Caloric intake capacity as measured by a standard nutrient drink test helps to predict weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Background: Instruments that enable to select individuals that will benefit most from bariatric surgery (BS) are necessary to increase its cost-efficiency. Our goal was to assess if intake capacity, measured with a standardized test, predicts response to BS.

Methods: Patients with criteria for BS were randomly allocated to laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Intra-abdominal pressure as a marker of severity in acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is one of the main causes of intra-abdominal hypertension, which may lead to multiple physiologic alterations. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between acute pancreatitis and intra-abdominal hypertension, and to evaluate the utility of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) as a marker of severity in acute pancreatitis.

Methods: From July 2002 to July 2004, 45 patients admitted for acute pancreatitis were included in this prospective, observational study.