Obesity surgery
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Fatigue and mental workload are directly associated with high-complexity tasks. In general, difficult tasks produce a higher mental workload, leaving little opportunity to deal with new/unexpected events and increasing the likelihood of performance errors. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) learning curve is considered to be one of the most difficult to complete in laparoscopic surgery. We wished to validate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) in LRYGB and identify factors that could provoke a higher mental workload for surgeons during the learning curve. ⋯ The NASA-TLX is a valid tool to gauge mental workload in LRYGB.
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The proportion of population older than 60 years is rapidly increasing. The majority of this older population suffers from multiple comorbid conditions including obesity. Non-surgical means of weight loss do not offer a predictable solution. Surgical interventions seem to be the most promising solution for the obesity problem, but there is a relative lack of data in literature regarding bariatric procedures in older populations. ⋯ Bariatric surgery can be safe and effective for patients older than 60 years of age with a low morbidity and mortality; the weight loss and improvement in comorbidities in older patients were clinically significant. When compared to the general population, there was no statistically significant difference in the average %EWL at 12 months or the number of complications due to surgery. Long-term effects of such interventions will need further studies and investigations.