Defining global benchmarks in elective secondary bariatric surgery comprising conversional, revisional and reversal procedures

Objective

Management of poor response and of long-term complications after bariatric surgery (BS) is complex and under-investigated. Indications and types of reoperations vary widely and postoperative complication rates are higher compared to primary BS. Benchmarking uses best performance in a given field as reference point for improvement. Our aim was to define ‘‘best possible’’ outcomes for elective secondary BS.

Methods

The establishment of benchmarks in secondary BS followed a standardized methodology, based on recommendations of a Delphi consensus panel of experts. This multicenter study analyzed patients undergoing elective secondary BS in 18 high-volume centers on 4 continents from 06/2013 to 05/2019. Twenty-one outcome benchmarks were established in low-risk patients, defined as the 75th percentile of the median outcome values of the centers. Benchmark cases had no: previous laparotomy, diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiopathy, renal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, history of thromboembolic events, BMI>50kg/m2 or age>65 years. Descriptive statistics, multivariate logistic regression and data visualization were performed using the R software.

Results

Out of 44’884 elective bariatric procedures performed in the participating centers, 5’328 secondary BS cases were identified. The benchmark cohort included 3143 cases, mainly females (85%), aged 43.8±10 years, 8.4±5.3 years after primary BS, with a body mass index 35.2±7kg/m2. Main indications were insufficient weight loss (43%) and gastro-esophageal reflux disease/dysphagia (25%). 90-days postoperatively, 14.57% of benchmark patients presented ≥1 complication, mortality was 0.06% (n = 2). Significantly higher morbidity was observed in non-benchmark cases (OR 1.36) and after conversional or revisional procedures with gastrointestinal suture/stapling (OR 1.7). Benchmark cutoffs at 90-days postoperatively were ≤5.8% re-intervention and ≤8.8% re-operation rate. At 2-years (IQR 1-3) 15.6% of benchmark patients required a reoperation.

Conclusion

Secondary BS is safe, although postoperative morbidity exceeds the established benchmarks for primary BS. The excess morbidity is due to an increased risk of gastrointestinal leakage and higher need for intensive care. The considerable rate of tertiary BS warrants expertise and future research to optimize the management of non-success after BS.

Penetrating trauma to the external genitalia in Operation Iraqi Freedom

This report details the incidence and description of trauma to the external genitalia experienced during Operation Iraqi Freedom at a United States Army Combat Support Hospital, and demonstrates that acceptable rates of testicular salvage are possible in the combat setting. The operating room logs and the Joint Theater Trauma Registry were used to conduct a retrospective review of the patients who sustained genitourinary (GU) injuries at an US Army Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in Iraq from 27 February 2007 to 14 August 2007. Of the 3595 battle trauma injuries seen at the CSH during the time period, 168 (4.7%) had one or more GU injuries for a total of 172 GU injuries. Of these patients, 115 (68%) with GU injuries had one or more injuries to the external genitalia for a total of 119 external GU injuries. Penetrating trauma to the penis and scrotum accounted for 59 of the injuries. In total, 43 testicles were injured in 34 patients (9 had bilateral injuries). In total, 32 testes were repaired primarily and 11 were removed. Injuries to the external genitalia continue to account for the vast majority of GU trauma in a combat setting. Of patients who presented with penetrating testicular trauma, there was a 74.4% salvage rate, which is higher than previous reports of combat external genitalia injuries. Treatment of penetrating trauma to the external genitalia in a combat setting requires attention to tissue preservation while coordinating associated surgical procedures.