Citations

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has gained popularity over the past decade and has been adopted in both academic and private institutions globally. We present outcomes of the largest cohort of patients from the United States undergoing ESG and evaluate these according to obesity class. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent ESG. Medical information was abstracted from the electronic record with weight records up to 2 years after ESG. Percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was calculated based on baseline weight at the procedure. SPSS (version 29.0) was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,506 patients from 7 sites were included (501 Class I obesity, 546 Class II, and 459 Class III). Baseline demographics differed according to obesity class due to differences in age, body mass index (BMI), height, sex distribution, and race. As early as 6 months post-ESG, mean BMI for each class dropped to the next lower class and remained there through 2 years. %TWBL achieved in the Class III group was significantly greater when compared with other classes at all time points. At 12 months, 83.2% and 60.9% of patients had ≥10% and ≥15% TBWL for all classes. There were no differences in adverse events between classes. DISCUSSION: Real-world data from a large cohort of patients of all BMI classes across the United States shows significant and sustained weight loss with ESG. ESG is safe to perform in a higher obesity class with acceptable midterm efficacy.

Background: Reports suggest that the rate of adverse events (AEs) post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) to be as high as 10%, with gastrointestinal bleeding being most common after post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the incidence of bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia following ES. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study. Methods: Patients with thrombocytopenia (defined as <150,000 platelets/μL) who underwent ES between May 2017 and December 2020 were identified at a tertiary care medical center. The incidence of immediate (intraprocedural oozing >5 min or requiring intervention) or delayed (clinical bleeding with associated hemoglobin drop within 14 days) post-ES bleeding was determined via manual chart review. Results: A total of 221 patients with a mean platelet count of 108,000 ± 13,000 platelets/μL underwent ERCP with ES. Immediate bleeding occurred in 11 (5%) patients with no significant drop in hemoglobin or transfusion requirement. Two patients (0.9%), both of whom were noted to have immediate bleeding, also developed delayed bleeding. Presence of malignancy was associated with an increased risk of bleeding (36.4% versus 11.4%, p = 0.037) while platelet count was not. Conclusion: In a cohort of patients with thrombocytopenia, rates of immediate and delayed bleeding are similar to previously reported AE rates of ES in the general patient population. Careful attention should be given to patients with a history of active malignancy as well as those who develop immediate bleeding as they appear to be at increased risk for bleeding complications.

Background: The current design of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) and single anastomosis duodenal–ileal bypass with sleeve (SADI-S) emphasizes the importance of the pylorus’ preservation to reduce the incidence of marginal ulcer (MU) and dumping. However, no institutional studies have yet reported data on their prevalence. We aimed to assess the incidence of MU and dumping after duodenal switch (DS) and identify the associative factors. Methods: A multi-center review of patients who underwent BPD/DS or SADI-S between 2008 and 2022. Baseline demographics, symptoms, and management of both complications were collected. Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables and the independent t-test for continuous variables. Results: A total of 919 patients were included (74.6% female; age 42.5 years; BMI 54.6 kg/m2) with mean follow-up of 31.5 months. Eight patients (0.9%) developed MU and seven (0.8%) had dumping. Patients who developed MU were more likely to be using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (p = 0.006) and have a longer operation time (p = 0.047). Primary versus revisional surgery, and BDP/DS versus SADI-S were not associated with MU or dumping. Conclusions: The incidences of MU and dumping after DS were low. NSAID use and a longer operation time were associated with an increased risk of MU, whereas dumping was attributed to poor dietary habits.

Marginal ulcer (MU) is a potential complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), with a mean prevalence of 4.6%. Early identification and prompt intervention are crucial to mitigating further complications. The pathophysiology of MU is complex and involves multiple factors, including smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and larger pouch size. Patients with MU may experience acute or chronic abdominal pain. Rarely, they may present with a complication from the ulceration, such as bleeding, perforation, or strictures. Following diagnosis by endoscopy, management of MU typically involves modification of risk factors and medical therapy focused on proton pump inhibitors. In case of complicated ulcers, surgical intervention is often required for the repair of the perforation or resection of the stricture. For recurrent or recalcitrant ulcers, endoscopic coverage of the ulcer bed, resection of the anastomosis, and abdominal or thoracoscopic truncal vagotomy may be considered. This review aims at providing an overview of the etiology, diagnosis, and management of MU after RYGB.

Abstract Background and study aims Traditional transoral outlet reduction (TORe) is a minimally invasive endoscopic approach focused on reducing the aperture of the gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomosis, while the tubular transoral outlet reduction (tTORe) consists of tabularization of the distal pouch utilizing an O-shape gastroplasty suturing pattern. The primary aim of this study was to compare short-term weight loss between TORe and tTORe. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted at a tertiary care bariatric center of excellence. The study included patients with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) who had an endoscopic revision by TORe or tTORe and had follow-up data in their electronic medical record. The primary outcome was percent total body weight loss (%TBWL). Results A total of 128 patients were included (tTORe=85, TORe=43). At 3 and 6 months, the tTORe and TORe cohorts presented similar %TBWL (3 months: 8.5±4.9 vs. 7.3±6.0, P = 0.27 and 6 months: 8.1±7.4 vs. 6.8±5.6, P = 0.44). At 9 months, there was a trend toward greater weight loss in the tTORe cohort (9.7±8.6% vs. 5.1±6.8%, P = 0.053). At 12 months, the %TBWL was significantly higher in the tubularization group compared to the standard group (8.2±10.8 vs. 2.3±7.3%, P = 0.01). Procedure time was significantly different between both groups (60.5 vs. 53.4 minutes, P = 0.03). The adverse events rate was similar between groups (8.2% vs. 7.0% for tTORe and TORe, respectively, P = 0.61). Conclusions The tTORe enhances efficacy and durability of the standard procedure without adding significant procedure-related risks.

Background The primary obesity surgery endoluminal 2.0 (POSE 2.0) procedure involves full-thickness gastric body plications to narrow the stomach using durable suture anchor pairs. We evaluated POSE 2.0 as a treatment strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity. Methods Adults with obesity and NAFLD were prospectively allocated based on their preference to undergo POSE 2.0 with lifestyle modification or lifestyle modification alone (control). Primary end points were improvement in controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and resolution of hepatic steatosis at 12 months. Secondary end points included %total body weight loss (%TBWL), change in serum measures of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, and procedure safety. Results 42 adult patients were included (20 in the POSE 2.0 arm and 22 in the control arm). At 12 months, POSE 2.0 significantly improved CAP, whereas lifestyle modification alone did not (P < 0.001 for POSE 2.0; P = 0.24 for control). Similarly, both resolution of steatosis and %TBWL were significantly higher with POSE 2.0 than with control at 12 months. Compared with controls, POSE 2.0 significantly improved liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis index, and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio at 12 months. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusion POSE 2.0 was effective for NAFLD in patients with obesity, with good durability and safety profile.

Abstract Bariatric surgeries are often complicated by de-novo gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or worsening of pre-existing GERD. The growing rates of obesity and bariatric surgeries worldwide are paralleled by an increase in the number of patients requiring post-surgical GERD evaluation. However, there is currently no standardized approach for the assessment of GERD in these patients. In this review, we delineate the relationship between GERD and the most common bariatric surgeries: sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), with a focus on pathophysiology, objective assessment, and underlying anatomical and motility disturbances. We suggest a stepwise algorithm to help diagnose GERD after SG and RYGB, determine the underlying cause, and guide the management and treatment.

Background: Gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomotic stenosis is a well-described complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB); however, its impact on weight loss outcomes is not well elucidated. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent RYGB at our institution between 2008 and 2020. Propensity score matching was used to match 30 patients who developed GJ stenosis within the first 30 days post-RYGB with 120 control patients who did not develop this outcome. Short and long-term complications and mean percentage of total body weight loss (TWL) were recorded at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 to 5 years, and 5 to 10 years postoperatively. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was used to analyze the association between early GJ stenosis and the mean percentage of TWL. Results: Patients who developed early GJ stenosis had a 13.6% increase in the mean percentage of TWL when compared with controls in the hierarchical linear model [P < 0.001 (95% CI: 5.7; 21.5)]. These patients were also more likely to present to an intravenous infusion center (70% vs 4%; P < 0.01), require readmission within 30 days (16.7% vs 2.5%; P < 0.01), and/or develop an internal hernia (23.3% vs 5.0%) postoperatively. Conclusions: Patients who develop early GJ stenosis after RYGB have a greater degree of long-term weight loss compared with patients who do not develop this complication. Although our findings support the key contribution that restrictive mechanisms play in maintaining weight loss after RYGB, GJ stenosis remains a complication associated with significant morbidity.

Background: Obesity is on the rise within the inflammatory bowel disease population. The impact obesity has on the natural history of Crohn’s disease (CD) is not well-understood. We aimed to describe the prevalence of obesity in a population-based cohort of newly diagnosed patients with CD, and the impact obesity had on disease phenotype and outcomes of corticosteroid use, hospitalization, intestinal resection, and development of fistulizing or penetrating disease. Materials and Methods: A chart review was performed on Olmsted County, Minnesota residents diagnosed with CD between 1970 and 2010. Data were collected on demographics, body mass index, CD location and behavior, CD-related hospitalizations, corticosteroid use, and intestinal resection. The proportion of individuals considered obese at the time of CD diagnosis was evaluated over time, and CD-associated complications were assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: We identified 334 individuals diagnosed with CD between 1970 and 2010, of whom 156 (46.7%) were either overweight (27.8%) or obese (18.9%) at the time of diagnosis. The proportion of patients considered obese at the time of their diagnosis of CD increased 2-3 fold over the course of the study period. However, obesity did not have a significant impact on the future risk of corticosteroid use, hospitalization, intestinal resection, or development of penetrating and stricturing complications. Conclusions: Obesity is on the rise in patients with CD, although in this cohort, there did not appear to be any negative association with future CD-related outcomes. Further prospective studies, ideally including obesity measures such as visceral adipose tissue assessment, are warranted to understand the implications of the rising prevalence of obesity on CD outcomes.