the gastric pouch in order to provide restriction and facilitate weight loss. Operative details are illustrated. Results: The patient was discharged to home the same day and has had an uneventful recovery. Most recently, at the 4-month postoperative visit, the patient has lost 30 pounds. Conclusions: Revisional bariatric surgery is becoming more prevalent, especially for weight regain. Depending on the patient's symptoms, surgical anatomy, and preoperative workup, the 'band over bypass' technique is a feasible option for revisional surgery and is effective in managing weight regain after gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children. It is linked to obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS), predisposing to future cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects that weight loss achieved with laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) has on the metabolic parameters and NAFLD scores of obese adolescents with evidence of fatty liver disease. METHODS: Adolescents undergoing LAGB were evaluated for NAFLD with evidence of fatty liver on preoperative sonogram, serum biochemistry, or both between 2005 and 2011. Primary endpoint was change in NAFLD scores after LAGB and secondary endpoint change in MS criteria. RESULTS: Fifty-six out of 155 adolescents had evidence of fatty liver disease at presentation. The group consisted of 17 (30%) male and 39 (70%) females, mean age 16.1 years (range 14-17.8 yr). Preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 48.8 kg/m2 (+/-7) dropping to 37.9 kg/m2 (+/-8.3) at 12 months and 36.8 kg/m2 (+/-8.2) at 24 months. Fifteen (27%) patients met the criteria for MS. When comparing 1-year postsurgery to presurgery, the NAFLD score decreased by an average of .68 (SD = 1.03, P<.01). The 2-year NAFLD score decreased by a mean of .38 (SD = .99, P = .01). The reoperation rate for band/port related complications was 10.7% at 2 years with no mortality. MS rates improved from 27% to 2% at 2 years (P< .01). CONCLUSIONS: LAGB is a safe and effective operation for obese adolescents with NAFLD. There was significant improvement in NAFLD scores and resolution of MS.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is being performed as a conversion after adjustable gastric banding (AGB), often in a single stage. However, some argue that it should be performed in 2 stages to improve safety. Few studies compare complications between 1-stage and 2-stage procedures. Our aim is to compare the 30-day complication rates among these two groups. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients converted from AGB to SG between 8/2008 and 10/2013 and compared patients undergoing 1-stage and 2-stage techniques. Primary outcome was overall 30-day adverse event rate (postoperative complication, readmission, or reoperation). Secondary outcomes included operating room (OR) time, length of stay (LOS), leak, infection, and bleeding rates, as well as mortality. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients underwent SG after band removal; three were excluded due to short follow-up, leaving 60 1-stage and 20 2-stage. Mean time from band removal to SG for 2-stage was 438 days. Demographics, intraoperative technique (bougie size, staple reinforcement, oversewing staple line, and leak test), and mean follow-up were not statistically different. Mean OR time (132.1 min 1-stage vs. 127.8 min 2-stage, p = 0.702) and LOS (3.1 vs. 2.4 days, p = 0.676) were similar. Overall 30-day adverse event rate was 12 % for 1-stage versus 15 % for 2-stage procedures (p = 0.705). Differences in 30-day readmission (8 vs. 5 %) and reoperation (5 vs. 0 %) were not statistically significant (p = 0.999 and 0.569, respectively). Leak (3 vs. 0 %, p = 0.999), abscess (2 vs. 5 %, p = 0.440), and bleeding rates (2 vs. 0 %, p = 0.999) were not different. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: SG performed as a conversion after AGB is safe and feasible. Our findings indicate no statistical difference in 30-day outcomes when performed in 1 or 2 stages. Future studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to further investigate these differences.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and dyslipidemia are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery is increasingly recognized as an effective intervention for improving each of these risk factors. There are sparse data on the long-term durability of metabolic changes associated with bariatric surgery, in particular with laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB). Our objective was to evaluate the durability of metabolic changes associated with LGB in nonmorbid obesity. METHODS: Fifty obese patients (BMI 30-40) with >/=1 obesity-related comorbidity were prospectively followed for five years. At follow-up, subjects underwent fasting blood measures, including lipid NMR spectroscopy and standard lipid profile. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (45 female, mean age 43.8 years) completed four years follow-up (46 completed five years). Baseline BMI was 35.1 +/- 2.6. Subjects exhibited mean weight loss of 22.3 +/- 7.9 kg (22.9 +/- 7.4%) at year one and maintained this (19.8 +/- 10.2%) over five years. At baseline, 43% (20/47) of subjects met criteria for MS. This was reduced to 15% (7/47) at year one and remained reduced over five years (13%, 6/46) (p < 0.001). There were reductions in triglycerides (p < 0.001) and increases in HDL cholesterol (HDL-C, p < 0.001) and HDL particle concentration (p = 0.02), with a trend toward increased HDL particle size (p = 0.06) at year five. Changes in triglycerides and HDL-C were more prominent in patients with MS at baseline, but unassociated with weight loss or waist circumference. Changes in HDL particle size and concentration were not associated with MS status, weight loss, waist circumference, or statin use. CONCLUSIONS: LGB produces significant weight loss, resolution of MS and changes in lipid profile suggestive of beneficial HDL remodeling. These changes persist five years following LGB.

OBJECTIVE:: To assess the impact of revisional surgery after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on weight loss at 12 and 24 months. BACKGROUND:: There is no uniform consensus as to the optimal procedure for patients requiring revision after LAGB. Few studies address the issue of weight loss after band salvage procedures, despite this being a critical factor in deciding which reoperative procedure to choose. METHODS:: A retrospective analysis was conducted of adult patients who underwent LAGB from January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2009 at a single institution. Patients who required revision for pouch-related problems including band slippage, pouch dilation, and hiatal hernia were studied. Demographic data, body mass index (BMI), percentage excess weight loss (% EWL), and operative details were recorded. Weights were recorded at 12 and 24 months after revision. These were compared with initial weight, weight before revision, and weight in patients who did not have a reoperation. RESULTS:: Of 3876 patients, 390 patients were included in analysis of weight outcomes after revision. The procedure-related mortality was 0%. Early (30-day) complications occurred in 0.5%, late complications (erosion) in 0.5%, and 29 patients (7.4%) required a second revision. For patients undergoing revision, the initial weight was 124.06 +/- 21.28 kg and BMI was 44.80 +/- 6.12 kg/m. At reoperation, weight was 89.18 +/- 20.51 kg, BMI was 32.25 +/- 6.50 kg/m and, %EWL was 54.13 +/- 21.80%. Twelve months postrevision, weight was 92.24 +/- 20.22 kg, BMI was 33.32 +/- 6.41 kg/m, and %EWL was 48.81 +/- 22.71%. Weight was 92.42 +/- 19.91 kg, BMI was 33.53 +/- 6.25 kg/m, and %EWL was 47.50 +/- 22.91% twenty-four months postrevision. CONCLUSIONS:: Reoperation for pouch-related problems after LAGB is safe and effective. Weight loss is maintained after reoperation.

Aims: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and roux-en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are safe and effective bariatric procedures. Weight loss failure occurs and revision procedures are often performed. Our aim is to review our experience converting LAGB failures into LRYGB and LSG. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 121 patients (2008-2012) who underwent bariatric revision procedures after weight loss failure or intolerance to LAGB. We compared patients revised into LRYGB and LSG. Parameters reviewed include 30-day readmissions, reoperations, operating time, length of stay (LOS), and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) from primary and secondary procedures. Four of 91 LAGB to LRYGB and 3 of 30 LAGB to LSG underwent open procedures. Results: Data on 121 revised patients was assessed 91 LAGB to LRYGB (Group 1) and 30 LAGB to LSG (Group 2). Group 1's average OR time was 168.29 min; Group 2's was 146.24 min (p = .031). Group 1's mean LOS was 4.53 days while Group 2's was 3.9 days (p = 0.628). Group 1 patients experienced 12 of 91 (13.19%) bypass related reoperations; Group 2 patients experienced 1 of 30 (3.33%) sleeve related reoperations (p = .133). Group 1 patients had 10 30-day readmissions (10.99%); Group 2 had 2 30-day readmissions (6.67%) (p = .496). Regarding the first year after conversion, %EWL from the revision was reviewed. The %EWL for the bypass versus sleeve group was 24.45 vs. 22.50 at 3 months, 44.22 vs 24.77 at 6 months, and 47.16 vs 34.12 at 12 months (p values respectively: 0.406, 0.002, 0.179). Of note, %EWL from pre-LAGB was: (bypass vs sleeve) 36.96 vs. 22.5 at 3 months, 49.07 vs 40.27 at 6 months, and 54.78 vs. 34.12 at a year. Conclusions: For patients exhibiting weight loss failure or intolerance to LAGB, both LSG and LRYGB are safe options with comparable length of stay, readmissions, and reoperations. Operative time is significantly shorter with conversion to LSG. Additional weight loss from the revision procedure is moderate in all ca!