Early outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a multiethnic Asian cohort

Role of the Autonomic Nervous System in Mechanism of Energy and Glucose Regulation Post Bariatric Surgery

Even though lifestyle changes are the mainstay approach to address obesity, Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most effective and durable treatments facing this pandemic and its associated metabolic conditions. The traditional classifications of bariatric surgeries labeled them as “restrictive,” “malabsorptive,” or “mixed” types of procedures depending on the anatomical rearrangement of each one of them. This conventional categorization of bariatric surgeries assumed that the “restrictive” procedures induce their weight loss and metabolic effects by reducing gastric content and therefore having a smaller reservoir. Similarly, the “malabsorptive” procedures were thought to induce their main energy homeostatic effects from fecal calorie loss due to intestinal malabsorption. Observational data from human subjects and several studies from rodent models of bariatric surgery showed that neither of those concepts is completely true, at least in explaining the multiple metabolic changes and the alteration in energy balance that those two surgeries induce. Rather, neuro-hormonal mechanisms have been postulated to underly the physiologic effects of those two most performed bariatric procedures. In this review, we go over the role the autonomic nervous system plays- through its parasympathetic and sympathetic branches- in regulating weight balance and glucose homeostasis after SG and RYGB.

Safety and effectiveness of reduced-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Asian morbidly obese patients

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the most frequently performed surgical intervention in patients with morbid obesity. Single-port sleeve gastrectomy (SPSG) and reduced-port sleeve gastrectomy (RPSG) are increasingly reported in the literature. This study compared the short-term outcomes of SPSG, RPSG, and conventional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (CLSG). This is a single-center retrospective study of 238 morbidly obese patients, of whom 148 (62.2%) patients completed follow-up one year after surgery. Propensity score matching was performed on factors influencing the choice of approach, and fifty patients from the SPSG + RPSG and CLSG groups were successfully matched. The groups were comparable in postoperative weight loss, morbidity, pain, and resolution of obesity-related comorbidities. The percentage of excess weight loss after one year was 90.0% in the SPSG + RPSG group and 75.2% in the CLSG group (P < 0.001). Complication rates showed no significant difference. The CLSG group was superior in dyslipidemia remission (17 [37.0%] vs. 28 [63.6%], P = 0.018) in the total cohort; however, this difference disappeared after matching. Our results suggest that single-port and reduced-port approaches could be alternative choices for selected patients. As our study was limited by its retrospective nature and potential selection bias, further studies are necessary to set standardized guidelines for SPSG.

Racial disparities in bariatric surgery postoperative weight loss and co-morbidity resolution: a systematic review

While bariatric surgery is an accepted treatment for morbid obesity, the impact of race on surgical outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review aims to compare differences in weight loss and co-morbidity outcomes among various races after bariatric surgery. PubMed, Medline, and SCOPUS databases were queried to identify publications that included more than 1 racial group and reported weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery. A total of 52 studies were included. Non-Hispanic black (NHB) patients comprised between 5.5% and 69.7% and Hispanic patients comprised between 4.7% and 65.3% of the studies' populations. Definitions of weight loss success differed widely across studies, with percent excess weight loss being the most commonly reported outcome, followed by percent total weight loss and change in body mass index (BMI). Statistical analyses also varied, with most studies adjusting for age, sex, preoperative weight, or BMI. Some studies also adjusted for preoperative co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, or socioeconomic status, including income, education, and neighborhood poverty. The majority of studies found less favorable weight loss in NHB compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW), patients while generally no difference was found between Hispanic and NHW patients. The trend also indicates no association between race and resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities. Racial minorities lose less weight than NHW patients after bariatric surgery, although the factors associated with this discrepancy are unclear. The heterogeneity in reporting weight loss success and statistical analyses amongst the literature makes an estimation of effect size difficult. Generally, racial disparity was not seen when examining co-morbidity resolution after surgery. More prospective, robust, long-term studies are needed to understand the impacts of race on bariatric surgery outcomes and ensure successful outcomes for all patients, regardless of race.

Ethnicity Does Not Influence Glycemic Outcomes or Diabetes Remission After Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass in a Multiethnic Asian Cohort

BACKGROUND

In Asia, metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) rates have grown rapidly in parallel with rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence glycemic outcomes and diabetes remission 12 months after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or gastric bypass (GB) in a multiethnic Asian cohort.

SETTING

The study's setting was in a tertiary hospital in Singapore.

METHODS

Data from 145 T2D patients who had SG (37%) or GB (63%) and at least 1-year follow-up were analyzed. Diabetes remission was defined as hemoglobin A1c ≤ 6.0% without diabetes medications. Analysis involved binary logistic regression to identify predictors and general linear regression for variables associated with glycemic improvement after surgery.

RESULTS

Baseline parameters are as follows: BMI 40.0 ± 7.6 kg/m², A1c 8.4 ± 1.6%, diabetes duration 9.3 years, ethnic composition: Chinese (51.7%), Malay (23.4%), Indian (20.7%), Others (4.1%). 55.9% achieved diabetes remission at 1 year. Baseline A1c, baseline BMI, and diabetes duration were significant pre-operative factors for remission (cumulative R ² = 0.334). At 12 months, percentage weight loss was similar after SG (24.1 ± 7.4%) and GB (25.4 ± 7.4%, p = 0.31). Greater A1c decrease was seen with GB compared to SG (2.7 ± 1.6 vs 2.0 ± 1.5%, p = 0.006), significant even after adjustment for weight loss, age, BMI, baseline A1c, and diabetes duration (p = 0.033). Weight loss at 12 months also correlated independently with A1c reduction. Ethnicity did not influence weight loss, diabetes remission, or glycemic control after MBS.

CONCLUSION

Baseline A1c, baseline BMI, and diabetes duration independently predict diabetes remission after MBS. GB is more effective in controlling T2D compared to SG despite similar weight loss, whereas ethnicity does not play a significant role in the multiethnic Asian cohort.

Five-year long-term clinical outcome after bariatric metabolic surgery: A multi-ethnic Asian population in Singapore

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for morbid obesity and its metabolic related comorbidities; type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.¹ However, the literature is scarce regarding the long-term outcome after bariatric surgery, especially among multi-ethnic Asian populations. Considering the growing number of bariatric metabolic surgeries in Asia, we have attempted to provide a regional perspective on 5-year long-term clinical outcomes post bariatric surgery in Singapore. Between 2010 and 2016, all bariatric operative cases were included, and these comprised: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), 393; laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 125; laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass (MGB), 43. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, with % remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at 1 year following LSG (49.7%, 61.2%, 56.1%, 47.8%, 40.8% and 47.3%; 82.2%), RYGB (60.2%, 62.1%, 57.6%, 50.1%, 48.7% and 47.7%; 86.9%) and MGB (58%, 68.1%, 62.7%, 66.2%, 64.0%, 65.2%; 71.9%). In conclusion, MGB and RYGB showed the greatest % EWL at 5 years and are recommended for moderate T2DM. LSG is an effective bariatric operation with a high % EWL up to 2 years, and a high remission rate of mild T2DM. The remission rate of T2DM was equally high in all 3 surgical groups, independent of ethnic differences.

THE ROLE OF THE SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

BACKGROUND

Currently, bariatric surgery has promoted weight loss and improved glycemic control in obese patients through different techniques, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

AIM

Present and update the different vertical sleeve gastrectomy ways of action, both in the treatment of obesity and diabetes, approaching its potential effect on gastrointestinal physiology, as well as the benefits achieved by this manipulation.

METHODS

Pubmed database search was used crossing the headings: obesity, type 2 diabetes and sleeve gastrectomy.

RESULTS

Published data have shown that short-term weight loss tends to be higher in patients undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectomy compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In relation to glycemic control, the procedure demonstrated remission of diabetes in up to 60% after one year of surgery. After three years, however, differences in remission rate between surgical and clinical group was not observed, questioning the durability of the technical in a long-term.

CONCLUSION

Despite showing good results, both in the weight loss and co-morbidities, conflicting results reinforce the need for more studies to prove the efficiency of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy as well as to understand its action about the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease.