Functional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (F-RYGB), with Preservation of Duodenal Access: Report of Two Revisional Cases of Sleeve Gastrectomy

Objective: This case report aimed to demonstrate a possible neuromuscular effect of Latarjet nerves transection or truncal vagotomy, in association with sleeve gastrectomy plus antrojejunostomy, in order to reproduce a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) mechanistic principles, in patients with previous Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) who had had weight regain, with or without concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric operations worldwide. Nevertheless, weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been consistently demonstrated, in association with this technique, which may require a revisional procedure. RYGB is an option in such a situation but, implies in gastrointestinal exclusions, which represents a shortcoming of this revision. Surpassing this inconvenient would be of great value for the patients. Methods: We describe herein two cases of SG revision for weight regain and GERD, with a follow-up of one year. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was evaluated by validated questionnaire, upper endoscopy, seriography, high resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance pHmetry (I-pHmetry), in the pre and postoperative periods. A re-Sleeve Gastrectomy with antrojejunal anastomosis was done in both cases, after informed consents. The Latarjet nerves were transected in one case, due to a bleeding in the left gastric vessels and a truncal vagotomy was required in the other, to appropriately treat an associated hiatal hernia. Results: In the postoperative evaluation it was observed a pyloric spasm in both cases, during seriography and endoscopy, kept until the one-year follow-up. There was unidirectional contrast flow to the gastrointestinal anastomosis, filling the jejunal limb, in radiologic contrast study. No contrast passed through the pylorus. Nonetheless, the duodenum was kept endoscopically accessible. In the one-year evaluation, weight loss was adequate and GERD resolution was obtained in both cases, confirmed by endoscopic and functional esophageal assessment, together with symptoms questionnaire. Conclusion: The association of Latarjet nerves sectioning or truncal vagotomy with re-sleeve gastrectomy plus gastrointestinal anastomosis (antrojejunal), in a revision for a failed sleeve, can represent a technical approach, to reproduce RYGB results, without exclusions and with duodenum endoscopic accessibility maintenance. It maybe could be applied for primary surgeries. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Sleeve Gastrectomy with Duodenal Transit Bipartition (S-DTB): Preliminary Results and Technical Aspects of Its Metabolic Structure

Obesity is a significant and escalating health issue both in Brazil and globally, with over 650 million overweight adults worldwide. The treatment of obesity can be performed clinically, endoscopically or surgically;surgical treatment proves to be safe and more effective in terms of weight loss and long-term maintenance. Objective: This study aimed to monitor the progress of weight loss and comorbidity control in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal bipartition. Methods: This pilot project involved 8 patients divided into 2 arms. In the first arm, patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y duodenoileal transit bipartition (S-RYDITB), while in the second arm, patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y duodenojejunal transit bipartition (S-RYDJTB). Both procedures involved Roux-en-Y reconstruction without duodenal exclusion. In S-RYDITB, the duodenal-ileal anastomosis was performed 300 cm from the ileocecal valve (ICV), creating a 250 cm common channel and a 50 cm alimentary channel. In S-RYDJTB, a biliopancreatic loop was created 200 cm from the angle of Treitz, with a 1 m alimentary channel. Results: Five patients underwent the procedures, with one undergoing S-RYDITB and four undergoing S-RYDJTB. No adverse events such as hospitalizations, readmissions, reoperations, fistulas, bleeding, pulmonary embolism, diarrhea, dumping syndrome, or hypoglycemia occurred during the study period. The mean length of hospital stay was 2 days. The average BMI decreased from 37.27 kg/m2 preoperatively to 29.48 kg/m2 after 6 months. The significant percentage of weight loss was 21.22%, with excess weight loss of 63.6%. Ninety-five percent remission of comorbidities, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, hypertension, steatosis, and pre-diabetes. Two patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal bipartition using a single anastomosis. Conclusion: Duodenal switch surgery has gained worldwide recognition for its safety and efficacy in treating obesity and its associated comorbidities. In efforts to maintain the positive outcomes of the classic technique while minimizing adverse effects such as malnutrition and diarrhea, modifications to the original procedure have been proposed. Among these adaptations, Sleeve gastrectomy with bipartition of duodenal transit (S-DTB) emerges as a promising variant, offering alternative strategies to optimize patients’ nutritional safety while preserving endoscopic access to the duodenum. Initial results of S-DTB, whether performed in Roux-en-Y or single anastomosis (loop) configuration without intestinal exclusions, demonstrate the procedure’s safety and effectiveness in managing obesity and its comorbidities.