Publications

Scholarly Journals--Published

  • Scharf KR, Morton JM. Metabolic Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes in BMI <35: A Surgeon's View. Obes Surg. 2014 Jan 24;(1)144-5 (01/2014)
  • A Kim, Scharf KR, M Senthil, N Solomon, C Garberoglio, S Lum. The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in a Breast Clinic Population: Consideration for Weight Loss as a Therapeutic Intervention. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2013 Aug 30 (08/2013)
  •  Saber AA, Scharf KR, Turk AZ, Elgalmal MH, Martinez RL. Early Experience with Intraluminal Reinforcement of Stapled Gastrojejunostomy During Laparoscopic Roux- En-Y Gastric Bypass. Obes Surg. 2008 May; 18(5)525-9 BACKGROUND: The use of extraluminal staple-line buttressing material during laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass has shown the potential to reduce staple-line leak and bleeding. We herein present our early experience with intraluminal reinforcement of linear-cutting stapled gastrojejunal anastomosis with the use of bioabsorbable glycolide copolymer staple-line reinforcement. METHODS: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed in 80 consecutive non-randomized morbidly obese patients. Gastrojejunal anastomosis was performed using a linear-cutting stapler without staple-line reinforcement in 40 patients (group A), while in the other 40 patients (group B), gastrojejunostomy was performed using a linear cutting stapler with intraluminal reinforcement material (bioabsorbable glycolide copolymer). Demographic data were collected. The rate of gastrojejunal anastomotic leak, bleeding, and stricture was determined. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in bleeding complications between the two groups (15% bleeding in group A vs. no bleeding in group B, P value=0.0255). Stricture rate was higher in-group A (10% group A vs. 2.5% in group B); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P value=0.2007). None of our patients developed a gastrojejunal leak. CONCLUSION: Intraluminal reinforcement of gastrojejunal anastomosis during laparoscopic gastric bypass is safe and feasible. The use of intraluminal bioabsorbable glycolide copolymer staple-line reinforcement significantly reduces the incidence of gastrojejunal bleeding. (01/2011)