A Spanish Society joint SECO and SEEDO approach to the Post-operative management of the patients undergoing surgery for obesity

SEA 2024 Standards for Global Control of Vascular Risk

One of the objectives of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis is to contribute to the knowledge, prevention and treatment of vascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in Spain and entail a high degree of disability and health expenditure. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease and its prevention requires a global approach that takes into account the associated risk factors. This document summarises the current evidence and includes recommendations for patients with established vascular disease or at high vascular risk: it reviews the symptoms and signs to evaluate, the laboratory and imaging procedures to request routinely or in special situations, and includes the estimation of vascular risk, diagnostic criteria for entities that are vascular risk factors, and general and specific recommendations for their treatment. Finally, it presents aspects that are not usually referenced in the literature, such as the organisation of a vascular risk consultation.

Recommendations on the management of severe obesity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease of the Spanish Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU), Spanish Society of Obesity (SEEDO), Spanish Association of Surgery (AEC) and Spanish Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SEED)

Obesity is a multifactorial, chronic, progressive and recurrent disease considered a public health issue worldwide and an important determinant of disability and death. In Spain, its current prevalence in the adult population is about 24% and an estimated prevalence in 2035 of 37%. Obesity increases the probability of several diseases linked to higher mortality such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, several types of cancer, or obstructive sleep apnea. On the other hand, although the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is stabilizing in Western countries, its prevalence already exceeds 0.3%. Paralleling to general population, the current prevalence of obesity in adult patients with IBD is estimated at 15-40%. Obesity in patients with IBD could entail, in addition to its already known impact on disability and mortality, a worse evolution of the IBD itself and a worse response to treatments. The aim of this document, performed in collaboration by four scientific societies involved in the clinical care of severe obesity and IBD, is to establish clear and concise recommendations on the therapeutic possibilities of severe or typeIII obesity in patients with IBD. The document establishes general recommendations on dietary, pharmacological, endoscopic, and surgical treatment of severe obesity in patients with IBD, as well as pre- and post-treatment evaluation.

Effect on Body Composition of a Meal-Replacement Progression Diet in Patients 1 Month after Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Progression diets after bariatric surgery (BS) are restricted in calories and protein, and they may induce a worsening of body composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a modified diet with an oral nutritional supplement that is hyperproteic and normocaloric over the body composition.

METHODS

A two-arm ambispective observational cohort study was designed. Forty-four patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were included in the study. Thirty patients received a progression diet with a normocaloric, hyperproteic oral nutritional supplement during the first two weeks after surgery (820 kcal, 65.5 g protein). They were compared with a historical cohort of 14 patients treated with a standard progression diet (220 kcal, 11.5 g protein). Anthropometric and body composition (using electrical bioimpedanciometry) data were analyzed before BS and 1 month after the surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47.35(10.22) years; 75% were women, and the average presurgical body mass index (BMI) was 45.98(6.13) kg/m2, with no differences between both arms of intervention. One month after surgery, no differences in the percentage of excess weight loss (%PEWL) were observed between patients in the high-protein-diet group (HP) and low-protein-diet group (LP) (HP: 21.86 (12.60)%; LP: 18.10 (13.49)%; p = 0.38). A lower loss of appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was observed in the HP (HP: -5.70 (8.79)%; LP: -10.54 (6.29)%; p < 0.05) and fat-free mass index (HP: 3.86 (8.50)%; LP:-9.44 (5.75)%; p = 0.03), while a higher loss of fat mass was observed in the HP (HP: -14.22 (10.09)%; LP: -5.26 (11.08)%; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, the addition of a normocaloric, hyperproteic formula managed to slow down the loss of muscle mass and increase the loss of fat mass with no differences on total weight loss.

Medicolegal Cases in Bariatric Surgery in the United Kingdom

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate the current state of bariatric medicolegal activity and explore the reasons of litigation in bariatric surgery. The underlying legal principles in bariatric medicolegal cases and most frequent pitfalls will also be discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a growing number of litigations in bariatric surgery, particularly relating to complications and long waiting lists for bariatric surgery within the public-funded health systems. The main issues are related to consent, lack of follow-up, delayed identification of complications and lack of appropriate emergency management of complications, involving bariatric surgeons, clinicians, general practitioners and multidisciplinary team members. Appropriate multidisciplinary involvement pre- and postoperatively and robust follow-up protocols can help to mitigate the risks. Bariatric surgery requires a unique paradigm with a multidisciplinary approach both pre- and postoperatively to improve the long-term functional outcomes of patients. There is a rising incidence of medicolegal claims following bariatric surgery. The underlying reasons for this are multifactorial including an increase in the volume of surgery, high patient expectations, the incidence of long-term postoperative complications and the requirement of long-term follow-up.

SEA 2022 Standards for Global Control of Cardiovascular Risk

One of the objectives of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis is to contribute to better knowledge of vascular disease, its prevention and treatment. It is well known that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in our country and entail a high degree of disability and health care costs. Arteriosclerosis is a multifactorial disease and therefore its prevention requires a global approach that takes into account the different risk factors with which it is associated. Therefore, this document summarizes the current level of knowledge and includes recommendations and procedures to be followed in patients with established cardiovascular disease or at high vascular risk. Specifically, this document reviews the main symptoms and signs to be evaluated during the clinical visit, the laboratory and imaging procedures to be routinely requested or requested for those in special situations. It also includes vascular risk estimation, the diagnostic criteria of the different entities that are cardiovascular risk factors, and makes general and specific recommendations for the treatment of the different cardiovascular risk factors and their final objectives. Finally, the document includes aspects that are not usually referenced in the literature, such as the organization of a vascular risk consultation.

Incidence and risk factors for de novo cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION

Obesity and rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS) are risk factors for the development of cholelitiasis. The aim of this study is to know the incidence of the de novo symptomatic cholelitiasis (DNSC) after BS and to analyze the risk factors for its development.

METHODS

Single-centre retrospective observational study of patients undergoing BS between January 2010 and December 2017. The incidence of DNSC has been studied and sex, age, comorbilities, surgical tecnique, initial BMI and percentage of excess BMI lost (%EBMIL) at 6th, 12th and 24th postoperative months have been analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 415 patients who underwent BS, 280 have been studied since they were not previously cholecystectomized and had a preoperative negative abdominal ultrasound. Twenty-nine developed DNSC (10,35%), with a remarkably higher increase in cumulative incidence during the first postoperative year (CI 5%, IC 95% 2,4-7,6). A higher percentage of excess BMI lost at the 6, 12 and 24 postoperative months was statistically significantly correlated with an increased risk of DNSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of DNSC and cholecystectomy after BS are relatively high, mainly during rapid weight loss period and even more the higher the percentage of excess BMI lost is. Concomitant cholecystectomy during BS in case of preoperative cholelithiasis regardless of symptoms and the use of ursodeoxycholic acid during the period of greater risk for DNSC development are two therapeutic options to consider.

The Panoramic View of Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Introduction: Obesity remains a major public chronic disease, and the multifactorial components of its relapse in many patients remain inevitable. Methods: This article provides a panoramic view of the most commonly performed revisional bariatric surgery (RBS). RBS is a complex procedure; thus, primary procedures should be well chosen and performed to avoid the increasing number of RBS cases. Results: Bariatric surgery is the only successful long-term treatment for obesity. However, a proportion of primary bariatric surgeries has failed during the follow-up period. In recent decades, the solution for these complications is by performing RBS. It is mandatory to understand obesity as a chronic disease to appropriately treat patients. Treatment strategies are needed to determine the indications for revision. RBS requires a meticulous evaluation to facilitate good long-term results. Conclusions: Treatment strategies will be a fundamental pillar to wisely determine the indications for revision and identify the factors influencing failure by prudently and rationally evaluating the revisional procedure that the patient will benefit from and acquiring a high level of surgical skills.

Obesity and SARS-CoV-2: Considerations on bariatric surgery and recommendations for the start of surgical activity

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has a great impact worldwide, being Spain one of the most affected countries. The delay in bariatric surgery can have fatal consequences since up to 50% of the patients who are on the waiting list develop a new comorbidity during the time they remain on it and 1.5% of patients die while waiting for the intervention. That is why bariatric surgery should not be delayed, if the occupation of the hospital by COVID-19+ patients decreases significantly, and sufficient resources and safety are available to restart surgery in patients with benign pathology. This document contains the main recommendations for the bariatric surgery programs in our country from the point of view of safety, bariatric patient preparation and follow up during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.

Obesity and SARS-CoV-2: Considerations on bariatric surgery and recommendations for the start of surgical activity

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has a great impact worldwide, being Spain one of the most affected countries. The delay in bariatric surgery can have fatal consequences since up to 50% of the patients who are on the waiting list develop a new comorbidity during the time they remain on it and 1.5% of patients die while waiting for the intervention. That is why bariatric surgery should not be delayed, if the occupation of the hospital by COVID-19+ patients decreases significantly, and sufficient resources and safety are available to restart surgery in patients with benign pathology. This document contains the main recommendations for the bariatric surgery programs in our country from the point of view of safety, bariatric patient preparation and follow up during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.

Incidence and risk factors for de novo cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION

Obesity and rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS) are risk factors for the development of cholelitiasis. The aim of this study is to know the incidence of the de novo symptomatic cholelitiasis (DNSC) after BS and to analyze the risk factors for its development.

METHODS

Single-centre retrospective observational study of patients undergoing BS between January 2010 and December 2017. The incidence of DNSC has been studied and sex, age, comorbilities, surgical tecnique, initial BMI and percentage of excess BMI lost (%EIMCP) at 6th, 12th and 24th postoperative months have been analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 415 patients who underwent BS, 280 have been studied since they were not previously cholecystectomized and had a preoperative negative abdominal ultrasound. Twenty-nine developed DNSC (10.35%), with a remarkably higher increase in cumulative incidence during the first postoperative year (5%, 95% CI 2,4-7,6). A higher percentage of excess BMI lost at the 6, 12 and 24 postoperative months was statistically significantly correlated with an increased risk of DNSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of DNSC and cholecystectomy after BS are relatively high, mainly during rapid weight loss period and even more the higher the percentage of excess BMI lost is. Concomitant cholecystectomy during BS in case of preoperative cholelithiasis regardless of symptoms and the use of ursodeoxycholic acid during the period of greater risk for DNSC development are two therapeutic options to consider.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of perioperative behavioral lifestyle and nutritional interventions in bariatric surgery: a call for better research and reporting

Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for people with morbid obesity, and certain interventions could enhance its long-term results. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and trial registers up to January 1, 2020. Randomized controlled trials, where behavioral lifestyle or nutritional interventions were provided perioperatively were included. Primary outcome was weight change. Two reviewers independently performed each stage of the review. Altogether 6652 references were screened. 31 studies were included for qualitative synthesis and 22 studies for quantitative synthesis. Interventions varied greatly, thus limiting possibility of synthesizing all results. Six groups of interventions were discerned, and we used standardized mean differences for synthesis. Low to very-low certainty evidence suggests that physical activity, nonvitamin nutritional interventions, vitamins, psychotherapy, and counseling but not combined interventions might bring some benefit regarding short-term postsurgery follow-ups (up to 12 mo), but the estimates varied and results were not statistically significant, except for 12 months follow-ups regarding counseling. Psychotherapy and counseling, but not vitamins and combined interventions, may provide some benefit at longer follow-ups (over 12 mo), but the certainty of evidence was low to very-low and statistically significant results were observed in comparisons including data from single studies with small sample sizes only. Included studies expressed an outcome "weight change" using 20 different measures. Misreporting of data and huge variety of outcomes do not benefit systematic analyses and may possibly lead to confusion of both researchers and readers. We suggest that authors follow a predefined set of outcomes when reporting the results of their studies. The initiative to produce "core outcome set" for clinical trials in bariatric surgery trials is currently underway.