Left Hypochondrium or Transumbilical Single-Incision Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Treatment of Severe Obesity: Surgical Technique and Results of a Tertiary Referral Bariatric Center

Bariatric and metabolic surgery in patients with low body mass index: an online survey of 543 bariatric and metabolic surgeons

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in patients with low body mass index patients is a topic of debate. This study aimed to address all aspects of controversies in these patients by using a worldwide survey.

METHODS

An online 35-item questionnaire survey based on existing controversies surrounding MBS in class 1 obesity was created by 17 bariatric surgeons from 10 different countries. Responses were collected and analysed by authors.

RESULTS

A total of 543 bariatric surgeons from 65 countries participated in this survey. 52.29% of participants agreed with the statement that MBS should be offered to class-1 obese patients without any obesity related comorbidities. Most of the respondents (68.43%) believed that MBS surgery should not be offered to patients under the age of 18 with class I obesity. 81.01% of respondents agreed with the statement that surgical interventions should be considered after failure of non-surgical treatments.

CONCLUSION

This survey demonstrated worldwide variations in metabolic/bariatric surgery in patients with class 1 obesity. Precise analysis of these results is useful for identifying different aspects for future research and consensus building.

Trocar number and placement for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and comparison of single-incision and conventional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Conventional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (CLSG) has been conducted in multiple centers for treating morbid obesity, however, there are no standard criteria for (1) placing the trocar; and (2) how many trocars should be used. Single-incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SLSG), a newly emerged technique in 2008, has been proposed as an alternative to CLSG in recent years, however, there is no definite evidence for this.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cases from January 2006 to October 2022. We then summarized the trocar numbers and placement patterns among these studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the difference between SLSG and CLSG in the perioperative and postoperative indices.

RESULTS

A total of 61 studies involving 20 180 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for treating morbid obesity were included in the systematic review, including 11 on SLSG, 35 on CLSG, and 15 studies comparing SLSG and CLSG. A systematic review showed that the trocar number varied in different CLSG studies, mainly using four or five trocars. The trocars were mainly placed in position, presenting an inverted trapezoid pattern and a left-predominant pattern. Meta-analysis showed that the operative time in the SLSG was significantly higher than that in the CLSG, and the pain Visual Analog Scale rating on postoperative day 1 in the CLSG was significantly higher than in the SLSG. There were no statistical significances in the other complications or surgical efficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

In the CLSG, the majority of the trocars were arranged in an inverted trapezoid pattern and were of the left-predominant type. Although SLSG is a feasible technique in selected patients, there is insufficient evidence to recommend its widespread use compared with CLSG. High-quality randomized controlled trials with large study populations and long follow-up periods will be required in the future.

Routine Early Computed Tomography Scanner After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in High-Risk Severely Obese Patients Is Effective for Bleeding or Hematoma Diagnosis but not for Staple-Line Leak Detection: a Prospective Study

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most frequently performed bariatric procedure worldwide. Postoperative staple-line leak and intraabdominal hemorrhage can increase associated morbidity and mortality. The value of routine early computed tomography (CT) scanner examination in the early diagnosis of complications in high-risk severely obese patients undergoing LSG is studied.

METHODS

This was a prospective, non-randomized study including all patients undergoing LSG in our department from 2014 to 2020. Patients presenting at least one potential risk factor for postoperative gastric leak and bleeding (as defined by the current literature) were included. Primary endpoint was the efficacy of postoperative day (POD) 2 CT-scanner examination in diagnosing these complications.

RESULTS

One thousand fifty-one high-risk patients were included. Median age was 44 years. Early postoperative surgical complications occurred in 48 patients (4.5%): 25 (2.3%) intraabdominal hemorrhage and 23 (2.2%) staple-line leak. Early CT-scanner detected intraabdominal bleeding or hematoma in 22/25 patients, with 95.6% sensitivity (Youden's index = 0.95), while specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 99.9%. Sensitivity of early postoperative CT-scanner was 43.4% (10/23 patients; Youden's index = 0.43) for staple-line leak detection, with specificity of 100%, PPV 100%, and NPV 98.7%.

CONCLUSION

POD 2 CT-scanner in high-risk severely obese patients undergoing LSG is an excellent tool for early diagnosis of intraabdominal hemorrhage, but sensitivity remains low for staple-line leak detection. Close postoperative clinical follow-up of these patients is essential and any suspicion of postoperative surgical complication should motivate the performance of a CT-scanner.