Characteristics of bariatric surgery in an integrated VA Health Care System: follow-up and outcomes.

Background: Since the 1991 NIH consensus conference, obesity surgery has been increasingly accepted as a form of therapy for morbid obesity. Approximately 40% of Veteran patients are obese and would potentially benefit from the operations.

Methods: Records were reviewed for all obesity operations performed at the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Health Care System between January 1997 and April 2002.

Fibrin glue as a sealant for high-risk anastomosis in surgery for morbid obesity.

Background: Fibrin sealants promote hemostasis and wound healing. Complex revisional surgery is performed for morbid obesity, and high-risk patients undergo weight loss surgery routinely. Fibrin sealant, Tisseel, was used by one surgeon on 120 consecutive patients at the gastrojejunal anastomosis in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP).

The use of the carbon dioxide laser beam in the surgery of pressure sores.

The use of CO2 Laser in surgery for decubitus ulcers was assessed in 139 spinal cord injury patients. This technique is valuable for debridement and or excision of the ulcers as well as repair. It accomplishes hemostasis and wound sterility.