Search

Background: Our aim was to monitor the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) on body composition over a 24-month period by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)., Methods: Forty-one women (40.6 ± 10.0 years old; 42.6 ± 6.6 kg/m(2)) entering a bariatric surgery programme were submitted to whole-body DXA (Lunar iDXA) before treatment and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Fat mass (FM), non-bone lean mass (LM), bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were measured at whole body and regionally. Android visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was estimated by a recently validated software., Results: Twenty-nine patients (44.3 ± 11.8 years old; BMI, 45.4 ± 8.9 kg/m(2)) concluded the study. Following surgery, the progressive decrease of BMI was associated with reduced whole-body and regional FM. LM showed a moderate decrease at 3 months and stabilized thereafter. A progressive decrease of total FM/LM and android FM/LM ratios were observed in the 3- to 6-month (-19.1 ± 8.4 % and -26.5 ± 10.9 %, respectively; p < 0.0001) and 6- to 12-month periods (-23.5 ± 16.8 % and -29.4 ± 23.9 %, respectively; p < 0.0001). VAT was the parameter showing the largest decrease (-65.6 ± 17.5 % at 12 months; p < 0.0001). Two years after the surgery, a slight but significant decrease of total and regional LM was observed, without any significant change in BMI., Conclusions: Body composition significantly changes after RYGBP with a metabolically healthier redistribution of total and regional FM and a positive balance of FM/LM variation. DXA should be considered as a valid supplementary tool for the clinical assessment and follow-up in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: The optimal dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after bariatric surgery remains controversial. The aim of this multicentre, open-label, pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of the LMWH parnaparin administered to patients undergoing bariatric surgery., Methods: Patients were randomised to receive 4,250 IU/day (group A) or 6,400 IU/day (group B) of parnaparin s.c. for 7-11 days. Bilateral colour Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb was performed before surgery and at the end of the treatment period. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic and symptomatic deep vein thrombosis, symptomatic pulmonary embolism and death from any cause during treatment. The primary safety endpoint was major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding., Results: A total of 258 patients underwent randomization; 8 subjects were excluded following the safety analysis. One hundred thirty-one patients [106 females; mean age, 40.3 years (standard deviation (SD) ±9.6); mean body mass index (BMI), 44.6 kg/m(2) (SD ±5.4)] were assigned to group A and 119 patients [93 females; mean age, 41.5 years (SD ±9.9); mean BMI, 44.2 kg/m(2) (SD ±5.4)] were assigned to group B. The rate of the primary efficacy outcome was 1.5% (two cases; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.2-6.0%) in group A as compared with 0.8% (one case; 95% CI, 0.4-5.3%) in group B (p = ns). The composite incidence of major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding was 6.1% (eight cases; 95% CI, 2.9-12.1%) in group A and 5.0% (six cases; 95% CI, 2.1-11.1%) in group B (p = ns)., Conclusions: A parnaparin dose of 4,250 IU/day seems suitable for VTE prevention in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: The aims of this study are to evaluate the macroscopic and microscopic changes in the remnant stomach at mid-term follow-up of patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on vertical banded gastroplasty (RYGB-on-VBG). The stomach could be reached through a 1.1-cm gastro-gastrostomy with an endoscope of standard size., Methods: From January 2009 to July 2010, 51 asymptomatic patients at 4 and 5 years follow-up after RYGB-on-VBG submitted to upper endoscopy. All of them were examined with standard endoscopy with collection of biopsies in gastric fundus, body, and antrum. The macroscopic and microscopic findings were analyzed according to Sydney Classification., Results: The endoscopy of the remnant stomach was technically easy and already showed on macroscopic examination 90 % cases of gastritis (41.2 % mild, 49 % severe) with tendency of severity in the distal stomach part. Histological analysis detected 39.2 % of active gastritis, 50.6 % of quiescent gastritis, 7.8 % of intestinal metaplasia, and 3.9 % of lymphoma-like gastritis., Conclusions: The results surprised us. We found a very high rate of mucosa abnormalities after RYGB-on-VBG. All of the patients have to be regularly controlled in follow-up and treatment has to be introduced when needed. Again, we would like to ask the question: what is happening with the remnant stomach after standard RYGB, banded gastric bapass, or minigastric bypass? Did we reach the time to answer the question?

Background: Cancer, perforation and bleeding in the bypassed stomach after RYGBP are rare but serious complications that require early diagnosis. Our goal was to perform a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) whereby the traditional endoscopic and x-ray study of the bypassed stomach was possible, and at the same time obtain a good weight loss, similar to the standard RYGBP. We developed the RYGBP-on-Vertical banded gastroplasty (RYGBP on VBG), where a Goretex band surrounds the gastro-gastric outlet., Methods: From June 2002 to September 2005, 128 patients, 94 female and 34 male, with age 50.5 +/- 14.8 SD years, BMI 51.6 +/- 7.2 SD kg/m2, and %EW 117.9 +/- 33.5 SD underwent RYGBP on VBG via an open approach. Radiological and, if necessary, endoscopic study has been carried out at 6 months, 1 year and then annually postoperatively., Results: Two cases of anastomotic ulcer were detected, but no case of infection of the prosthetic material was found. Preoperative BMI fell from 51.6 +/- 7.2 to 38.1 +/- 6.6 after 6 months, to 35.0 +/- 7.1 after 1 year, to 34.4 +/- 6.1 after 2 years, and to 33.2 +/- 5.5 after 3 years., Conclusion: RYGBP on VBG was effective; the weight loss curve, compared to standard RYGBP, is similar, while allowing the traditional x-ray and endoscopy of the bypassed stomach and thus the biliary tract.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is rarely performed in Italy because it involves gastric exclusion. RYGBP with the stomach partitioned by an adjustable gastric band has been previously described. We have developed a functional RYGBP (FRYGBP) where an adjustable band allows access from a stapled gastric bypass pouch into the distal stomach., Methods: From October 2001 to May 2002, 16 patients underwent FRYGBP. A 30-cc vertical gastric pouch was fashioned by a 25-mm circular and 90-mm four-row stapler as in the Mason VBG. A hand-sewn retrocolic gastroenterostomy with 150-cm Roux and 30-cm afferent limbs completed the operation. The pouch outlet was encircled distal to the gastrojejunostomy by a non-inflated adjustable gastric band. The bands were inflated at 1 month during barium swallow, to demonstrate occlusion of the gastro-gastric outlet and patency of the gastrojejunostomy., Results: There was no operative mortality. After 1 year, mean percent excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) was 71.2 +/- 16.2% (SD), and gastroscopy of the bypassed stomach was possible on 81% of the patients. There were three asymptomatic late complications (19%): two band erosions, converted to RYGBP, and one stenosis of the gastro-gastric outlet., Conclusion: FRYGBP thus far has been effective and allows the study of the excluded stomach. This ongoing study will undergo long-term evaluation.

Background: Since 1991 we performed vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) as our surgical treatment of choice for morbid obesity in 680 patients, and since 1996 we also performed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in 36 patients. For revisional surgery, the surgeons chose procedures based on their experience., Methods: We recorded early complications (0.6%) and late complications (8.5%) after the primary operations. When staple-line disruption or stenosis of the banded stoma occurred after VBG, revisional surgery was performed with re-VBG or conversion to RYGBP. Some early complications needed emergency operation for bleeding or gastric perforation., Results: Mortality was zero. Reoperation with re-VBG and RYGBP was effective in all patients, but for many, a long stay in hospital was necessary because reoperation had a high rate of early and late complications, 33.8% and 21.8% respectively., Conclusion: The treatment of complications after VBG with re-VBG and RYGBP had danger. We believe that when VBG failure occurs, to avoid dangerous complications again, we should perform a biliopancreatic diversion, which does not involve a gastric restriction.