Psoriasis is a chronic systemic disease with important skin manifestations, affecting 2 % of the population. It is more frequent and severe in obese patients, and both have been associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. Recent studies suggest that weight loss may improve psoriasis and metabolic comorbidities in obese patients. We reviewed our prospective electronic database for all patients with psoriasis who underwent bariatric surgery between 2008 and 2011. We assessed surgical complications, weight progression, and psoriasis-related outcomes. The Dermatology Life Quality Index was used retrospectively to assess quality of life (QoL) before and after the operation. Ten patients were included; body mass index was 38.8 ± 5.2 kg/m(2). Pre-surgical treatment for psoriasis was topical (50 %) and systemic (40 %). Eight patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and two underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. At follow-up, the mean percent excess weight loss 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 45 %, 80 %, and 88 %, respectively. Comorbidity resolution was 75 % for diabetes mellitus, 100 % for insulin resistance, and 57 % for hypertension. Related to psoriasis, 70 % of the patients stayed in remission 6 months after surgery and three of the four patients who were previously medicated with systemic drugs discontinued medication. The impact of psoriasis on QoL improved from 14.9 ± 6.8 before surgery to 5 ± 6.3 after surgery (p = 0.005). Bariatric surgery for positive metabolic, skin, and quality of life results should be considered as a useful adjuvant therapy for obese patients with psoriasis.

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Summary and background data Recent coronavirus outbreak and “stay at home” policies have accelerated the implementation of virtual healthcare. Many surgery departments are implementing telemedicine to enhance remote perioperative care. However, concern still arises regarding the safety of this modality in postoperative follow-up after gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of the present prospective study is to compare the use of telemedicine clinics to in-person follow-up for postoperative care after gastrointestinal surgery during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods Prospective study that included all abdominal surgery patients operated since the COVID-19 outbreak. On discharge, patients were given the option to perform their postoperative follow-up appointment by telemedicine or by in-person clinics. Demographic, perioperative, and follow-up variables were analyzed. Results Among 219 patients who underwent abdominal surgery, 106 (48%) had their postoperative follow-up using telemedicine. There were no differences in age, gender, ASA score, and COVID-19 positive rate between groups. Patients who preferred telemedicine over in-person follow-up were more likely to have undergone laparoscopic surgery (71% vs. 51%, P = 0.037) and emergency surgery (55% vs. 41%; P = 0.038). Morbidity rate for telemedicine and in-person group was 5.7% and 8%, ( P = 0.50). Only 2.8% of patients needed an in-person visit following the telemedicine consult, and 1.9% visited the emergency department. Conclusions In the current pandemic, telemedicine follow-up can be safely and effectively performed in selected surgical patients. Patients who underwent laparoscopic and emergency procedures opted more for telemedicine than in-person follow-up.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 has rapidly spread worldwide in an unprecedented pandemic. Patients with an ongoing COVID-19 infection requiring surgery have higher risk of mortality and complications. This study describes the mortality and morbidity in patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection undergoing elective and emergency surgeries. Methods Prospective cohort of consecutive patients who required a general, gastroesophageal, hepatobiliary, colorectal, or emergency surgery during COVID-19 pandemic at an academic teaching hospital. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality and major complications. Secondary outcomes were specific respiratory mortality and complications. Results A total of 701 patients underwent surgery, 39 (5.6%) with a perioperative COVID-19 infection. 30-day mortality was 12.8% and 1.4% in patients with and without COVID-19 infection, respectively (p \ 0.001). Major surgical complications occurred in 25.6% and 6.8% in patients with and without COVID-19 infection, respectively (p \ 0.001). Respiratory complications occurred in 30.8% and 1.4% in patients with and without COVID-19 infection, respectively (p \ 0.001). Mortality due to a respiratory complication was 100% and 11.1% in patients with and without COVID-19 infection, respectively (p \ 0.006). Conclusions 30-day mortality and surgical complications are higher in patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection. Indications for elective surgery need to be reserved for non-deferrable procedures in order to avoid unnecessary risks of non-urgent procedures.