Banded sleeve gastrectomy--initial experience.

Background: Isolated sleeve gastrectomy is being used with increasing frequency for the treatment of morbid obesity. This study was done to determine the potential benefit of placing a band of processed human dermis around the upper portion of a sleeve gastrectomy to prevent late dilatation and weight gain.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent a sleeve gastrectomy followed by placement of a band of biological tissue (AlloDerm) placed 6 cm from the gastroesophageal junction.

Bariatric surgery in Medicare patients: greater risks but substantial benefits.

Background: Recent reports have documented greater mortality for bariatric surgery in Medicare (MC) patients compared with patients from other payors.

Methods: We reviewed our database for the mortality and outcomes of 282 MC and 3169 non-Medicare (NMC) patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Results: Of the MC patients, 27 were >65 years of age, and 255 were receiving disability.

The impact of medicaid status on outcome after gastric bypass.

Background: Socioeconomic status has been a predictor of poor outcome in many surgical diseases including morbid obesity. Potential differences in treatment and initial severity of disease have often not been well controlled in patients with bariatric surgery. This study was performed to compare the results of bariatric procedures in financially disadvantaged Medicaid patients compared to patients with Medicare and those with Commercial insurance under controlled conditions.

Four hundred fifty consecutive laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses with no mortality and declining leak rates and lengths of stay in a bariatric training program.

Background: We reviewed our obesity surgery database for 2 experienced bariatric surgeons since their last patient death in October 2003 through July 2007.

Study Design: Data on all patients undergoing planned laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (L-GBP) by the two attending bariatric surgeons at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals were reviewed. The operations were performed by fellows in minimally invasive surgery, assisted by the 2 attending physicians in more than 90% of patients.

Administration of glutamine after hemorrhagic shock restores cellular energy, reduces cell apoptosis and damage, and increases survival.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock causes a rapid depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an increase of the terminal metabolite xanthine. Free radicals generated from xanthine oxidase play a major role in cell injury. Programmed cell death, apoptosis, is a major pathway causing reperfusion injury.