Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery
Intervention
MeSH D050110

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who have obesity. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery).

Long-term studies show the procedures cause significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and a reduction in mortality of 23% from 40%.[1] However, a study in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients has found no survival benefit associated with bariatric surgery among older, severely obese people when compared with usual care, at least out to seven years.[2]

The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric surgery for obese people with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40, and for people with BMI 35 and serious coexisting medical conditions such as diabetes.[1] However, research is emerging that suggests bariatric surgery could be appropriate for those with a BMI of 35 to 40 with no comorbidities or a BMI of 30 to 35 with significant comorbidities. The most recent ASMBS guidelines suggest the position statement on consensus for BMI as indication for bariatric surgery. The recent guidelines suggest that any patient with a BMI of more than 30 with comorbidities is a candidate for bariatric surgery.[3]

Indications

A medical guideline by the American College of Physicians concluded:[4][5]

Recently the International Diabetes Federation issued a position statement suggesting "Under some circumstances people with a BMI 30–35 should be eligible for surgery."[6] When determining eligibility for bariatric surgery for extremely obese patients, psychiatric screening is critical; it is also critical for determining postoperative success. Patients with a body-mass index of 40 kg/m2 or greater have a 5-fold risk of depression, and half of bariatric-surgery candidates are depressed.[7]

Classification of surgical procedures

Procedures can be grouped in three main categories:[8] Standard of care in the United States and most of the industrialized world in 2009 is for laparoscopic as opposed to open procedures. Future trends are attempting to achieve similar or better results via endoscopic procedures.

Predominantly malabsorptive procedures

In predominantly malabsorptive procedures, although they also reduce stomach size, the effectiveness of these procedures are derived mainly from creating a physiological condition of malabsorption.

Diagram of a biliopancreatic diversion.

Biliopancreatic diversion

This complex operation is termed biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) or the Scopinaro procedure. The original form of this procedure is now rarely performed because of problems with malnourishment. It has been replaced with a modification known as duodenal switch (BPD/DS). Part of the stomach is resected, creating a smaller stomach (however the patient can eat a free diet as there is no restrictive component). The distal part of the small intestine is then connected to the pouch, bypassing the duodenum and jejunum.

In around 2% of patients there is severe malabsorption and nutritional deficiency that requires restoration of the normal absorption. The malabsorptive effect of BPD is so potent that those who undergo the procedure must take vitamin and dietary minerals above and beyond that of the normal population. Without these supplements, there is risk of serious deficiency diseases such as anemia and osteoporosis.

Because gallstones are a common complication of the rapid weight loss following any type of bariatric surgery, some surgeons remove the gallbladder as a preventive measure during BPD. Others prefer to prescribe medications to reduce the risk of post-operative gallstones.

Far fewer surgeons perform BPD compared to other weight loss surgeries, in part because of the need for long-term nutritional follow-up and monitoring of BPD patients.

Jejunoileal bypass

Main article: Jejunoileal bypass

This procedure is no longer performed.

Endoluminal sleeve

A study on humans was done in Chile using the same technique [9] however the results were not conclusive and the device had issues with migration and slipping. A study recently done in the Netherlands found a decrease of 5.5 BMI points in 3 months with an endoluminal sleeve.

Predominantly restrictive procedures

Procedures that are solely restrictive, act to reduce oral intake by limiting gastric volume, produces early satiety, and leave the alimentary canal in continuity, minimizing the risks of metabolic complications. [10]

Diagram of a vertical banded gastroplasty.

Vertical banded gastroplasty

In the vertical banded gastroplasty, also called the Mason procedure or stomach stapling, a part of the stomach is permanently stapled to create a smaller pre-stomach pouch, which serves as the new stomach.

Diagram of an adjustable gastric banding.

Adjustable gastric band

The restriction of the stomach also can be created using a silicone band, which can be adjusted by addition or removal of saline through a port placed just under the skin. This operation can be performed laparoscopically, and is commonly referred to as a "lap band". Weight loss is predominantly due to the restriction of nutrient intake that is created by the small gastric pouch and the narrow outlet. [11] It is considered one of the safest procedures performed today with a mortality rate of 0.05%. [12]

Sleeve gastrectomy

Main article: Sleeve gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve, is a surgical weight-loss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 15% of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach, following the major curve. The open edges are then attached together (typically with surgical staples, sutures, or both) to leave the stomach shaped more like a tube, or a sleeve, with a banana shape. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach. The procedure is performed laparoscopically and is not reversible.

This combined approach has tremendously decreased the risk of weight loss surgery for specific groups of patients, even when the risk of the two surgeries is added. Most patients can expect to lose 30 to 50% of their excess body weight over a 6–12 month period with the sleeve gastrectomy alone. The timing of the second procedure will vary according to the degree of weight loss, typically 6 – 18 months.

Intragastric balloon (gastric balloon)

Intragastric balloon involves placing a deflated balloon into the stomach, and then filling it to decrease the amount of gastric space. The balloon can be left in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months and results in an average weight loss of 5–9 BMI over half a year.[14] While not yet approved by the FDA the intragastric balloon is approved in Australia, Canada, Mexico, India and several European and South American countries.[15] The intragastric balloon may be used prior to another bariatric surgery in order to assist the patient to reach a weight which is suitable for surgery, further it can also be used on several occasions if necessary.[16]

Gastric plication

Basically, the procedure can best be understood as a version of the more popular gastric sleeve or gastrectomy surgery where a sleeve is created by suturing rather than removing stomach tissue thus preserving its natural nutrient absorption capabilities. Gastric plication significantly reduces the volume of the patient's stomach, so smaller amounts of food provide a feeling of satiety.[17] The procedure is producing some significant results that were published in a recent study in Bariatric Times and are based on post-operative outcomes for 66 patients (44 female) who had the gastric sleeve plication procedure between January 2007 and March 2010. Mean patient age was 34, with a mean BMI of 35. Follow-up visits for the assessment of safety and weight loss were scheduled at regular intervals in the postoperative period. No major complications were reported among the 66 patients. Weight loss outcomes are comparable to gastric bypass.

The study describes gastric sleeve plication (also referred to as gastric imbrication or laparoscopic greater curvature plication) as a restrictive technique that eliminates the complications associated with adjustable gastric banding and vertical sleeve gastrectomy—it does this by creating restriction without the use of implants and without gastric resection (cutting) and staples.

Mixed procedures

Mixed procedures apply both techniques simultaneously.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Gastric bypass surgery

A common form of gastric bypass surgery is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Where a small stomach pouch is being created with a stapler device and connected to the distal small intestine. The upper part of the small intestine is then reattached in a Y-shaped configuration.[18]

The gastric bypass had been the most commonly performed operation for weight loss in the United States, and approximately 140,000 gastric bypass procedures were performed in 2005. Its market share has decreased since then and by 2011, the frequency of gastric bypass was thought to be less than 50% of the weight loss surgery market. [10]

A factor in the success of any bariatric surgery is strict post-surgical adherence to a healthy pattern of eating.

There are certain patients who cannot tolerate the malabsorption and dumping syndrome associated with gastric bypass. In such patients, although earlier considered to be an irreversible procedure, there are instances where gastric bypass procedure can be partially reversed.

Diagram of a sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch.

Sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch

A variation of the biliopancreatic diversion includes a duodenal switch. The part of the stomach along its greater curve is resected. The stomach is "tubulized" with a residual volume of about 150 ml. This volume reduction provides the food intake restriction component of this operation. This type of gastric resection is anatomically and functionally irreversible. The stomach is then disconnected from the duodenum and connected to the distal part of the small intestine. The duodenum and the upper part of the small intestine are reattached to the rest at about 75–100 cm from the colon.

Implantable gastric stimulation

This procedure where a device similar to a heart pacemaker is implanted by a surgeon, with the electrical leads stimulating the external surface of the stomach, is being studied in the USA. Electrical stimulation is thought to modify the activity of the enteric nervous system of the stomach, which is interpreted by the brain to give a sense of satiety, or fullness. Early evidence suggests that it is less effective than other forms of bariatric surgery.[19]

Eating after bariatric surgery

Immediately after bariatric surgery, the patient is restricted to a clear liquid diet, which includes foods such as clear broth, diluted fruit juices or sugar-free drinks and gelatin desserts. This diet is continued until the gastrointestinal tract has recovered somewhat from the surgery. The next stage provides a blended or pureed sugar-free diet for at least two weeks. This may consist of high protein, liquid or soft foods such as protein shakes, soft meats, and dairy products. Foods high in carbohydrates are usually avoided when possible during the initial weight loss period.

Post-surgery, overeating is curbed because exceeding the capacity of the stomach causes nausea and vomiting. Diet restrictions after recovery from surgery depend in part on the type of surgery. Many patients will need to take a daily multivitamin pill for life to compensate for reduced absorption of essential nutrients.[20] Because patients cannot eat a large quantity of food, physicians typically recommend a diet that is relatively high in protein and low in fats and alcohol.

Fluid recommendations

It is very common, within the first month post-surgery, for a patient to undergo volume depletion and dehydration. Patients have difficulty drinking the appropriate amount of fluids as they adapt to their new gastric volume. Limitations on oral fluid intake, reduced calorie intake, and a higher incidence of vomiting and diarrhea are all factors that have a significant contribution to dehydration. In order to prevent fluid volume depletion and dehydration, a minimum of 48–64 fl oz should be consumed by repetitive small sips all day. [21]

Effectiveness of surgery

Weight loss

In general, the malabsorptive procedures lead to more weight loss than the restrictive procedures; however, they have a higher risk profile. A meta-analysis from University of California, Los Angeles, reports the following weight loss at 36 months:[5]

The maximum weight loss occurs in the first 10 months after surgery. More recent studies have demonstrated that the medium (3–8 years) and long term (> 10 years) weight loss results for RYGB and LAGB become very similar.[22] However, the range of excess weight loss for LAGB patients (25% to 80%) is much broader than that of RYGB patients (50% to 70%). Data (beyond 5 years) for sleeve gastrectomy indicates weight loss statistics similar to RYGB.

Reduced mortality and morbidity

In the short term, weight loss from bariatric surgeries is associated with reductions in some comorbidities of obesity, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea, but the benefits for hypertension is uncertain. It is uncertain whether any given bariatric procedure is more effective than another in controlling comorbidities. There is no high quality evidence concerning longer-term effects compared with conventional treatment on comorbidities.[23]

Bariatric surgery in older patients has also been a topic of debate, centered on concerns for safety in this population; the relative benefits and risks in this population is not known.[23]

Given the remarkable rate of diabetes remission with bariatric surgery, there is considerable interest in offering this intervention to people with type 2 diabetes who have a lower BMI than is generally required for bariatric surgery, but high quality evidence is lacking and optimal timing of the procedure is uncertain.[23]

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery requires a hospital stay of only one or two days. Short-term complications from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding are reported to be lower than laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery, and complications from laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery are lower than conventional (open) Roux-en-Y surgery.[1][24][25]

Costs of Surgery

The costs of bariatric surgery depend on the type of procedure performed and method of payment along with location-specific factors including geographical region, surgical practice and hospital in which the surgery is performed.

The four established procedure types, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) and duodenal switch, carry an average cost in the United States of $24,000, $15,000, $19,000 and $27,000, respectively. However, location-specific costs can vary significantly. Quoted costs generally include day-of-surgery fees for the hospital, surgeon, surgical assistant, anesthesia and implanted devices (if applicable). Depending on the surgical practice, quoted costs may or may not include pre-op, post-op or longer-term follow-up office visits.[26]

Adverse effects

Complications from weight loss surgery are frequent. A study of insurance claims of 2522 who had undergone bariatric surgery showed 21.9% complications during the initial hospital stay and a total of 40% risk of complications in the subsequent six months. This was more common in those over 40 and led to an increased health care expenditure. Common problems were gastric dumping syndrome in about 20% (bloating and diarrhea after eating, necessitating small meals or medication), leaks at the surgical site (12%), incisional hernia (7%), infections (6%) and pneumonia (4%) where the mortality was 0.2%.[27] As the rate of complications appears to be reduced when the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon, guidelines recommend that surgery be performed in dedicated or experienced units.[4] It has been observed that the rate of leaks was greater in low volume centres whereas high volume centres showed a lesser leak rate. Leak rates have now globally decreased to a mean of 1-5%.

Metabolic bone disease manifesting as osteopenia and secondary hyperparathyroidism have been reported after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery due to reduced calcium absorption. The highest concentration of calcium transporters is in the duodenum. Since the ingested food will not pass through the duodenum after a bypass procedure, calcium levels in the blood may decrease, causing secondary hyperparathyroidism, increase in bone turnover, and a decrease in bone mass. Increased risk of fracture has also been linked to bariatric surgery.[28]

Rapid weight loss after obesity surgery can contribute to the development of gallstones as well by increasing the lithogenicity of bile. Adverse effects on the kidneys have been studied. Hyperoxaluria that can potentially lead to oxalate nephropathy and irreversible renal failure is the most significant abnormality seen on urine chemistry studies. Rhabdomyolysis leading to acute kidney injury, and impaired renal handling of acid and base has been reported after bypass surgery.[29]

Nutritional derangements due to deficiencies of micronutrients like iron, vitamin B12, fat soluble vitamins, thiamine, and folate are especially common after malabsorptive bariatric procedures. Seizures due to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia have been reported. Inappropriate insulin secretion secondary to islet cell hyperplasia, called pancreatic nesidioblastosis, might explain this syndrome.[30][31][32]

Bariatric Surgery in Youth

As childhood obesity has more than doubled over recent years and more than tripled in adolescents (according to the CDC), bariatric surgery for youth has become increasingly common.[33][34] Society worries that a decline in life expectancy might occur from the increasing levels of obesity.[35] There is an innate moral obligation to provide youth with proper care in order to prevent serious medical complications from obesity and its related diseases. Difficulties and ethical issues arise when making decisions related to obesity treatments for those that are too young or otherwise unable to give consent without adult guidance.[33]

Children and adolescents are still developing, both physically and mentally. This makes it difficult for them to make an informed decision and give consent to move forward with a treatment. Not only do age and maturity level of patients affect their ability to make informed decisions but patients may also be experiencing severe depression or other psychological disorders related to their obesity that make understanding the information very difficult.[33][36] Young children and adolescents may also have become desperate or feel that there is no other way out of their situation. Decision makers are often overwhelmed with this feeling and strong preconceived conceptions that this will solve all of their problems make for rather uninformed decisions.[33]

History

Open weight loss surgery began slowly in the 1950s with the intestinal bypass. It involved anastomosis of the upper and lower intestine, which bypasses a large amount of the absorptive circuit, which caused weight loss purely by the malabsorption of food. Later Drs. J. Howard Payne, Lorent T. DeWind and Robert R. Commons developed in 1963 the Jejuno-colic Shunt, which connected the upper small intestine to the colon. The laboratory research leading to gastric bypass did not begin until 1965 when Dr. Edward E. Mason and Chikashi Ito at the University of Iowa developed the original gastric bypass for weight reduction which led to fewer complications than the intestinal bypass and for this reason Mason is known as the "father of obesity surgery". [37]

See also

References

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  2. ↑ Maciejewski ML, Livingston EH, Smith VA et al. (June 2011). "Survival among high-risk patients after bariatric surgery". JAMA 305 (23): 2419–26. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.817. PMID 21666276.
  3. ↑ Fajnwaks P, Ramirez A, Martinez P, Arias E, Szomstein S, Rosenthal R (May 2008). "P46: Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with BMI less than 35 kg/m2". Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 4 (3): 329. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2008.03.107.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Snow V, Barry P, Fitterman N, Qaseem A, Weiss K (2005). "Pharmacologic and Surgical Management of Obesity in Primary Care: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians". Annals of Internal Medicine 142 (7): 525–31. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-142-7-200504050-00011. PMID 15809464.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Maggard MA, Shugarman LR, Suttorp M et al. (2005). "Meta-analysis: surgical treatment of obesity". Annals of Internal Medicine 142 (7): 547–59. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-142-7-200504050-00013. PMID 15809466.
  6. ↑ International Diabetes Federation position statement on Bariatric Surgical and Procedural Interventions in the Treatment of Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
  7. ↑ Chiles C, van Wattum PJ (2010). "Psychiatric aspects of the obesity crisis". Psychiatr Times 27 (4): 47–51.
  8. ↑ Abell TL, Minocha A (2006). "Gastrointestinal complications of bariatric surgery: diagnosis and therapy". Am. J. Med. Sci. 331 (4): 214–8. doi:10.1097/00000441-200604000-00008. PMID 16617237.
  9. ↑ http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Diabetes/17008
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Stanczyk, M., Martindale, R.G., & Deveney, C. (2007). "53 Bariatric Surgery Overview". In C.D. Berdanier, E.B. Feldman, J. Dwyer. Handbook of Nutrition and Food. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. pp. 915–926.
  11. ↑ Shikora, S. A., Kim, J., & Tarnoff, M. E. (2007). "Nutritional and gastrointestinal complications of bariatric surgery". Nutrition in Clinical Practice 22 (1): 29–40. doi:10.1177/011542650702200129. PMID 17242452.
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  17. ↑ DoctorsofWeightLoss.com. "Gastric Plication".
  18. ↑ "LifeShape Advanced Bariatric Center of Florida". www.LifeShape.net. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  19. ↑ Pardo JV, Sheikh SA, Kuskowski MA et al. (November 2007). "Weight loss during chronic, cervical vagus nerve stimulation in depressed patients with obesity: an observation". Int J Obes (Lond) 31 (11): 1756–9. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803666. PMC 2365729. PMID 17563762.
  20. ↑ Tucker ON, Szomstein S, Rosenthal RJ (May 2007). "Nutritional consequences of weight-loss surgery". Med. Clin. North Am. 91 (3): 499–514, xii. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2007.01.006. PMID 17509392.
  21. ↑ Petering, R., & Webb, C.W. (2009). "Exercise, fluid, and nutrition recommendations for the postgastric bypass exerciser". Current Sports Medicine Reports 8 (2): 92–97. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31819e2cd6. PMID 19276910.
  22. ↑ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/706394
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Colquitt JL et al. Surgery for weight loss in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Aug 8;8:CD003641. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003641.pub4. PMID 25105982
  24. ↑ Flum DR, Belle SH, King WC et al. (July 2009). "Perioperative safety in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery". N. Engl. J. Med. 361 (5): 445–54. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0901836. PMC 2854565. PMID 19641201.
  25. ↑ Nguyen NT, Silver M, Robinson M et al. (May 2006). "Result of a national audit of bariatric surgery performed at academic centers: a 2004 University HealthSystem Consortium Benchmarking Project". Arch Surg 141 (5): 445–9; discussion 449–50. doi:10.1001/archsurg.141.5.445. PMID 16702515.
  26. ↑ Quinlan, J, Cost of Bariatric Surgery: 2014 Surgeon Survey & Key Findings, Bariatric Surgery Source, retrieved 1 January 2015
  27. ↑ Encinosa WE, Bernard DM, Chen CC, Steiner CA (2006). "Healthcare utilization and outcomes after bariatric surgery". Medical care 44 (8): 706–12. doi:10.1097/01.mlr.0000220833.89050.ed. PMID 16862031.
  28. ↑ "Bariatric Surgery Linked to Increased Fracture Risk". Science Daily. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  29. ↑ "Bariatric Surgery: A Detailed Overview". bariatricguide.org. Bariatric Surgery Information Guide. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  30. ↑ Chauhan V, Vaid M, Gupta M, Kalanuria A, Parashar A (August 2010). "Metabolic, renal, and nutritional consequences of bariatric surgery: implications for the clinician". South. Med. J. 103 (8): 775–83; quiz 784–5. doi:10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181e6cc3f. PMID 20622731.
  31. ↑ "Nutritional Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery". bariatricguide.org. Bariatric Surgery Information Guide. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  32. ↑ Miller, Kinsy. "Comparison of Nutritional Deficiencies and Complications following Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass, and Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch." Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Bowling Green State University, 2008. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. 15 Jul 2013.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Hofmann, Bjorn (30 April 2013). "Bariatric surgery for obese children and adolescents: a review of the moral challenges". BioMed Central 14 (1): 18. doi:10.1186/1472-6939-14-18. PMC 3655839. PMID 23631445. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  34. ↑ "Childhood Obesity Facts". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  35. ↑ Caniano, Donna (30 June 2009). "Ethical issues in pediatric bariatric surgery". Seminars in Pediatric Surgery. doi:10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2009.04.009. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  36. ↑ Zeller, MH; Roehrig HR; Modi AC; Daniels SR; Inge TH (April 2006). "Health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms in adolescents with extreme obesity presenting for bariatric surgery". Pediatrics 14 (4): 1155–1161. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1141.
  37. ↑ "Edward Mason, M.D.". University of Iowa. Retrieved 2014-08-09.