Revisional Surgery After 925 OAGB[One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass] Operations Retrospective Cohort Study of the UK MGB/OAGB Collaborative Group.

Overview

Background: One anastomosis Gastric Bypass/Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB/MGB) is a new operation that provides comparable outcomes to the common bariatric procedures. Revisional surgery is still needed after a number of OAGB/MGB procedures. The aim of this study is to report the causes and management of these revisions. Methods: From 2010 -2018, 925 OAGB/MGB operations were performed at 7 bariatric units across the United Kingdom and included in this retrospective cohort study. The data was retrospectively collected and analysed. The primary end point was identification of the causes and management of revisions. Follow up ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Results: Twenty-two patients (2.3%) required revisional surgery after OAGB/MGB. Five patients (0.5%) developed severe diarrhoea managed by shortening the bilio-pancreatic limb (BPL) to 150cm. Four patients (0.4%) developed afferent loop syndrome and bile reflux was reported in another 3 (0.3%) cases; all were managed by either conversion to Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) or a Braun anastomosis. Postoperative bleeding was controlled laparoscopically in 3 patients (0.3%). Liver decompensation was reported in 2 patients (0.2%) was treated by shortening the BPL in one patient and a reversal to normal anatomy in another. The liver failure resolved in both patients. Other indications for revision included two gastro-jejunal stenosis (0.2%), one perforated ulcer (0.1%), one patient (0.1%) with excessive weight loss and one case (0.1%) of protein malnutrition. None of the 22 patients undergoing revisional surgery after OAGB/MBG died. Lost to follow up rate was 0.2%. Conclusion: Complications requiring revisional surgery after OAGB/MGB are uncommon (2.3%) and the majority can be managed by bilio-pancreatic limb shortening, the addition of a Braun side-to-side anastomosis or conversion to RYGB. Bilio-pancreatic limb length of 200 cm or more resulted in serious complications of liver failure, protein malnutrition, excessive weight loss and diarrhoea.

The UK OAGB/MGB collaborative group of 12 consultant bariatric surgeons was founded in 2017 and the data of 925 OAGB/MGB procedures were retrospectively collected and analysed in this cohort study. The treatment pathway is the SAME at each NHS centre. The indications for referral, consultations, and follow up after surgery are similar. This is agreed bariatric practice governed by British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society's \[BOMSS\] guidance. The patients' age, BMI, presence of T2DM, comorbidities, Gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia, Barrett's oesophagus, family history of upper gastro-intestinal cancer, and the patient choice were the main factors to influence the decision to the procedure type. Each centre is offering Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), MGB/OAGB and Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB). The allocation of the procedure is finalised after mutual agreement between the patient and the surgeon taking in consideration the above factors and patient's choice. The data was retrospectively collected by the surgical team at each institution and sent to the lead of the collaborative group. The follow up is conducted by clinical visits, blood tests and radiology \[ultrasound, computed tomography \] when needed. The procedures were performed between September 2010 and May 2018. A long gastric pouch of average 15cm was constructed over a 34-36F bougie using laparoscopic staplers. The start point of stapling is at the crow's foot. The omentum was only divided in selected cases such as male patients with a very high Body Mass Index (BMI). After identifying the duodeno-jejunal junction, a BPL ranging from 150-300 cm was measured. The end-side /side-side gastro-jejunostomy was made using a combined hand-sewn /stapled technique. Use of drains and closure of Petersen's space varied between different surgeons. The patients were discharged after 2-3 nights. The follow up was ranged from 6 months to 3 years. In the UK the NHS and private practice are following National Institute of Clinical Excellence \[NICE\] guidelines in management and post operative follow up. Thus there is very strict follow up for two years after the operation. The patients are seen two weeks after the primary surgery at which clinical examination, dietary assessment and baseline post operative blood test is performed. Then the patients are seen one month after that, then 3 monthly period for the initial year, and 6 monthly for the last year. During all these visits, clinical, dietary and routine biochemical assessments were conducted. For patients who developed complications, a different and longer pathway of follow up is adopted until they recover and then, discharged to their general practitioners (GPs). The paper was written to comply with STROCSS guidelines (www.strocssguideline.com).