Undergoing Weight Loss Surgery Research Articles

Early Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Following weight loss surgery, many patients initially experience nonspecific foregut symptoms. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric remnant may be associated with foregut symptoms. Inception cohort. University hospital. Ninety-nine consecutive patients being evaluated for weight loss surgery. All patients underwent preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy and H pylori testing. Foregut symptoms were documented at routine post-weight loss surgery follow-up visits. Preoperatively, 24% of patients tested positive for H pylori. Postoperative foregut symptoms were significant in 48% of the H pylori-positive group, and 19% of the H pylori-negative group (P = .02). This increase remained even after controlling for age, sex, preoperative presence of antritis, type of surgery performed, and body mass index (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval,1.1-11.8). Patients with prolonged symptoms who tested positive for H pylori were given an eradication treatment. The prevalence of H pylori infection in patients undergoing weight loss surgery is high, and a significant proportion of them have postoperative foregut symptoms. Consideration should be given to H pylori treatment in these patients.

Extensive preoperative testing is not necessary in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric bypass.

Morbidly obese patients are considered at high risk for perioperative complications and often undergo extensive testing for preoperative clearance. We analyzed prospectively collected data from 193 patients undergoing weight loss surgery between November 2000 and November 2002. Preoperative chest x-ray examination, pulmonary function tests, noninvasive cardiac testing, and blood work were performed routinely. Preoperative testing identified abnormalities on eight chest x-ray films (4%) and 29 electrocardiograms (15%), none of which required preoperative intervention. Spirometry was abnormal in 41 patients (21%); logistic regression identified preexisting asthma as predictive of obstructive physiology (odds ratio [OR] 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 8.9), and body mass index as predictive of restrictive physiology (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.2). Arterial blood gases identified only one case of severe hypoxemia requiring intervention. Mild hypoxemia was associated with increasing age (OR 14.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 114). Echocardiography demonstrated four abnormalities (2%); previous history of cardiac disease was the only risk factor (OR 14.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 114). Complete blood count did not identify 84% and 50% of the patients with iron (n=31) and vitamin B(12) (n=12) deficiencies, respectively. Age, body mass index, and history of asthma were associated with abnormal pulmonary function tests and previous cardiac disease with abnormal cardiac testing. These tests are not mandatory as a routine preoperative evaluation and can be used selectively on the basis of medical history.

Bariatric weight loss surgery: patient education, preparation, and follow-up.

Bariatric weight loss surgery is no small undertaking. It requires a lifelong commitment on the part of the patient. Education is the key to helping patients achieve optimal health and a better quality of life as a result of having undergone weight loss surgery.

Extensive preoperative testing is not necessary in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric bypass

Morbidly obese patients are considered at high risk for perioperative complications and often undergo extensive testing for preoperative clearance. We analyzed prospectively collected data from 193 patients undergoing weight loss surgery between November 2000 and November 2002. Preoperative chest x-ray examination, pulmonary function tests, noninvasive cardiac testing, and blood work were performed routinely. Preoperative testing identified abnormalities on eight chest x-ray films (4%) and 29 electrocardiograms (15%), none of which required preoperative intervention. Spirometry was abnormal in 41 patients (21%); logistic regression identified preexisting asthma as predictive of obstructive physiology (odds ratio [OR] 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 8.9), and body mass index as predictive of restrictive physiology (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.2). Arterial blood gases identified only one case of severe hypoxemia requiring intervention. Mild hypoxemia was associated with increasing age (OR 14.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 114). Echocardiography demonstrated four abnormalities (2%); previous history of cardiac disease was the only risk factor (OR 14.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 114). Complete blood count did not identify 84% and 50% of the patients with iron (n = 31) and vitamin B12 (n = 12) deficiencies, respectively. Age, body mass index, and history of asthma were associated with abnormal pulmonary function tests and previous cardiac disease with abnormal cardiac testing. These tests are not mandatory as a routine preoperative evaluation and can be used selectively on the basis of medical history.

Fibrin glue as a sealant for high-risk anastomosis in surgery for morbid obesity.

Fibrin sealants promote hemostasis and wound healing. Complex revisional surgery is performed for morbid obesity, and high-risk patients undergo weight loss surgery routinely. Fibrin sealant, Tisseel, was used by one surgeon on 120 consecutive patients at the gastrojejunal anastomosis in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). We hypothesized that the application of fibrin sealant would decrease anastomotic leaks. One surgeon (Surgeon A) used fibrin sealant for 120 consecutive patients, while two other surgeons (Surgeons B & C) served as controls and did not use fibrin glue for their last 120 patients. Surgeon A did not use fibrin glue in 120 patients to serve as an internal control. All 480 patients underwent a RYGBP. Fibrin glue was applied at the gastrojejunal anastomosis. The fibrin sealant group did not have any documented leaks on the previous 120 patients, while 5 patients with Surgeon B, 2 patients with Surgeon C and 1 patient with Surgeon A without fibrin sealant experienced enteric leaks requiring re-operation, drainage, or long-term total parenteral nutrition (N = 480 total patients). Fibrin sealant may be useful in preventing leaks and promoting healing of the "high risk" anastomosis during complex gastrointestinal surgery. While the cost of fibrin glue is to be considered, re-operation and management of subsequent enterocutanous fistulas or anastomotic strictures may be more costly than routine use for high-risk morbidly obese patients.

Effect of Weight Loss in the Morbidly Obese Patient with Severe Disability

An impairment can result in disability which can result in handicap. In Canada, disabilities have been based on 17 activities of daily living (ADL), nine of which may be due to massive obesity. Severe disability (SD) is inability to perform three or more of these ADL. During 1985, all patients with SD who underwent weight loss surgery were surveyed. Of 120 morbidly obese patients, 44 fulfilled the SD criteria. Effect of weight loss was observed over 5 years in 42 SD patients (initial mean body mass index 47.8 final 27.8), two being lost to follow-up. Disability became moderate (unable to do one or two of the ADL) in three, mild (difficult but able to perform) in 17, and disappeared in 22 patients. Two who regained lost weight redeveloped SD.