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Background: The population are getting older and obesity is growing. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is increasingly used worldwide but is still used with skepticism in the elderly. The purpose of our analysis is to judge the security of LSG in patients older than 60 years compared to patients younger than 60 years., Methods: This retrospective review included data of all patients in Germany who underwent LSG between January 2005 and December 2016.The data were published online in the German Bariatric Surgery Registry. A total of 21,571 operations were gathered and divided into two groups: group I, patients < 60 years old; and group II, patients ≥ 60 years old., Results: The total number of patients and the mean body mass index of group I and group II was 19,786, 51.7 ± 9.5 kg/m 2 and 1771, 49.2 ± 8.1 kg/m 2 , respectively. Regarding comorbidities, group II suffered statistically significantly more comorbidities than group I (p < 0.001). The general postoperative complications were 4.9% in group I and 7.8% in group II (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in special postoperative complications (p = 0.048) and a slightly higher intraoperative complication rate in group II (2.2% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.048). Thirty-day mortality rate for group I versus II was 0.22% and 0.23% (p = 0.977), respectively., Conclusions: LSG is a low-risk operation and safe surgical method with acceptable, not elevated perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in patients ≥ 60 years of age.

Background: Morbid obesity in both adolescents and adults has risen in an alarming rate. Bariatric surgery is playing an increasing role in pediatric surgery. However, current evidence is limited regarding its safety and outcome., Methods: Since 2005, data from obese patients that undergo bariatric procedures in Germany are prospectively registered. For the current analysis, all adolescent and adult subjects that had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) from 2005 to 2014 were considered., Results: LSG represents the most common bariatric procedure in Germany with a proportion of 48.1% in adolescent and 48.7% in adult obese in 2014. LSG was performed in 362 adolescent and 15,428 adult subjects. Pre-operative BMI was comparable between the two populations. However, adult obese had more frequently coexisting comorbidities (p < 0.01). Complication rates and mortality (0 vs. 0.2%) did not differ significantly. Adolescents achieved a BMI reduction of 16.8 and 18.0 kg/m 2 at 12 and 24 months compared with 15.4 and 16.6 kg/m 2 in the adult group. There was a significantly higher BMI reduction in late adolescents (19-21 years) compared with patients ≤18 years at 24 months (19.8 vs. 13.6 kg/m 2 ). Resolution rate of hypertension was significantly higher in adolescents., Conclusion: LSG is a safe therapeutic option that can be performed in adolescents without mortality. Late adolescents experienced the highest weight loss; resolution rate of comorbidities was lower in adults. All future efforts should now be focused on the evaluation of the long-term outcomes of LSG in the pediatric population.

Background: Staple line leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) still represents the most feared complication. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are factors that increase the risk for a leakage. Furthermore, we aimed to analyze the impact of a leak on weight change and resolution of comorbidities., Methods: Since 2005, data from obese patients that undergo bariatric procedures in Germany are prospectively registered. For the current analysis, all adult subjects that had undergone primary LSG from 2005 to 2014 were considered., Results: Overall, 241/15,756 (1.53%) patients experienced a leak. The occurrence of a leakage resulted in a significant increase of the mortality rate (3.7 vs. 0.2%; p < 0.01). Percent excess weight loss did not differ between leak and non-leak patients, both, at 12 (64.2 vs. 60.9%; p = 1.0) and 24 months (68.5 vs. 64.0%, p = 0.86). Similarly, no significant difference was observed for resolution rate of all comorbid conditions. Matched pair analysis confirmed these findings. Multivariable analysis identified operation time, conversion, intraoperative complications, and hypertension and degenerative joint disease as risk factors for a leak. Oversewing the staple line was associated with the lowest risk., Conclusion: The postoperative staple line leak after primary LSG significantly increases postoperative morbidity and mortality. We found that there are patient-related factors and operative variables that predispose to leakage after LSG. However, the occurrence of a leakage does not adversely impact the weight loss and resolution of comorbidities in the mid-term.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently being performed with increasing frequency worldwide. It offers an excellent weight loss and resolution of comorbidities in the short term with a very low incidence of complications. However, the ever present risk of a staple line leak is still a major concern., Methods: Since 2005, data from obese patients that undergo bariatric procedures in Germany are prospectively registered in an online database and analyzed at the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgical Medicine. For the current analysis, all patients that had undergone primary sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity within a 7-year period were considered., Results: Using the GBSR, data from 5.400 LSGs were considered for analysis. Staple line leak rate decreased during the study period from 6.5 to 1.4 %. Male gender, higher BMI, concomitant sleep apnea, conversion to laparotomy, longer operation time, use of both buttresses and oversewing, and the occurrence of intraoperative complications were associated with a significantly higher leakage rate. On multivariate analysis, operation time and year of procedure only had a significant impact on staple line leak rate., Conclusions: The results of the current study demonstrated that there are factors that increase the risk of a leakage which would enable surgeons to define risk groups, to more carefully select patients, and to offer a closer follow-up during the postoperative course with early recognition and adequate treatment. All future efforts should be focused on a further reduction of serious complications to make the LSG a widely accepted and safer procedure.

Background: Since 1 January 2005, the outcomes of bariatric surgeries have been examined in Germany. All data are registered prospectively in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance in Surgery at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg., Methods: Data are collected in an online data bank. Data collection began in 2005 for the results of gastric banding (GB) and in 2006 for sleeve gastrectomies (SGs). In addition to primary bariatric operations, data regarding the complications of revision procedures and redo operations have been analyzed. Participation in the quality assurance study is required for all certified centers in Germany., Results: SGs are a popular redo operation after failed gastric banding. Using the German Bariatric Surgery Registry, we analyzed data from 137 SGs that were used in a one-step approach after GB and 37 SGs that were used in a two-step approach. Leakage rates for primary SGs dropped to 1.9 %. The incidence of leakage after a one-step SG after GB is significantly higher (4.4 %) than for a two-step approach (0 %)., Conclusion: SGs are popular procedures after failed GB in Germany, but the complication rates for one-step band removal are higher than for a two-step approach. After examining the data, we suggest performing band removal and SG as a two-step procedure. Further analysis is necessary to evaluate the optimal time period between band removal and SG. Follow-up investigations must be performed to determine if SG is an effective and safe option after GB.

Background: Ghrelin, a known orexigenic hormone, has been demonstrated to be produced and released by salivary glands. Obtaining saliva for metabolism studies would be preferable for patients since the procedure is non-invasive., Methods: The present study examined serum and salivary ghrelin levels in 41 morbidly obese subjects, 45 healthy controls, and 17 patients with metastatic carcinoma by using a commercial radioimmunoassay., Results: When comparing serum and salivary levels under fasting conditions, ghrelin levels were significantly higher in saliva for morbidly obese and healthy subjects. A significant correlation between salivary and serum ghrelin could only be demonstrated for healthy subjects. Fasting serum ghrelin concentrations in morbidly obese patients were significantly lower compared with healthy controls and cancer patients, however the levels in whole saliva did not differ significantly between all groups. There was only a highly significant inverse correlation between BMI and serum ghrelin. Serum ghrelin correlated positively with age in morbidly obese. There was no significant difference in serum and saliva ghrelin concentrations between men and women. Following the standardized meal, no significant suppression of serum ghrelin levels in morbidly obese was observed, however salivary ghrelin concentrations were significantly decreased., Conclusions: The results of the present study support the hypothesis that there is an autonomous production of ghrelin in the salivary glands. Further research should focus on factors involved in the regulation of salivary ghrelin. Until the mechanism of regulation is fully understood, the testing of ghrelin levels in saliva is too limited to recommend a switch from serum testing.

Background: Weight loss is associated with increased levels of adiponectin with a greater increase observed following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) compared to restrictive procedures. However, currently there are no data on changes in adiponectin following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Ghrelin was reported to be also produced by the salivary glands. There are also no data available regarding its changes following bariatric surgery., Methods: The present study examined weight loss, and salivary ghrelin and HMW adiponectin levels in 43 morbidly obese subjects undergoing three different types of bariatric surgery., Results: We found that weight loss following LSG is superior to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and comparable to RYGB at 12 months after surgery. Although blood glucose decreased similarly following all three procedures, fasting insulin continuously declined only in LSG and RYGB patients. Changes in both fasting and postprandial salivary ghrelin greatly varied between all three procedures with no similarities to changes in serum ghrelin reported in the literature. HMW adiponectin significantly increased following LSG, and this increase was more marked than in LAGB patients and almost identical compared to RYGB., Conclusions: Weight loss following LSG is comparable to RYGB in the short term. Changes in HMW adiponectin are comparable following LSG and RYGB which may further contribute to the successful results after LSG. Furthermore, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that there is an autonomous production of ghrelin in salivary glands irrespective of nutritional status and weight loss.

Background: While weight loss is the primary goal of bariatric procedures, the impact of quality of life (QoL), comorbidity, and surgery-related complications continue to grow. We report on our results of patients up to 12 years of follow-up undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)., Methods: Preoperative data of 153 patients treated with LAGB were collected retrospectively. Questionnaires were sent to patients to analyze weight loss, complications, and comorbidities. QoL was assessed using the Bariatric Qualit-of-Life (BQL) questionnaire., Results: Of the patients, 83.7% completed the questionnaire. Median follow-up was 8.7 years. Patients were divided into the following groups: Group A (band still in place), group B (band removed), and group C (revision surgery). A significant increase of excess BMI loss (EBL) was found in group A (p<0.0001): EBL was 36.1%, 42.8%, 41.8%, and 37.1% after 1, 3, 5, and 8 years, respectively. Group B showed a significant weight regain after band removal (p=0.007). One hundred ten reoperations were necessary in 67 patients (52.3%): slippage or pouch dilatation in 25.8%, band migration in 3.9%, band intolerance in 6.2%, and 62 revisions due to port complications. According to BQL, a higher EBL correlated with a significantly better assessment of QoL (p<0.0001)., Conclusions: LAGB resulted in improvement of comorbidities and QoL in banded patients even though not all of them achieved the expected EBL. However, the high complication rate could influence patients' outcome.

Background: Obesity is a modern-day phenomenon that is increasing throughout the world. The aim of the present study was to provide data to establish whether the laparoscopic approach to colorectal surgery in the obese patient represents a risk or, rather, a benefit for the patient., Method: The data presented in this paper were obtained within the framework of a prospective multicenter study initiated by the "Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Study Group (LCSSG)" and performed on 5,853 recruited patients. The perioperative course was compared between the three groups: nonobese, obesity grade I, and obesity grade II/III., Results: Increasing body mass index correlated with a highly significant increase in the duration of the operation (nonobese 167 min, grade I 182 min, grade II/III 191 min; p < 0.001) and in the conversion rate (nonobese 5.5%, obesity grade I 7.9%, obesity grade II/III 13.1%; p < 0.001). The intraoperative complication rate also showed a tendency to increase (nonobese 5.0%, grade I 6.2%, grade II/III 7.1%; p = 0.219). In contrast, no significant differences were found between the groups with regard to the postoperative complication rate (nonobese 20.7%, grade I 21.0%, grade II/III 20.2%), the reoperation rate (nonobese 4.1%, grade I 3.9%, grade II/III 3.6%), and the postoperative mortality rate (nonobese 1.1%, grade I 1.9%, grade II/III 1.8%)., Conclusion: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is clearly more technically demanding in the obese patient. Apart from this, however, it is not associated with any increased risk of postoperative complications, and thus demonstrates that the pathologically overweight patient can benefit to a particular degree from the laparoscopic modality.