One-Year Outcomes in a Supervised Program of Swallowable Intragastric Balloon-Analysis of 486 Patients in a High-Volume Bariatric Centre in Malaysia.

Introduction: The swallowable intragastric balloon (IGB) has recently emerged as a popular alternative for weight loss in Malaysia. It can reduce total body weight loss (TBWL) by 6-15%. We aim to observe positive weight loss up to a year after the swallowable IGB is implanted.

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation of acupuncture points improves tolerance in adults undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) is the most common diagnostic procedure for upper gastrointestinal diseases. It often causes discomfort and anxiety, which are only mitigated by systemic sedation. However, sedation poses additional risks of adverse cardiopulmonary events, increased medical costs, and prolonged recovery.

Comparative evaluation of early diabetic outcomes in southeast asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an alarming problem globally and a growing epidemic. Metabolic surgery has been shown to be successful in treating both obesity and T2DM, usually after other treatments have failed. This study aims to compare Roux-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy in determining early diabetic outcomes in obese Malaysian patients with T2DM following surgery.

The Impact of Laparoscopic Intraperitoneal Instillation of Ropivacaine in Enhancing Respiratory Recovery and Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Double-Blinded Randomised Control; RELiEVE Trial.

Purpose: Laparoscopic intraperitoneal instillation of local anaesthetic in bariatric surgery proven to reduce postoperative pain. Limited data are available regarding the use of instillation ropivacaine and its impact on the recovery of respiratory effort. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine in reducing acute postoperative pain and enhancing the recovery of respiratory effort in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Improvement in Erectile Dysfunction Among Male Obese Patient, Following Bariatric Surgery in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HUKM).

Purpose: Obesity is associated with multiple health-related complications and affects various aspects of life, including erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study is to postulate that erectile dysfunction in male obese patients can be reversed following bariatric surgery.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a non-randomized quasi-experimental study (prospective) between 2 groups, those who underwent surgery with the control group.

The Roles of Immune Cells in Gastric Cancer: Anti-Cancer or Pro-Cancer?

Despite the fact that the incidence of gastric cancer has declined over the last decade, it is still the world's leading cause of cancer-related death. The diagnosis of early gastric cancer is difficult, as symptoms of this cancer only manifest at a late stage of cancer progression. Thus, the prognosis of gastric cancer is poor, and the current treatment for improving patients' outcomes involves the application of surgery and chemotherapy.

New insight on the role of Helicobacter pylori cagA in the expression of cell surface antigens with important biological functions in gastric carcinogenesis.

Background: Expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens changes according to disease status and inflammation. Profiles of CD antigens expression in gastric cancer patients are different based on the status of H. pylori infection.

Ten Years of Change in Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery in the Asia-Pacific Region with COVID-19 Pandemic: IFSO-APC National Reports 2021.

Background: On November 25, 2021, the IFSO-Asia-Pacific Chapter (IFSO-APC) Virtual Meeting 2021 was held online, and the representatives from the Asia-Pacific region presented 10 years of change in bariatric/metabolic surgery and the influence of COVID-19 in the special session of "IFSO-APC National Reports 2010-2020". We herein report the summarized data.

Methods: National bariatric/metabolic surgery data, which included the data of 2010 and 2020, were collected from the representatives using a questionnaire that consisted of 10 general questions.

Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology consensus statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

The Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology saw the need for a consensus statement on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The consensus panel consisted of experts in the field of gastroenterology/hepatology, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, family medicine, and public health. A modified Delphi process was used to prepare the consensus statements.

Fabrication of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Based Self-Assembled Scaffold under Hypoxia and Mechanical Stimulation for Urethral Tissue Engineering.

Long urethral strictures are often treated with autologous genital skin and buccal mucosa grafts; however, risk of hair ingrowth and donor site morbidity, restrict their application. To overcome this, we introduced a tissue-engineered human urethra comprising adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based self-assembled scaffold, human urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ASCs were cultured with ascorbic acid to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production.

Extensive peritoneal lavage with saline after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer (EXPEL): a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: Peritoneal recurrence of gastric cancer after curative surgical resection is common and portends a poor prognosis. Early studies suggest that extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) might reduce the risk of peritoneal recurrence and improve survival. We aimed to evaluate the survival benefit of EIPL in patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative gastrectomy.

Epidemiology and role of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors in gastric cancer carcinogenesis.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is associated with the development of gastric cancer. Although the prevalence of gastric cancer has declined throughout years due to improvement in early screening strategy, mortality due to gastric cancer has not changed. Incidence and mortality due to gastric cancer are higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries.

Reduction in Urinary Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 2 (CCL2) After Surgery-Induced Weight Loss.

Kidney dysfunction, a deleterious effect of obesity, is now recognized as a relevant health risk. Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 2 (CCL2) is one of the critical chemokines that play a vital role in the development of obesity-related metabolic disease. We aim to measure the changes in urinary CCL2 in our patients before and after their bariatric procedure and examine the correlation between CCL2 and renal function.

Overview of Urethral Reconstruction by Tissue Engineering: Current Strategies, Clinical Status and Future Direction.

Background: Urinary tract is subjected to a variety of disorders such as urethral stricture, which often develops as a result of scarring process. Urethral stricture can be treated by urethral dilation and urethrotomy; but in cases of long urethral strictures, substitution urethroplasty with genital skin and buccal mucosa grafts is the only option. However a number of complications such as infection as a result of hair growth in neo-urethra, and stone formation restrict the application of those grafts.

Influence of Asian Ethnicities on Short- and Mid-term Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Purpose: Prevalence of obesity in Asia has been on the increasing trend, with corresponding increase in utilisation of bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to examine differences in weight loss outcomes following bariatric surgery between Asian ethnicities.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective database review was conducted of patients undergoing primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between 2009 and 2013 in 14 centres from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Switzerland, and the USA.

Resolution of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) Among the Obese Multiethnic Malaysian Women Now a Reality with Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Pilot Study in Malaysia.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among the obese women is often under diagnosed and ignored especially in Malaysia, a nation of conservative multiethnic society. There are only a few studies on FSD resolution post-bariatric surgery. The objective was to identify the rate and resolution or improvement of FSD, among obese multiethnic Malaysian women post-bariatric surgery.

Early outcome of bariatric surgery for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in super-obese Malaysian population.

Introduction: Despite many challenges, the benefit of bariatric surgery in super-obese population remains irrefutable with significant improvement in metabolic syndrome and quality of life. There are currently no published data from Malaysia on this topic.

Objective And Methodology: A single-centre retrospective study aimed at analysing the outcome of laparoscopic bariatric surgery on super-obese Malaysians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at 12 months following surgery.

Eating Behaviour Predicts Weight Loss Six Months after Bariatric Surgery: A Longitudinal Study.

Bariatric surgery is currently the most durable weight loss solution for patients with morbid obesity. The extent of weight loss achieved, however, is subject to variation due to various factors, including patients' behaviour. In this study, we aimed to identify pre- and post-surgical predictors of weight loss following bariatric surgery.

History and Progress of Bariatric Surgery in Malaysia.

Bariatric surgery has become a popular treatment modality for obesity in Malaysia. However, the absence of a standardized national registry has led to paucity of information pertaining to quantity and quality of bariatric surgery in Malaysia. In the absence of a national registry, a nationwide survey was conducted with the aim of establishing a fair estimate of case volume based on type of procedure and to identify the total number of surgeons performing those procedures at their respective centers from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2016.

Distribution of gastric adenocarcinoma subtypes in different ethnicities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The multiracial population in Malaysia has lived together for almost a century, however, the risk of gastric cancer among them varies. This study aimed to determine the distribution of different gastric adenocarcinoma subtypes and Helicobacter pylori infection status among gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled from November 2013 to June 2015.

Tackers versus glue mesh fixation: an objective assessment of postoperative acute and chronic pain using inflammatory markers.

Purpose: Laparoscopic hernioplasty has become a popular choice for inguinal hernia repair since its advent in 1990s. Postoperative pain is an undesirable clinical outcome impairing daily activity of 22.5% of patients.

Follicular thyroid cancer with sternal metastasis - challenges and outcomes.

Sternal metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is rare and presents a conundrum for surgeons. We present a lady diagnosed with follicular thyroid carcinoma and sternal metastasis who underwent thyroidectomy, sternectomy and sternoplasty with titanium mesh and acrylic plate. She developed a surgical site infection, of which multiple conservative approaches were attempted.

Caring for the dying in a developing country, how prepared are we?

End of life care is framework to allow for a peaceful, comfortable and dignified death while considering the patients' personal and religious values, bioethics and knowledge of the disease process. A well planned end of life pathway should allow for the flexibility to shift from an active (or aggressive) treatment approach to one of comfort and care when initial interventions have failed. The need for this pathway is most apparent in the intensive care setting.

Resolution of Acanthosis Nigricans Following Curative Gastric Carcinoma Resection.

We discuss a 48-year old, who presented with upper epigastrium pain associated with early satiety and significant weight loss. Physical examination revealed a thickening and darkening of skins around the skin folds, scalp, back and front of abdomen. A diagnosis of gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma was confirmed by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) and biopsy.

A Prospective Cohort Study on Quality of Life after Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for Primary Hyperhidrosis.

Background: Hyperhidrosis is an excessive sweating disorder affecting quality of life. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), introduced by Kux in 1951, is currently the gold standard surgical treatment for primary hyperhidrosis. 75% of patients with primary hyperhidrosis have seen improvement in quality of life within 30 days after surgery.