Faculty Bibliography

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!

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy is increasing, with more elderly people categorized as obese. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on patients aged>/=70 years. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients aged>/=70 years who underwent LAGB at our university hospital between 2003 and 2011. The data included age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) obtained before and after gastric banding. Operative data, length of stay, postoperative complications, and resolution of co-morbid conditions were also analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients aged>/=70 years (mean 73 years) underwent gastric banding between 2003 and 2012. Mean preoperative weight and BMI were 123 kilograms and 45 kg/m(2), respectively. On average, each patient had 4 co-morbidities preoperatively, with hypertension (n = 49; 86%), dyslipidemia (n = 40; 70%), and sleep apnea (n = 31; 54%) being the most common. Mean operating room (OR) time was 49 minutes, with all patients discharged within 24 hours. There was 1 death at 4 years from myocardial infarction, no intensive care unit admissions, and no 30-day readmissions. Mean %EWL at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 36 (+/-12.7), 40 (+/-16.4), 42 (+/-19.2), 41 (+/-17.1), 50 (+/-14.9), and 48 (+/-22.6), respectively. Follow-up rates ranged from 55/55 (100%) at 6 months to 7/9 (78%) of eligible patients at 5 years and 2/2 (100%) at 8 years. Complications included 1 band slip at year 5, 1 band removed for intolerance, and 1 port site hernia. The resolution of hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, lower back pain, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes was 27%, 28%, 35%, 31%, and 35%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LAGB as a primary treatment for obesity in carefully selected patients aged>/=70 can be well tolerated and effective with moderate resolution of co-morbid conditions and few complications.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that hiatal hernia repair (HHR) during laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) decreases the rate of reoperation. However, the technical aspects (location and number of sutures) are not standardized. It is unknown whether such technical details are associated with differing rates of reoperation for band-related problems. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed from a single institution, including 2,301 patients undergoing LAGB with HHR from July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011. Independent variables were number and location of sutures. Data collected included demographics, operating room (OR) time, length of stay (LOS), follow-up time, postoperative BMI/%EWL, and rates of readmission/reoperation. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and Chi squared tests. Kaplan-Meier, log-rank, and Cox regression tests were used for follow-up data and reoperation rates, in order to account for differential length of follow-up and confounding variables. RESULTS: There was no difference in length of follow-up among all groups. The majority of patients had one suture (range 1-6; 55 %). Patients with fewer sutures had shorter OR time (1 suture 45 min vs. 4+ sutures 56 min, p < 0.0001). LOS, 30-day readmission, band-related reoperation, and postop BMI/%EWL were not statistically significant. Anterior suture placement (vs. posterior vs. both) was most common (61 %). OR time was shorter in those with anterior suture (41 min vs. posterior 56 min vs. both 59 min, p < 0.0001). Patients with posterior suture had a longer LOS (84 % 1 day vs. anterior 74 % 1 day vs. both 74 % 1 day, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in 30-day readmission, band-related reoperation, and postoperative BMI/%EWL. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with fewer or anterior sutures have shorter OR times. However, 30-day readmission, band-related reoperation, and postoperative weight loss were unaffected by number or location of suture. The technical aspects of HHR did not appear to be associated with readmission or reoperation, and therefore a standardized approach may not be necessary.

Aims: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has gained popularity as a safe, reversible surgical treatment for morbid obesity. However, there are few studies and no consensus on revisional bariatric surgery for those patients in whom banding has failed. We analyzed results of conversion from LAGB to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion in one high-volume center. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was conducted on patients who had undergone conversion of LGB to a revisional bypass procedure during the time period January 2003 through November 2011. Data on patient demographics, surgical technique, pre- and post-operative complications, and weight loss (body mass index [BMI] and percent excess weight loss [%EWL]) were collected and analyzed. Results: We identified 76 patients at our institution who underwent conversion from LAGB to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB; n = 62), biliopancreatic diversion (BPD; n = 12), or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS; n = 2). 69 of the 76 conversions (90.8%) were completed laparoscopically. 29/76 (38.2%) had required additional surgery prior to conversion for band-related complications including slippage, erosion, port migration, hiatal hernia, bowel obstruction, or leakage; all occurred at >;30 days. After conversion, the rate of complications requiring hospitalization was 27.6% (21/76); 14.5% (11/76) occurred at<30 days. There was one mortality. Mean time from band placement to conversion was 1439 +/- 661.4 days (range 245-3140). At time of conversion, mean BMI was 44.4 +/- 6.6 kg/ m², and mean %EWL was 12.21 +/- 20.7 (range 67-75). Following conversion, mean BMI and %EWL at 12 months, respectively, were 31.6 +/- 4.2 kg/m² and 55.2 +/- 24.7, at 24 months 33.6 +/- 5.6 kg/m² and 45.3 +/- 20.1, and at 36 months 33.0 +/- 7.5 kg/m² and 46.0 +/- 18.2. Conclusions: There is an increasing need for proven corrective solutions to failed LAGB. Our results show that con!

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is safe and effective. This less invasive option involving fewer incisions and umbilical approaches is coined as single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). Over the last 3 years, we performed 46 % of our LAGBs as SILS with excellent results. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 1,644 LAGBs performed between 2008 and 2010. A total of 756 were performed as SILS bands (46 %) and 888 as standard (non-SILS) (54 %). Data points compared include operative time, percent of excess weight loss at 1 and 2 years, complication, and re-operation rates. RESULTS: Groups were matched by age, initial BMI, and gender: 584 non-SILS and 710 SILS patients. The average operating time was 44.3 +/- 19.6 min for SILS and 51.1 +/- 19.4 min for non-SILS (p < 0.001). The 12-month percent excess weight loss (%EWL) for SILS was 45.0 +/- 19.1; it was 40.7 +/- 17.5 for non-SILS (p = 0.003). The 24 month %EWL for SILS was 54.4 +/- 16.3; it was 46.4 +/- 16.1 for non-SILS (p = 0.10). Complication rates were 5.6 % (40 of 710) for SILS and 4.5 % (26 of 584) for non-SILS (p = 0.34). The 30-day readmission/re-operation rates are 1 % (seven of 710) for SILS and 1.5 % (nine of 584) for non-SILS (p = 0.37). There was one death in the SILS group. CONCLUSIONS: We have been performing more SILS bands over time. Our operative times and weight loss figures show that it is an efficient and effective means of weight loss. Furthermore, the data also show that the SILS approach is safe and does not increase operative time. In conclusion, SILS laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a safe and effective means of attaining weight loss in selected patients.

Introduction: Postoperative (PONV) and postdischarge (PDNV) nausea and vomiting are common (60-70%) after bariatric surgery. Palonosetron (Pal), a novel 5-HT3 antagonist, is an effective antiemetic with a prolonged duration of action in the setting of PDNV. We hypothesized that combination therapy with Palonosetron (Pal) and dexamethasone (Dex) would improve treatment in comparison to Palonosetron alone in patients at high risk for PONV. Methods: In this study, patients undergoing bariatric laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, a subgroup of a larger Phase IV clinical trial of patients who had laparoscopic surgery, were randomized to 8 mg Dex + 0.075mg Pal or saline + 0.075mg Pal. Data was collected postoperatively at 2, 6, 24 and 72 hrs. A Functional Living Index-Emesis (QOL-FLIE) test was administered at 96 hrs. Results: We enrolled 76 ASA 1-2 patients with at least 3 PONV risk factors. Both randomization groups had a low incidence of vomiting in the PACU (Pal, 0.0%; Pal + Dex, 5.4%) as well as at 72 hours (0.0% both groups). Complete response (no vomiting, no rescue medication) was not different between treatment groups at any time intervals. Cumulative success rates over the entire 72 hrs were 60.4% (Pal alone) vs. 60.0% (Pal + Dex). Nausea scores (4 point ordinal scale) were not different between groups for any time intervals. Cumulative success scores for nausea (score = ""none""; 0-72 hrs) were 41.9% for the Pal group, and 55.2% for the Pal+ Dex group. The Pal + Dex group showed a trend toward greater satisfaction on the QOL-FLIE scores with the greatest differences in the ""nausea domain"". Discussion: The combination therapy (Pal + Dex) did not significantly reduce the incidence of PONV or PDNV when compared with Pal alone although a trend was observed indicating the possible increased efficacy of multi-drug therapy. There was no change in comparative efficacy over 72 hrs, possibly due to the low incidence of PDNV in both groups.