Subscribe to Updates in Healthcare

RSS By Email

RSS By RSS

Add to Google Reader or Homepage

Subscribe in Bloglines


The Expertise Imperative and Compliance Technology
Access to a diverse array of specialized expert inputs drives superior decisions in every organizational context: within corporations, by investors and consultancies, and within nonprofits. When decision makers are confident of their decision inputs, they can respond more quickly and creatively to challenges and opportunities.Learn more about GLG's Compliance Framework


This page may include content provided by Council Members, your access to which is subject to the Terms of Use.
Find Out More

January 25, 2008

Preventing Bariatric Surgery Deaths

This analysis is solely the work of the author. It has not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
Analysis By:
Forrest Rubenstein, MD
Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Rubenstein Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Implications:  Bariatric surgery is a major operative procedure that caries significant morbidity and mortality risks due to the comorbid diseases seen in this patient population.  This procedure is increasing in frequency as more patients are willing to have it and more surgeons are becoming proficient. The mortality rate is ~ 1 % at 1 year and 6% at 5 years which is greater than the population at large.

Analysis:  The URL for this article is:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/567726?src=mp

http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/17938303 

There is an excess of cardiovascular deaths and suicides in patients following bariatric surgery. 

These patients require careful pre-op evaluation (ie cardiac) and optimization and careful post - op monitoring to decrease some of the preventable deaths (ie suicides).

This requires a team approach as the risks to these patients does not end after the perioperative period.

Meticulous attention to surgical detail, patient selection for the individual procedure (bypass vs lap band, open vs laparoscopic, etc), perioperative glycemic and BP control, PE prophylaxis, and dietary and emotional counseling are all important components of this procedure.


Other Analyses of the Same Source Article:
Body composition changes after bariatric surgery
January 25, 2008, Author: GLG Expert Contributor

Report a Concern

GLG News: What Experts Think Is Important





Analytics


Generated at 2008-11-20T21:45:39.363