The impact of obesity on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for high-risk abdominal emergencies

Background Obesity has been shown to increase the rates of morbidity and occasionally mortality in patients undergoing nonbariatric elective surgery. However, little is known about the impact of obesity on outcomes after surgery for high-risk abdominal emergencies. Methods A single-center retrospective evaluation of outcomes in high-risk abdominal emergency patients categorized by body mass index (BMI) was conducted. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and operative details were analyzed. Patients with normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) served as comparators. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of obesity on surgical outcomes. Results In total, 886 patients with BMI < 18.5 (underweight; n = 50), 18.5–24.9 (normal weight; n = 306), 25–29.9 (overweight; n = 336) and ≥ 30 (obese; n = 194) based on the World Health Organization (WHO) weight classification criteria met the inclusion criteria. Compared to normal-weight patients, patients with overweight and obesity were older and more likely to be male. The rates of comorbidity (100% vs 91.2%, p = < 0.0001), morbidity (77.8% vs 65.6%, p = 0.003), and in-hospital mortality (44.8% vs 30.4%, p = 0.001) were all higher in patients with obesity than in normal-weight patients. Patients with obesity had an increased intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) (13 days vs 9 days, p = 0.019) and hospital LOS (21.4 days vs 18.1 days, p = 0.081) and prolonged ventilation (39.1% vs 19.6%, p = 0.003). As BMI deviated from the normal range, the morbidity and mortality rates increased incrementally, with the highest morbidity (87.9%) and mortality (54.5%) rates observed in morbidly obese patients (BMI ≥ 40). Conclusions Patients with obesity were the most likely to have coexisting conditions, experience postoperative complications, and die during the first admission following EL for high-risk abdominal emergencies.

Afamin Levels and Their Correlation with Oxidative and Lipid Parameters in Non-diabetic, Obese Patients

Background: Afamin is a liver-produced bioactive protein and features α- and γ-tocopherol binding sites. Afamin levels are elevated in metabolic syndrome and obesity and correlate well with components of metabolic syndrome. Afamin concentrations, correlations between afamin and vitamin E, afamin and lipoprotein subfractions in non-diabetic, obese patients have not been fully examined. Methods: Fifty non-diabetic, morbidly obese patients and thirty-two healthy, normal-weight individuals were involved in our study. The afamin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Lipoprotein subfractions were determined with gel electrophoresis. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to measure α- and γ tocopherol levels. Results: Afamin concentrations were significantly higher in the obese patients compared to the healthy control (70.4 ± 12.8 vs. 47.6 ± 8.5 μg/mL, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between afamin and fasting glucose, HbA1c, hsCRP, triglyceride, and oxidized LDL level, as well as the amount and ratio of small HDL subfractions. Negative correlations were observed between afamin and mean LDL size, as well as the amount and ratio of large HDL subfractions. After multiple regression analysis, HbA1c levels and small HDL turned out to be independent predictors of afamin. Conclusions: Afamin may be involved in the development of obesity-related oxidative stress via the development of insulin resistance and not by affecting α- and γ-tocopherol levels.

Plasma sgp130 is an independent predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a metabolic disease associated with liver failure and cancer. Accurate monitoring of advancing NASH is challenging. There are few reliable, non-invasive biomarkers of early NASH. Since liver inflammation is a main driver of fibrosis, we investigated relationships between circulating components of the interleukin-6 signaling pathway (IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130) and liver pathology in subjects with NAFLD and NASH. Methods: Predictive performance of plasma IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 were investigated in two independent cohorts: 1) patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH (n=49), where magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), imaging (MRI) and elastography (MRE) assessed liver fat, volume and stiffness; and 2) patients with morbid obesity (n=245) undergoing bariatric surgery where Bedossa algorithm and steatosis, activity, and fibrosis scores assessed NASH severity. Correlations were evaluated between circulating IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 and anthropomorphic characteristics, plasma markers of metabolic disease or liver pathology, adjusting for covariates of liver disease such as age, sex, BMI and diabetes. Results: In patients with NASH, plasma IL-6 and sgp130 strongly correlated with liver stiffness, which for sgp130, was independent of age, sex, BMI, and chronic disease (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension or history of HCC). Plasma sgp130 was the strongest predictor of liver stiffness compared to commonly used biomarkers and predictive algorithms. Plasma sIL-6R correlated with liver volume independent of age, sex, and BMI. In stepwise forward regression analysis, plasma sgp130 followed by NAFLD fibrosis score and plasma globulin, predicted up to 74% of liver stiffness with/without adjustment for sex. In morbidly obese subjects, circulating IL-6 correlated with hepatocellular ballooning and sgp130 correlated with advanced liver fibrosis. Conclusions: Circulating sgp130 could represent a robust biomarker of active NASH and may be used alone or in combination with other biomarkers as a non-invasive measure of liver disease severity.

Low Pressure Low Frequency Jet Ventilation: Techniques, Safety and Complications

Objective: Manual jet ventilation is a specialized oxygenation and ventilation technique that is not available in all facilities due to lack of technical familiarity and fear of complications. The objective is to review our center’s 15 year experience with low pressure low frequency jet ventilation (LPLFJV). Methods: Retrospective review of procedures utilizing LPLFJV from 2005 to 2019 were performed collecting patient demographic, surgery type and complications. Fisher exact test, Chi square, and t-test were used to determine statistical significance. Results: Four hundred fifty-seven patients underwent a total of 891 microlaryngeal surgeries—279 cases for voice disorders, 179 for lesions, and 433 for airway stenosis. The peak jet pressure for all cases did not exceed 20 psi and average peak pressure for the last 100 procedures in this case series was 14.9 ± 4.6 psi. The average lowest oxygen saturation for all cases was 95% ± 0.6%. Brief intubation was required in 154 cases (17%). Surgical duration was significantly longer for cases requiring intubation P < .001. The need for intubation was not associated with smoking or cardiopulmonary disease, but was strongly associated with body mass index (BMI). Intubation rates were 7% for normal weight (BMI < 25, N = 216), 13% for overweight (BMI 25-30, N = 282), 24% for obese (BMI 30-40, N = 342), and 37% for morbidly obese (BMI > 40, N = 52) patients. Three patients developed respiratory distress in the recovery unit and 2 patients required intubation. Conclusion: LPLFJV assisted by intermittent endotracheal intubation is an exceedingly safe and effective intraoperative oxygenation and ventilationmodality for a broad variety of laryngeal procedure.

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Versus Long Biliopancreatic Limb Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most effective bariatric procedures. The study aimed to explore the value of lengthening the biliopancreatic limb (BPL) in RYGB compared to the outcome of one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). Methods This prospective study included morbidly obese patients divided into two groups. The RYGB group (n = 36) was subjected to long biliary limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LPRYGB), and the OAGB Group (n = 36) had one anastomosis gastric bypass. During follow-up, weight, BMI, percentage of excess body weight loss (%EBWL), resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated. Results There was no significant difference in weight and BMI after 3 and 6 months. At 12-month follow-up, weight loss was significantly higher in the OAGB group. After 12 months, the two groups showed significant improvement of comorbid conditions without significant difference between the two groups. The Qol was significantly higher in the LPRYGB group 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery compared to the OAGB group. Conclusions Extending the BPL length in RYGB to 150 cm is as effective as OAGB in remission of comorbidities, including diabetes. It was also equally effective in weight reduction in the short term. OAGB was more efficient in weight reduction and a significantly faster operation. LPRYGB showed a better QoL of life 1 year after surgery. Graphical abstract

Covid-19 Pneumonia with Acute Pulmonary Embolism in a Morbidly Obese Patient; At Home Dramatic Reversal Management

Rationale: A novel COVID-19 with the severe acute respiratory syndrome had arisen in Wuhan, China in December 2019 Thromboembolism is a critical clinical entity commonly recognized sequel in COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, the presentation of COVID-19 infection with thromboembolism has a risk impact on both morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Morbid obesity may add over significant risk value in the presence of COVID-19 pneumonia with thromboembolism. Patient concerns: Middle-aged housewife female COVID-19 morbid obese patient presented to physician outpatient clinic with unilateral pneumonia suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Diagnosis: COVID-19 pneumonia with acute pulmonary embolism in morbid obesity. Interventions: CT pulmonary angiography, non- contrasted chest CT scan, electrocardiography, and oxygenation. Outcomes: Dramatic of both clinical and radiological improvement had happened. Lessons: The combination of morbid obesity, QTc prolongation with COVID-19 infection is an indicator of the over-risk of thromboembolism. It signifies the role of anticoagulants, antiplatelet, anti-infective drugs, and steroids in COVID-19 patients with unilateral pneumonia and acute pulmonary embolism in morbid obesity are effective therapies. An increasing the dose of both low-molecular heparin and oral anticoagulant with a morbidly obese patient was reasonable.

Total hip arthroplasty through the direct anterior approach in morbidly obese patients

Aims There is evidence that morbidly obese patients have more intra- and postoperative complications and poorer outcomes when undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the direct anterior approach (DAA). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of DAA for THA, and compare the complications and outcomes of morbidly obese patients with nonobese patients. Methods Morbidly obese patients (n = 86), with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 who underwent DAA THA at our institution between September 2010 and December 2017, were matched to 172 patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2. Data regarding demographics, set-up and operating time, blood loss, radiological assessment, Harris Hip Score (HHS), International Hip Outcome Tool (12-items), reoperation rate, and complications at two years postoperatively were retrospectively analyzed. Results No significant differences in blood loss, intra- and postoperative complications, or implant position were observed between the two groups. Superficial wound infection rate was higher in the obese group (8.1%) compared to the nonobese group (1.2%) (p = 0.007) and relative risk of reoperation was 2.59 (95% confidence interval 0.68 to 9.91). One periprosthetic joint infection was reported in the obese group. Set-up time in the operating table and mean operating time were higher in morbidly obese patients. Functional outcomes and patient-related outcome measurements were superior in the obese group (mean increase of HHS was 52.19 (SD 5.95) vs 45.1 (SD 4.42); p < 0.001), and mean increase of International Hip Outcome Tool (12-items) was 56.8 (SD 8.88) versus 55.2 (SD 5.85); p = 0.041). Conclusion Our results suggest that THA in morbidly obese patients can be safely and effectively performed via the DAA by experienced surgeons. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):4–11.