Weight regain after intragastric balloon for pre-surgical weight loss

BACKGROUND Over one-third of Americans carry the diagnosis of obesity,many also with obesity-related comorbidities.This can place patients at increased risk of operative and postoperative complications.The intragastric balloon has been shown to aid in minor weight loss,however its weight recidivism in patients requiring short interval weight loss has not been well studied.AIM To evaluate weight loss,ability to undergo successful elective surgery after intragastric balloon placement,and weight management after balloon removal.METHODS This study is a retrospective review of patients in a single academic institution undergoing intragastric balloon placement from 2019-2023 to aid in weight loss prior to undergoing elective surgery.Clinical outcomes including weight loss,duration of balloon placement,successful elective surgery,weight regain postballoon and post-procedure complications were assessed.Exclusion criteria included those with balloon in place at time of study.RESULTS Thirty-three patients completed intragastric balloon therapy from 2019-2023 as a bridge to elective surgery.All patients were required to participate in a 12-month weight management program to be eligible for balloon therapy.Elective surgeries included incisional hernia repair,umbilical hernia repair,inguinal hernia repair,and knee and hip replacements.The average age at placement was 53 years±11 years,majority(91%)were male.The average duration of intragastric balloon therapy was 186 days±41 days.The average weight loss was 14.0 kg±7.4 kg and with an average percent excess body weight loss of 30.0%(7.9%-73.6%).Over half of the patients(52.0%)achieved the goal of 30-50 lbs(14-22 kg)weight loss.Twenty-one patients(64%)underwent their intended elective surgery,2 patients(6%)deferred surgery due to symptom relief with weight loss alone.Twenty-one of the patients(64%)have documented weights in 3 months after balloon removal,in these patients the majority(76%)gained weight after balloon removed.In patients with weight regain at 3 months,they averaged 5.8 kg after balloon removal in the first 3 months,this averaged 58.4%weight regain of the initial weight lost.CONCLUSION Intragastric balloon placement is an option for short-term weight management,as a bridge to elective surgery in patients with body mass index(BMI)>35.Patients lost an average of 14 kg with the balloon,allowing two-thirds of patients to undergo elective surgery at a healthy BMI.However,most patients regained an average of 58%of the original weight lost after balloon removal.The intragastric balloon successfully serves as a tool for rapid weight loss,though patients must be educated on the risks including weight regain.

Skin grafting the vascular pedicle: a useful technique to avoid microvascular collapse in free tissue transfer for limb salvage

Aim:Free tissue transfer is essential for extremity reconstruction following traumatic injuries,oncologic resection,and diabetic complications.However,given the circumferential shape of the arm and leg,a small amount of ongoing edema can prevent a tension-free closure.Additionally,intraoperative thrombosis,vascular disease can lead to proximal exposure of the pedicle or vein grafts.This study evaluates the outcomes of microvascular transfers that utilized a skin graft for closure over the pedicle,in comparison with a matched cohort with a tension-free primary closure.Methods:A retrospective review was completed of all patients that underwent free flap reconstruction of an extremity defect from January 2014 to December 2017 at a single academic institution.Flaps that utilized skin grafting for closure were compared to those closed primarily.Adjunct operative procedures,demographics,and complications were evaluated.Results:A total of 71 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria.The 11 flaps in 10 patients underwent skin grafting over the pedicle.The two cohorts were comparable in age,gender,BMI,and co-morbidities,excluding renal disease which was present in 40%(n=4)of skin grafted group compared to 6.5%(n=4)in the primary closure group.Flap area,operative time,and anastomosis technique were comparable between the two groups.There was no significant difference in the rates of post-operative complications including partial flap loss,complete flap loss,infection.Mean follow up time in the skin grafting group was 14.2 months and 20.2 months for the primary closure group. ;Conclusion:As per the principal,a tension-free closure is paramount to preventing tissue complications including direct compression of a microvascular pedicle.However,with ongoing tissue edema skin grafting should be considered as a reliable technique to ensure both protection of the pedicle as well as prevention of direct compression without additional complications and comparable post-operative outcomes.