Large Buffering Effect of the Duodenal Bulb in Duodenal Switch: a Wireless pH-Metric Study

Perforated marginal ulceration in the setting of single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch (SADI-S) with conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and literature review

The single anastomosis duodenal-ileal switch (SADI-S) has become a safe alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in the treatment for morbid obesity. A known complication after bariatric surgery is the development of marginal ulceration. The current literature demonstrates an overwhelmingly low incidence of ulceration in patients who underwent SADI-S. The management and prevention is an ongoing subject of debate with no clear algorithm. The conversation of SADI-S to RYGB has been accomplished; however, this procedure has not been previously reported for marginal ulceration.

Marginal Ulcer and Dumping Syndrome in Patients after Duodenal Switch: A Multi-Centered Study

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.

Adaptations in gastrointestinal physiology after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Linked to the growing obesity epidemic, demand for bariatric and metabolic surgery has increased, the most common procedures being sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Originally, bariatric procedures were described as purely restrictive, malabsorptive, or combined restrictive-malabsorptive procedures limiting food intake, nutrient absorption, or both. Nowadays, anatomical alterations are known to affect gastrointestinal physiology, which in turn affects the digestion and absorption of nutrients and drugs. Therefore, understanding gastrointestinal physiology is crucial to prevent postoperative nutritional deficiencies and to optimise postoperative drug therapy. Preclinical and clinical research indicates that sleeve gastrectomy accelerates liquid and solid gastric emptying and small intestinal transit, and increases bile acid serum levels, whereas its effects on gastrointestinal acidity, gastric and pancreatic secretions, surface area, and colonic transit remain largely unknown. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass diminishes gastric acid secretion, accelerates liquid gastric emptying, and increases bile acid serum levels, but its effects on intestinal pH, solid gastric emptying, intestinal transit time, gastric enzyme secretions, and surface area remain largely unknown. In this Review, we summarise current knowledge of the effects of these two procedures on gastrointestinal physiology and assess the knowledge gaps.

Low Risk for Marginal Ulcers in Duodenal Switch and Gastric Bypass in a Well-Defined Cohort of 472 Patients

PURPOSE

Marginal ulcer (MU) is well-known complication in bariatric surgery. Several studies are available in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), while data on the incidence in duodenal switch (DS) is limited. We aimed to compare the incidence of MU between DS and RYGBP in a well-defined cohort and to identify associative factors.

METHODS

A cohort of 732 patients with BMI ≥ 48 who had undergone primary DS or RYGBP during 2008-2018 received a questionnaire concerning ulcers, PPI therapy, and smoking habits; hereafter, patient charts were reviewed. Incidence rates (IRs) for MU were calculated in our survey and on previous registered data in the national quality register for bariatric surgery (SOReg). A multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictive risk factors for MU.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 6.1 years, 472 (64%) patients responded (47 ± 11 years old, 65% women and 42% DS). Of 41 MUs identified, 23 were endoscopically verified. Gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, and dysphagia were the most common symptoms. IR for MU was 1.4% (DS 1.3% and RYGBP 1.5%) per patient-year, compared with 0.9% according to SOReg-data. Persisting PPI treatment was seen in about three quarter of former MU patients (OR 11.2 [3.6-34.7], p < 0.001), but no other associative factors were found.

CONCLUSION

The overall risk for MU was low, about 1% per patient-year, without difference between DS and RYGBP. Ongoing PPI treatment was frequent in many former MU patients. This study on MU after DS provides reassuring results for future bariatric surgery candidates.