Laparoscopic Small Bowel Length Measurement in Bariatric Surgery Using a Hand-Over-Hand Technique with Marked Graspers: an Ex Vivo Experiment

Laparoscopic small bowel length measurement: nonassociative nature of total small bowel length with anthropometric and clinical characteristics in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Small bowel length (SBL) may have an impact on the outcomes of bariatric surgeries, but it can be difficult to make a direct association between SBL and the safety and outcome of bariatric surgeries.

OBJECTIVES

To address this issue, we set out to devise a predictive model for SBL determination based on clinical and anthropometric variables.

SETTING

An academic tertiary medical center.

METHODS

Anthropometric and clinical data, including age, sex, height, weight, and past medical history, were collected upon enrollment. SBL was measured twice during the surgery using a marked grasper. In all cases, measurements were carried out by a single surgeon. To create a predictive model, a 2-step approach was employed. In the first step, linear regression was used to determine influential variables. In the second step, all variables with a P value < .2 were entered into a multivariate regression model.

RESULTS

Overall, 961 bariatric candidates were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 40.08 years, and 77.5% (n = 745) were female. The mean SBL was 748.90 centimeters. There was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between SBL with both weight and height. Our univariate linear model determined only anthropometric parameters as a predictor of SBL. The multivariate model also yielded that none of the entered parameters were shown to be accurate predictors of SBL. Moreover, only 4.3% of variances were explainable by this model.

CONCLUSION

Although we found a weak positive association between height and SBL, this association lacked clinical practicality.

Revisional surgery for malnutrition after SADI-S: prevalence, indications, techniques and outcomes

KEY POINTS

SADIS with short common limb (< 250 cm) is a malabsorptive operation. Reoperation is advised in patients requiring admission for severe malnutrition. Elongation of the common channel is the preferred revisional technique Introduction: Single-Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal bypass with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a modification of the duodenal switch. Initial common channel's length was 200, and after malnutrition was detected in some patients, it was elongated to 250 or 300 cm. The present study analyzes presentation and treatment of malnutrition after SADI-S.

MATERIALS

Three hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients undergoing SADI-S between May 2007 and February 2019 were included. The common limb length was 200 cm in 50 cases, 250 cm in 211, 300 in 71 and 350 in 1. Thirty-one patients were admitted for severe hypoalbuminemia and 17 patients were submitted to revisional surgery, and constitute the series of our study. Mean weight before reoperation was 57 kg and mean body mass index (BMI) was 21 kg/m2. Mean number of daily bowel movements was 5,6.

RESULTS

Mean time to reoperation was 56 months. The limb was found shorter than expected in 6 cases. Revisional surgery was conversion into a Roux en Y duodenal switch in 3 cases, elongation of the common limb in 11 patients, duodeno-duodenostomy in 1 and duodeno-jejunostomy to the first jejunal loop in 2. Mean weight regain was 14 kg, and mean final BMI 26 kg/m2. Daily bowel movements were reduced to 1,3. Factors related to hypoalbuminemia were hypertension, poor-controlled diabetes, shorter common limb and liver-test alterations.

CONCLUSION

SADI-S is expected to be less malabsorptive than previous biliopancreatic diversions. However, caution must be taken with certain patients to avoid postoperative malnutrition. Adequate follow up with long-term supplementation is required.

Effect of tailoring biliopancreatic limb length based on total small bowel length versus standard limb length in one anastomosis gastric bypass: 1-year outcomes of the TAILOR randomized clinical superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Tailoring the biliopancreatic limb length in one anastomosis gastric bypass is proposed as beneficial in retrospective studies, yet randomized trials are lacking. The aim of this double-blind, single-centre RCT was to ascertain whether tailoring biliopancreatic limb length based on total small bowel length (TSBL) results in superior outcomes after one anastomosis gastric bypass compared with a fixed 150 cm biliopancreatic limb length.

METHODS

Eligible patients, meeting International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) criteria for metabolic bariatric surgery, scheduled for primary one anastomosis gastric bypass surgery, and willing to be randomized, underwent TSBL measurement during surgery. When TSBL measurement was feasible, patients were randomly assigned to a standard 150 cm biliopancreatic limb length or a tailored biliopancreatic limb based on TSBL: TSBL less than 500 cm, biliopancreatic limb 150 cm; TSBL 500-700 cm, biliopancreatic limb 180 cm; and TSBL greater than 700 cm, biliopancreatic limb 210 cm. The primary outcome was percentage total weight loss at 5 years.

RESULTS

Between September 2020 and August 2022, 212 patients were randomized into the standard biliopancreatic limb group (105 patients) or the tailored biliopancreatic limb group (107 patients). The mean(s.d.) TSBL was 657(128) cm (range 295-1020 cm). In the tailored group, 150, 180, and 210 cm biliopancreatic limb lengths were applied to 8.4%, 53.3%, and 38.3% of patients respectively. The mean(s.d.) 1-year percentage total weight loss was 32.8(6.9)% in the standard group and 33.1(6.2)% in the tailored group (P = 0.787). Nutritional deficiencies and short-term complications showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Tailoring biliopancreatic limb length based on TSBL is safe and feasible. One year after surgery, it is not superior to a standard biliopancreatic limb length of 150 cm in terms of percentage total weight loss.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

Dutch Trial Register, NL7945.

Measuring Small Bowel Length in Bariatric Surgery: An Ex Vivo Laparoscopic Training Experiment

INTRODUCTION

Determining limb length in gastric bypass procedures is a crucial step to ensure significant weight loss without risking malnutrition. This study investigated the effect of ex vivo training on the skills needed to determine limb lengths.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a single-center ex vivo training experiment in a teaching hospital in the Netherlands. We designed a training exercise with marked ropes in a laparoscopic trainer box. All ten surgical residents participated and practiced the skill of estimating limb length. Before and after the two-week period their results on a 150-centimeter limb length task were evaluated.

RESULTS

Before training, 10 surgical residents estimated 150 centimeters of small bowel with an absolute deviation of 21% [range 9-30]. After the training experiment, the residents measured with 8% [2-20] deviation (P = .17). The 8 residents who trained sufficiently improved statistically significantly to an absolute deviation of 5% [2-17] (P = .012). Over 70% of the participants felt their skills had improved.

CONCLUSIONS

With sufficient training, surgical residents' skills in measuring small bowel length improved when tested in an ex vivo model. Residents became more confident in their laparoscopic measurement skills. This ex vivo training model is a alternative and addition to on-site training.

Technical Considerations in One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass-the Israeli Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Experience

BACKGROUND

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is gaining popularity worldwide due to its safety and effectiveness. OAGB is the most commonly performed metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) in Israel. Israel is the only country where OAGB is the most prevalent MBS. Our aim is to address OAGB technical aspects using a national survey completed by members of the Israeli Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ISMBS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An online-survey composed of a 17-item-based questionnaire was sent to ISMBS members. All responses were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 47/64 (73.4%) ISMBS members participated in the survey. Most surgeons (74.5%) had > 10 years of MBS experience, and most (61.7%) performed > 100 MBS/year. The majority (78.7%) perform OAGB as their most common procedure. Most surgeons fashion a 10-15-cm pouch and use a 36-Fr bougie, (57.4% and 38.3%). Regarding bowel length measurement, 70% use visual estimation and 10.6% routinely measure total small bowel length (TSBL). The most common reasons for creating a longer biliopancreatic limb (BPL) were high body mass index (BMI) and revisional surgery (83.3% and 66%, respectively). In a primary procedure of a patient with a BMI = 40, most (76.6%) would create a 150-200-cm BPL. In patients with a BMI > 50 or revisional cases, most (70.2% and 68.0%) would create a 175-225-cm BPL.

CONCLUSION

OAGB is the most prevalent MBS performed in Israel. This survey showed common preferences and variations among ISMBS members. Further studies are needed in order to standardize and build a consensus on OAGB technique.

Optimal Small Bowel Limb Lengths of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) have come full circle, from a loop configuration to a Roux-en-Y and finally back to a loop configuration as one anastomosis gastric bypass and single-anastomosis duodenal switch. Most surgeons performing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) do not measure the common channel (CC) length and most surgeons performing BPD do not measure the biliopancreatic limb length (BPL).

RECENT FINDINGS

The small bowel length in humans is variable from as short as < 400 cm to as long as > 1000 cm. The combination of these two facts means that even if surgeons keep the limb lengths constant, surgeons will get variable limb length due to the variability of small bowel length in patients. Hence, outcomes of weight loss, resolution of medical problems, or developing nutritional deficiencies which are related to limb length are variable. In this article, we evaluate the published literature related to the effect of varying the Roux limb, BPL, CC, and total alimentary limb lengths on the outcomes of RYGB. We have focused on historical and current randomized controlled trials as well as systematic reviews and meta-analysis to outline the current literature and our interpretation of this literature.