Background There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates. Methods We conducted an international cohort study to determine all-cause and COVID-19-specific 30-day morbidity and mortality of BS performed between 01/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. Results Four hundred ninety-nine surgeons from 185 centres in 42 countries provided data on 7704 patients. Elective primary BS (n = 7084) was associated with a 30-day morbidity of 6.76% (n = 479) and a 30-day mortality of 0.14% (n = 10). Emergency BS, revisional BS, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and untreated obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with increased complications on multivariable analysis. Forty-three patients developed symptomatic COVID-19 postoperatively, with a higher risk in non-whites. Preoperative self-isolation, preoperative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and surgery in institutions not concurrently treating COVID-19 patients did not reduce the incidence of postoperative COVID-19. Postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 was more likely if the surgery was performed during a COVID-19 peak in that country. Conclusions BS can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate perioperative protocols. There was no relationship between preoperative testing for COVID-19 and self-isolation with symptomatic postoperative COVID-19. The risk of postoperative COVID-19 risk was greater in non-whites or if BS was performed during a local peak.

Summary Background Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity. Objectives This study examined the safety of MBS in adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods This was a global, multicentre and observational cohort study of MBS performed between May 01, 2020, and October 10,2020, in 68 centres from 24 countries. Data collection included in‐hospital and 30‐day COVID‐19 and surgery‐specific morbidity/mortality. Results One hundred and seventy adolescent patients (mean age: 17.75 ± 1.30 years), mostly females (n = 122, 71.8%), underwent MBS during the study period. The mean pre‐operative weight and body mass index were 122.16 ± 15.92 kg and 43.7 ± 7.11 kg/m2, respectively. Although majority of patients had pre‐operative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) (n = 146; 85.9%), only 42.4% (n = 72) of the patients were asked to self‐isolate pre‐operatively. Two patients developed symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection post‐operatively (1.2%). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (n = 9). There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusions MBS in adolescents with obesity is safe during the COVID‐19 pandemic when performed within the context of local precautionary procedures (such as pre‐operative testing). The 30‐day morbidity rates were similar to those reported pre‐pandemic. These data will help facilitate the safe re‐introduction of MBS services for this group of patients.

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Purpose Patients with mild obesity especially in absence of associated medical problems (OAMP) are commonly managed by non-surgical approaches. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has proved itself to be effective and it is now the most performed weight loss procedure. We aimed to study the effectiveness and safety of LSG for weight loss in mild obesity. Methods A prospective cohort study. Group A; BMI (30–34.9 kg/m2), and group B; BMI ≥ 40 or BMI ≥ 35 with OAMP. Demographic data, perioperative complications, % excess weight loss (EWL), % total weight loss (TWL), nutritional profile, and evolution of OAMP were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results A total of 250 patients, with 80 patients (32%) in group A, and 170 (68%) in group B. The majority were female. The mean preoperative weight, BMI, and excess weight were 90.1 ± 9.52, 32.7 ± 1.4, and 21.5 ± 4.9 in group A, and 129.88 ± 26.12, 47.8 ± 8.2, and 62.3 ± 23.6 kg in group B respectively. The low BMI group had significantly lower OAMP, with higher pre-LSG non-surgical procedures rate. Overall post-operative morbidity rate was significantly higher in group B. %TWL was significantly lower in low BMI group. Nutritional profile was within the normal range in both groups at 3-year follow-up. Conclusion Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective weight loss solution for mild obesity with better outcome than for higher BMI. Further studies are warranted to reconsider NIH’s statement for medicolegal aspects, and for matching the current changes in bariatric surgery practice, safety evidence, and patients’ demand. Graphical abstract

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Background Ventral hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed today, yet when complex and huge it presents a true challenge for the surgical team. Aim of the Work To assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of Transversus Abdominis release technique in management of ventral hernia with large defects. Patients and Methods This study is a prospective interventional study conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals on 40 patients diagnosed as having ventral hernia with a defect equal to or more than 10cm in width and operated upon between October 2018 and October 2019 with minimal follow up of 6 months postoperatively. Results 40 ventral hernia patients were enrolled in the study. Mean operative time (in minutes) in TAR patient is 268.5min (4hr 28min) with SD ± 47.4. Postoperative pain evaluation using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the postoperative pain was assessed 48hrs postoperatively, the mean VAS score for TAR patient being (6.77 ± 1.70). Early Postoperative wound complications 10 (25.0%). Conclusion After this TAR technique are effective and reliable method in experienced hands.

Background & objectives: Laparoscopic colectomy had become a popular choice for treatment of cancer colon, as it is feasible, safe and provides many advantages to the patients in comparison to open colectomy. However, the adoption of the technique as the routine treatment for patients with cancer colon is still a subject of clinical trials. Methods: 60 patients with cancer colon were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Group A patients underwent open surgery, and group B patients had laparoscopic surgery.The results of both groups were compared and statistically analyzed to identify the advantage and limitations of the laparoscopic approach. Results: Laparoscopic colectomy was associated with longer operative times than open colectomy. The outcomes of patients of the laparoscopic group was comparable (oncological results & recovery of bowel functions) or better (postoperative pain, wound complications and hospital stay) than the open group. Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection for cancer colon is safe, feasible and has better recovery and comparable oncological results than open colectomy. More analysis is needed before implementation of the technique in routine practice and training.