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Background Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is an effective treatment option for leakage of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of quality improvements in EVT management on patients’ outcome. Methods All patients treated by EVT at our center during 2012–2021 were divided into two consecutive and equal-sized cohorts (period 1 vs. period 2). Over time several quality improvement strategies were implemented including the earlier diagnosis and EVT treatment and technical optimization of endoscopy. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite score MTL30 (mortality, transfer, length-of-stay > 30 days). Secondary endpoints included EVT efficacy, complications, in-hospital mortality, length-of-stay (LOS) and nutrition status at discharge. Results A total of 156 patients were analyzed. During the latter period the primary endpoint MTL30 decreased from 60.8 to 39.0% (P = .006). EVT efficacy increased from 80 to 91% (P = .049). Further, the need for additional procedures for leakage management decreased from 49.9 to 29.9% (P = .013) and reoperations became less frequent (38.0% vs.15.6%; P = .001). The duration of leakage therapy and LOS were shortened from 25 to 14 days (P = .003) and 38 days to 25 days (P = .006), respectively. Morbidity (as determined by the comprehensive complication index) decreased from 54.6 to 46.5 (P = .034). More patients could be discharged on oral nutrition (70.9% vs. 84.4%, P = .043). Conclusions Our experience confirms the efficacy of EVT for the successful management of UGI leakage. Our quality improvement analysis demonstrates significant changes in EVT management resulting in accelerated recovery, fewer complications and improved functional outcome.

Background An intragastric balloon is used to cause weight loss in super-obese patients (BMI > 60 kg/m2) prior to bariatric surgery. Whether weight loss from intragastric balloon influences that from bariatric surgery is poorly studied. Methods In this retrospective, single-center study, the effects of intragastric balloon in 26 patients (BMI 69.26 ± 6.81) on weight loss after bariatric surgery (primary endpoint), postoperative complications within 30 days, hospital readmission, operation time, and MTL30 (secondary endpoints) were evaluated. Fifty-two matched-pair patients without intragastric balloon prior to bariatric surgery were used as controls. Results Intragastric balloon resulted in a weight loss of 17.3 ± 14.1 kg (BMI 5.75 ± 4.66 kg/m2) with a nadir after 5 months. Surgical and postoperative outcomes including complications were comparable between both groups. Total weight loss was similar in both groups (29.0% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.362). Direct postoperative weight loss was more pronounced in the control group compared to the gastric balloon group (29.16 ± 7.53% vs 23.78 ± 9.89% after 1 year, p p Conclusion A multi-stage therapeutic approach with gastric balloon prior to bariatric surgery in super-obese patients may be effective to facilitate safe surgery. However, with the gastric balloon, pre-treated patients experienced an attenuated postoperative weight loss with an earlier nadir and earlier body weight regain. This should be considered when choosing the appropriate therapeutic regime and managing patients’ expectations.

Objective Adrenal resections are rare procedures of a heterogeneous nature. While recent European guidelines advocate a minimum annual caseload for adrenalectomies (6 per surgeon), evidence for a volume–outcome relationship for this surgery remains limited. Design A retrospective analysis of all adrenal resections in Germany between 2009 and 2017 using hospital billing data was performed. Hospitals were grouped into three tertiles of approximately equal patient volume. Methods Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were applied to identify a possible volume–outcome relationship (complications, complication management, and mortality). Results Around 17 040 primary adrenal resections were included. Benign adrenal tumors (n = 8,213, 48.2%) and adrenal metastases of extra-adrenal malignancies (n = 3582, 21.0%) were the most common diagnoses. Six hundred and thirty-two low-volume hospitals performed an equal number of resections as 23 high-volume hospitals (median surgeries/hospital/year 3 versus 31, P < .001). Complications were less frequent in high-volume hospitals (23.1% in low-volume hospitals versus 17.3% in high-volume hospitals, P < .001). The most common complication was bleeding in 2027 cases (11.9%) with a mortality of 4.6% (94 patients). Overall in-house mortality was 0.7% (n = 126). Age, malignancy, an accompanying resection, complications, and open surgery were associated with in-house mortality. In univariate analysis, surgery in high-volume hospitals was associated with lower mortality (OR: 0.47, P < .001). In a multivariate model, the tendency remained equal (OR: 0.59, P = .104). Regarding failure to rescue (death in case of complications), there was a trend toward lower mortality in high-volume hospitals. Conclusions The annual caseload of adrenal resections varies considerably among German hospitals. Our findings suggest that surgery in high-volume centers is advantageous for patient outcomes although fatal complications are rare.

Activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) consumes copious amounts of circulating nutrients to fuel thermogenesis. Recently writing in Nature, Seki et al. show that this property can be leveraged to limit glucose availability for cancer cells and slow tumor growth, thereby adding cancer to the growing list of diseases that can potentially be treated by activating BAT.

Background Gastric pull-up (GPU) procedures may be complicated by leaks, fistulas, or stenoses. These complications are usually managed by endoscopy, but in extreme cases multidisciplinary management including reoperation may be necessary. Here, we report a combined endoscopic and surgical approach to manage a failed secondary GPU procedure. Case summary A 70-year-old male with treatment-refractory cervical esophagocutaneous fistula with stenotic remnant esophagus after secondary GPU was transferred to our tertiary hospital. Local and systemic infection originating from the infected fistula was resolved by endoscopy. Hence, elective esophageal reconstruction with free-jejunal interposition was performed with no subsequent adverse events. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach involving interventional endoscopists and surgeons successfully managed severe complications arising from a cervical esophagocutaneous fistula after GPU. Endoscopic treatment may have lowered the perioperative risk to promote primary wound healing after free-jejunal graft interposition.

The comet assay is a commonly used method to determine DNA damage and repair activity in many types of samples. In recent years, the use of the comet assay in human biomonitoring became highly attractive due to its various modified versions, which may be useful to determine individual susceptibility in blood samples. However, in human biomonitoring studies, working with large sample numbers that are acquired over an extended time period requires some additional considerations. One of the most important issues is the storage of samples and its effect on the outcome of the comet assay. Another important question is the suitability of different blood preparations. In this study, we analysed the effect of cryopreservation on DNA damage and repair activity in human blood samples. In addition, we investigated the suitability of different blood preparations. The alkaline and FPG as well as two different types of repair comet assay and an in vitro hydrogen peroxide challenge were applied. Our results confirmed that cryopreserved blood preparations are suitable for investigating DNA damage in the alkaline and FPG comet assay in whole blood, buffy coat and PBMCs. Ex vivo hydrogen peroxide challenge yielded its optimal effect in isolated PBMCs. The utilised repair comet assay with either UVC or hydrogen peroxide-induced lesions and an aphidicolin block worked well in fresh PBMCs. Cryopreserved PBMCs could not be used immediately after thawing. However, a 16-h recovery with or without mitotic stimulation enabled the application of the repair comet assay, albeit only in a surviving cell fraction.

Background: Obesity is considered a risk factor for postoperative complications as it can limit exposure to the operation field, thereby significantly prolonging surgery time. Obesity-associated comorbidities, such as low-grade systemic inflammation, impaired functional status, and type 2 diabetes, are independent risk factors for impaired anastomotic wound healing and nonsurgical site infections. If obesity itself is an independent risk factor for surgical complications remains controversial, but the reason for this is largely unexplored. Summary: A MEDLINE literature search was performed using the terms: “obesity,” “excess body weight,” and “surgical complications.” Out of 65,493 articles 432 meta-analyses were screened, of which 25 meta-analyses were on the subject. The vast majority of complex oncologic procedures in the field of visceral surgery have shown higher complication rates in obese patients. Meta-analyses from the last 10 to 15 years with high numbers of patients enrolled consistently have shown longer operation times, higher blood loss, longer hospital stay for colorectal procedures, oncologic upper gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, and pancreatic surgery. Interestingly, these negative effects seem not to affect the overall survival in oncologic patients, especially in esophageal resections. A selection bias in oncologic upper GI patients may have influenced the results with higher BMI in upper GI cancer to be a predictor for better nutritional and performance status. Key Messages: Contrary to bariatric surgery, only limited evidence indicated that site and type of surgery, the approach to the abdominal cavity (laparoscopic vs. open), institutional factors, and the type of perioperative care such as ERAS protocols may play a role in determining postsurgical complications in obese patients. The initial question remains therefore partially unanswered. Large nationwide register-based studies are necessary to better understand which aspects of obesity and its related comorbidities define it as a risk factor for surgical complications.

ZusammenfassungDie Adipositas- bzw. metabolische Chirurgie stellt derzeit evidenzbasiert die einzige Therapiemodalität dar, die bei Patienten mit drittgradiger Adipositas zu einem nachhaltigen und auch klinisch relevanten Gewichtsverlust, zu einer Verbesserung der Lebensqualität und Funktionalität sowie zu einer Minderung vorliegender Adipositas-assoziierter Begleiterkrankungen und damit zu einer Verlängerung der Lebenserwartung führt.Die Operationen werden vorzugsweise in zertifizierten Zentren mit niedriger perioperativer Morbidität und Letalität in Schlüsselloch-Technik durchgeführt. Die weltweit am häufigsten durchgeführten adipositaschirurgischen Verfahren sind die Sleevegastrektomie (SG), der Roux-en-Y-Magenbypass (RYGB) und der Omega-Loop-Bypass (oder Mini-Gastric-Bypass) (MGB). Daneben existieren weitere intestinale Bypassverfahren.Die Entscheidung für das jeweilige Operationsverfahren ist im interdisziplinären Konsens von einem Team, bestehend aus Chirurgen, Internisten, Psychiatern/Psychologen und Ökotrophologen, individuell für jeden Patienten in Abhängigkeit der Komorbiditäten und patientenbezogener Daten zu treffen. Im Nachfolgenden werden die verschiedenen Operationsverfahren im Hinblick auf ihre jeweiligen Vor- und Nachteilen miteinander verglichen und auf die für das jeweilige Verfahren am besten geeignete Patientengruppe eingegangen.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Weichgewebsrekonstruktion bei alten Patienten stellt eine Herausforderung dar. Der freie Gewebetransfer kann bei gesunden Patienten trotz hohen Alters mit hoher Erfolgsrate durchgeführt werden. Bei multimorbiden Patienten, die für den freien Gewebetransfer nicht in Betracht kommen, werden häufig lokale Lappenplastiken eingesetzt, welche mit einer hohen Komplikationsrate assoziiert sind. Gerade solche Rettungseingriffe müssen so gewählt werden, dass eine Amputation durch die Wahl der Entnahmestelle nicht nachteilig beeinflusst wird oder gar unmöglich wird. Methode Drei distal basierte lokale Lappenplastiken wie Suralis‑, Peronaeus-brevis- und Propellerlappenplastik werden im Hinblick auf die Platzierung der Entnahmestelle sowie die Komplikationen der Wundheilungsstörung diskutiert. Ergebnisse Die Entnahmestelle der Suralislappenplastik ist nachteilig, da die proximale, dorsale Wadenregion betroffen ist, die im Falle einer Unterschenkelamputation die Weichteildeckung des Stumpfes ermöglicht. Schlussfolgerung Soll eine lokale Lappenplastik als „Rettungseingriff“ als Versuch der Vermeidung einer Unterschenkelamputation bei für einen freien Gewebetransfer nichtgeeigneten Patienten zum Einsatz kommen, gilt es, Lappenplastiken zu wählen, die die Entnahmestelle außerhalb der dorsalen, proximalen Wade platzieren, um die Weichteildeckung einer Stumpfbildung potenziell zu ermöglichen.

The hypothalamus is the main integrator of peripheral and central signals in the control of energy homeostasis. Its functional relevance for the effectivity of bariatric surgery is not entirely elucidated. Studying the effects of bariatric surgery in patients with hypothalamic damage might provide insight.Prospective study to analyze the effects of bariatric surgery in patients with hypothalamic obesity (HO) vs. matched patients with common obesity (CO) with and without bariatric surgery.65 participants were included (HO-surgery: n = 8, HO-control: n = 10, CO-surgery: n = 12, CO-control: n = 12, Lean-control: n = 23). Body weight, levels of anorexic hormones, gut microbiota, as well as subjective well-being/health status, eating behavior, and brain activity (via functional MRI) were evaluated.Patients with HO lost significantly less weight after bariatric surgery than CO-participants (total body weight loss %: 5.5 % vs. 26.2 %, p = 0.0004). After a mixed meal, satiety and abdominal fullness tended to be lowest in HO-surgery and did not correlate with levels of GLP-1 or PYY. Levels of PYY (11,151 ± 1667 pmol/l/h vs. 8099 ± 1235 pmol/l/h, p = 0.028) and GLP-1 (20,975 ± 2893 pmol/l/h vs. 13,060 ± 2357 pmol/l/h, p = 0.009) were significantly higher in the HO-surgery vs. CO-surgery group. Abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus was increased in feces of HO and CO after bariatric surgery. Comparing HO patients with lean-controls revealed an increased activation in insula and cerebellum to viewing high-caloric foods in left insula and cerebellum in fMRI.Hypothalamic integrity is necessary for the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in humans. Peripheral changes after bariatric surgery are not sufficient to induce satiety and long-term weight loss in patients with hypothalamic damage.

Treatment options for NAFLD are still limited. Bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), has been shown to improve metabolic and histologic markers of NAFLD. Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues lead to improvements in phase 2 clinical trials. We directly compared the effects of RYGB with a treatment using liraglutide and/or peptide tyrosine tyrosine 3-36 (PYYObese male Wistar rats (high-fat diet (HFD)-induced) were randomized into the following treatment groups: RYGB, sham-operation (sham), liraglutide (0.4 mg/kg/day), PYYRYGB and liraglutide+PYYThe combination therapy of liraglutide+PYY

Background: The hypothalamus is an important brain region for the regulation of energy balance. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and gut hormone-based treatments are known to reduce body weight, but their effects on hypothalamic gene expression and signaling pathways are poorly studied. Methods: Diet-induced obese male Wistar rats were randomized into the following groups: RYGB, sham operation, sham + body weight-matched (BWM) to the RYGB group, osmotic minipump delivering PYY3-36 (0.1 mg/kg/day), liraglutide s.c. (0.4 mg/kg/day), PYY3-36 + liraglutide, and saline. All groups (except BWM) were kept on a free choice of high- and low-fat diets. Four weeks after interventions, hypothalami were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: While rats in the RYGB, BWM, and PYY3-36 + liraglutide groups had comparable reductions in body weight, only RYGB and BWM treatment had a major impact on hypothalamic gene expression. In these groups, hypothalamic leptin receptor expression as well as the JAK–STAT, PI3K-Akt, and AMPK signaling pathways were upregulated. No significant changes could be detected in PYY3-36 + liraglutide-, liraglutide-, and PYY-treated groups. Conclusions: Despite causing similar body weight changes compared to RYGB and BWM, PYY3-36 + liraglutide treatment does not impact hypothalamic gene expression. Whether this striking difference is favorable or unfavorable to metabolic health in the long term requires further investigation.

The comet assay is widely used for quantification of genomic damage in humans. Peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are the most often used cell type for this purpose. Since the comet assay can be performed in an enhanced throughput format, it can be applied to large sample collections such as biobanks. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study is one of the largest existing prospective cohort studies, and the German Cancer Research Institute (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is a participating center with 25.000 frozen blood samples stored from around 25 years ago, enabling retrospective assessment of disease risk factors. However, experience with decades long frozen samples in the comet assay is so far missing. In Heidelberg, 800 study participants were re-invited twice between 2010 and 2012 to donate further blood samples. Here, we analyzed 299 Heidelberg-EPIC samples, compiled from frozen PBMC and buffy coat preparations selected from the different sampling time points. In addition, 47 frozen PBMC samples from morbidly obese individuals were included. For buffy coat samples, we observed a poor correlation between DNA damage in the same donors assessed at two sampling time points. Additionally, no correlation between DNA damage in buffy coat samples and PBMCs was found. For PBMCs, a good correlation was observed between samples of the same donors at the two time points. DNA damage was not affected by age and smoking status, but high BMI (>30; obesity) was associated with increased DNA damage in PBMCs. There was no indication for a threshold of a certain BMI for increased DNA damage. In conclusion, while 25 year-long stored buffy coat preparations may require adaptation of certain experimental parameters such as cell density and electrophoresis conditions, frozen PBMC biobank samples can be analyzed in the comet assay even after a decade of storage.

IntroductionThe only curative treatment for most gastric cancer is radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (LAD). Minimally invasive total gastrectomy (MIG) aims to reduce postoperative morbidity, but its use has not yet been widely established in Western countries. Minimally invasivE versus open total GAstrectomy is the first Western multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to compare postoperative morbidity following MIG vs open total gastrectomy (OG).Methods and analysisThis superiority multicentre RCT compares MIG (intervention) to OG (control) for oncological total gastrectomy with D2 or D2+LAD. Recruitment is expected to last for 2 years. Inclusion criteria comprise age between 18 and 84 years and planned total gastrectomy after initial diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. Exclusion criteria include Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status >2, tumours requiring extended gastrectomy or less than total gastrectomy, previous abdominal surgery or extensive adhesions seriously complicating MIG, other active oncological disease, advanced stages (T4 or M1), emergency setting and pregnancy.The sample size was calculated at 80 participants per group. The primary endpoint is 30-day postoperative morbidity as measured by the Comprehensive Complications Index. Secondary endpoints include postoperative morbidity and mortality, adherence to a fast-track protocol and patient-reported quality of life (QoL) scores (QoR-15, EUROQOL EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D), EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-STO22, activities of daily living and Body Image Scale). Oncological endpoints include rate of R0 resection, lymph node yield, disease-free survival and overall survival at 60-month follow-up.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been received by the independent Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg (S-816/2021) and will be received from each responsible ethics committee for each individual participating centre prior to recruitment. Results will be published open access.Trial registration numberDRKS00025765., publishedVersion

Zusammenfassung Derzeit ist die metabolische/bariatrische Chirurgie die einzige evidenzbasierte Therapie, die bei einem Großteil der morbid adipösen Patienten zu einer relevanten und nachhaltigen Gewichtsabnahme und Verbesserung der Adipositas-assoziierten Morbidität führt. Das historische Konzept, dass die dominanten zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen der bariatrischen/metabolischen Chirurgie eine Nahrungsrestriktion (durch Verkleinerung des Magens) und eine Malabsorption von Makronährstoffen (durch einen intestinalen Bypass der oralen Dünndarmabschnitte) sind, ist mittlerweile widerlegt.Grundlagenwissenschaftliche Studien konnten zeigen, dass der Darm als physiologische Schaltzentrale dient und nach anatomischer Umstellung, wie beispielsweise nach einer Magenbypass-Operation, veränderte neuronale und endokrine Signale an unterschiedliche Organsysteme aussendet.Es existiert eine robuste, spezies-übergreifende Datenlage, dass es nach metabolischer/bariatrischer Chirurgie zu einer nachhaltigen Veränderung des Mikrobioms kommt. Insgesamt ist eine erhöhte Vielfältigkeit der Bakterienstämme mit einer häufigen Reduktion von Firmicutes und Bacteroidetes und eine Erhöhung von Proteobakterien beschrieben. Dabei scheint die Veränderung des Mikrobioms Chirurgie- und Prozeduren-spezifisch und nicht Folge der erreichten Gewichtsabnahme zu sein. Die biologische Relevanz konnte mehrfach experimentell in konzeptionellen Beweisstudien (Mikrobiomtransfer) gezeigt werden. Experimentelle Daten legen nahe, dass die Zusammensetzung des Mikrobioms nicht nur durch die Operation selbst verändert wird und damit unterschiedliche Systeme (entero-endokrin, Darmbarriere, Konjugation von Gallensäuren) maßgeblich beeinflusst, sondern auch einen Einfluss auf den Wirkungsgrad der Operation selbst zu haben scheint. Trotzdem sind die verfügbaren Daten meist nur beschreibend und zeigen Assoziationen auf. Den Einfluss des veränderten Mikrobioms auf das gesamte Metabolom und vice versa ist bisher nur unzureichend verstanden und muss in weiterführenden Studien weiter untersucht werden.

Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) modifies various aspects of eating behavior in morbidly obese individuals to cause marked and lasting weight loss and improvements in metabolic health, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Objectives To assess the relative contributions of the gut hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine 3-36 (PYY3-36), whose circulating levels are enhanced by RYGB, in the reduced high-fat (HF) food preference that develops postoperatively. Setting University hospital, Wurzburg, Germany. Methods HF diet–induced obese male Wistar rats underwent RYGB (n = 11) or sham (n = 7) surgeries and were subsequently maintained on a choice of low-fat (10% calories from fat) and HF (60% calories from fat) diets. From postoperative weeks 4 to 6, acute feeding studies were performed in which the selective GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin-9 (30 μg/kg), the second-generation selective Y2 receptor antagonist JNJ-31020028 (10 mg/kg), or a combination of both drugs was administered intraperitoneally. Results During the observational period weight, adiposity and total food intake were lower while postprandial plasma GLP-1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine levels were higher for RYGB-operated compared with sham-operated rats. There was a gradual shift in preference from HF to low-fat food in RYGB-operated rats by postoperative week 3. Single antagonist treatments had a relatively modest impact on HF food preference in rats from both surgical groups. However, dual antagonist treatment caused a striking increase in HF food preference specifically in RYGB-operated rats. Conclusions GLP-1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine 3-36 reduce HF food preference additively after RYGB supporting the use of gut hormone combination strategies for healthier feeding behavior.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Digitale Inhalte im Internet sind zu einer wichtigen Lernressource für Studierende geworden. E-Learning kann einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten bei der Unterstützung von Lernprozessen. Gleichzeitig können Lehrangebote im Internet eine größere Zielgruppe erreichen als klassische Lehrformate. Methoden Als Ergänzung des Lehrangebots der chirurgischen Universitätsklinik Würzburg wurde eine frei zugängliche E-Learning-Plattform etabliert, die den gesamten Themenbereich der Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie abbildet und die Themen multimedial aufbereitet interaktiv präsentiert. Ergebnisse Im Zeitraum von Februar 2010 bis April 2018 wurden auf den verschiedenen Seiten des E-Learnings kumulativ 1 444 806 Seitenaufrufe verzeichnet von insgesamt 350 212 Nutzern. 24,04% der Nutzer griffen mit mobilen Endgeräten oder Tablets auf die Seiten zu. Schlussfolgerung Mithilfe frei verfügbarer Open-Source-Software ist es möglich, ein modernes E-Learning-Angebot zu realisieren. Der Verzicht auf proprietäre Standards, die Berücksichtigung der Plattformunabhängigkeit sowie der Verzicht auf jegliche Zugangsbeschränkung helfen, die Reichweite des Angebots weit über die eigene Fakultät hinaus zu erhöhen. Bei zukünftigen Weiterentwicklungen wird die stärkere Personalisierung des Angebots zu berücksichtigen sein, auch um Effekte auf den Lernerfolg besser bewerten zu können.

Robotic-assisted colon surgery may contain advantages over the laparoscopic approach, but clear evidence is sparse. This study aimed to analyze postoperative inflammation status, short-term outcome and cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. All consecutive patients who received minimal-invasive left hemicolectomy at the Department of Surgery I at the University Hospital of Wuerzburg in 2021 were prospectively included. Importantly, no patient selection for either procedure was carried out. The robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic approaches were compared head to head for postoperative short-term outcomes as well as cost-effectiveness. A total of 61 patients were included, with 26 patients having received a robotic-assisted approach. Baseline characteristics did not differ among the groups. Patients receiving a robotic-assisted approach had a significantly decreased length of hospital stay as well as lower rates of complications in comparison to patients who received laparoscopic surgery (n = 35). In addition, C-reactive protein as a marker of systemic stress response was significantly reduced postoperatively in patients who were operated on in a robotic-assisted manner. Consequently, robotic-assisted surgery could be performed in a cost-effective manner. Thus, robotic-assisted left hemicolectomy represents a safe and cost-effective procedure and might improve patient outcomes in comparison to laparoscopic surgery.

ImportanceIndividuals with severe obesity presenting for obesity surgery (OS) frequently show nonnormative eating behaviors (NEBs) and eating disorders (EDs), but the long-term course and prospective associations with weight loss and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remain unclear.ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence and prospective relevance of presurgical and postsurgical NEBs and EDs according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, diagnosed through clinical interview, for weight loss and HRQOL up to 6 years following OS.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn the prospective, multicenter Psychosocial Registry for Obesity Surgery cohort study, patients seeking OS were recruited at 6 OS centers in Germany and assessed at baseline before surgery and at 6 months and 1 to 6 years after surgery. From a consecutive sample of 1040 volunteers with planned OS from March 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020, a total of 748 (71.92%) were included in this study. Across follow-up, 93 of the 748 patients (12.43%) dropped out. Data were analyzed from April to November 2021.InterventionsLaparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresBoth NEBs and EDs were identified using the Eating Disorder Examination interview. Main outcomes were the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) and HRQOL (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite; range, 0-100, with 0 indicating worst and 100 indicating best).ResultsIn 748 patients undergoing OS (mean [SD] age, 46.26 [11.44] years; mean [SD] body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 48.38 [8.09]; 513 [68.58%] female), the mean (SD) %TBWL was 26.70% (9.61%), and the mean (SD) HRQOL improvement was 35.41 (20.63) percentage points across follow-up. Both NEBs and EDs were common before surgery, with postsurgical improvements of varying degrees. Whereas NEBs and EDs did not reveal significant prospective associations with %TBWL, loss-of-control eating at follow-up was concurrently associated with lower %TBWL (estimate, −0.09; 95% CI, −0.14 to −0.04). Loss-of-control eating (estimate, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.17 to −0.03 percentage points) and binge-eating disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration (estimate, −6.51; 95% CI, −12.69 to −0.34 percentage points) at follow-up showed significant prospective associations with lower HRQOL.Conclusions and RelevanceThis cohort study found prospective relevance of loss-of-control eating and binge-eating disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration for reduced long-term HRQOL following OS. These findings underline the importance of monitoring both NEBs, especially loss-of-control eating, and EDs in the long term postsurgically to identify patients in need of targeted prevention or psychotherapy.

Mechanisms of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate weight loss-independent bacterial and metabolic changes, as well as the absorption of bacterial metabolites and bile acids through the hepatic portal system following RYGB surgery. Three groups of obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats were included: RYGB (n = 11), sham surgery and body weight matched with RYGB (Sham-BWM, n = 5), and sham surgery fed ad libitum (Sham-obese, n = 5). Urine and feces were collected at multiple time points, with portal vein and peripheral blood obtained at the end of the study. Metabolic phenotyping approaches and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to determine the biochemical and bacterial composition of the samples, respectively. RYGB surgery-induced distinct metabolic and bacterial disturbances, which were independent of weight loss through caloric restriction. RYGB resulted in lower absorption of phenylalanine and choline, and higher urinary concentrations of host-bacterial co-metabolites (e.g., phenylacetylglycine, indoxyl sulfate), together with higher fecal trimethylamine, suggesting enhanced bacterial aromatic amino acid and choline metabolism. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were lower in feces and portal vein blood from RYGB group compared to Sham-BWM, accompanied with lower abundances of Lactobacillaceae, and Ruminococcaceae known to contain SCFA producers, indicating reduced bacterial fiber fermentation. Fecal γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) was found in higher concentrations in RYGB than that in Sham groups and could play a role in the metabolic benefits associated with RYGB surgery. While no significant difference in urinary BA excretion, RYGB lowered both portal vein and circulating BA compared to Sham groups. These findings provide a valuable resource for how dynamic, multi-systems changes impact on overall metabolic health, and may provide potential therapeutic targets for developing downstream non-surgical treatment for metabolic disease.