Expectant management of the asymptomatic gallbladder at Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: Because of the claim that about one third of patients develop gallstones within 6 months of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), many have recommended preoperative ultrasonography for all patients and/or prophylactic cholecystectomy (CCY), or ursodiol to prevent stone formation. METHODS: Prospective data were collected from 1391 consecutive patients followed up for > or = 6 months after RYGB (2000-2005) to assess our practice of not routinely removing the gallbladder and not administering ursodiol. RESULTS: Of the 1391 patients, 334 (24%) had undergone CCY before RYGB. Of the remaining 1057 asymptomatic patients, 516 had undergone preoperative ultrasonography. Stones were identified in 99 (19%), sludge in 5 (0.97%), and polyps in 6 (1.1%). Of the 984 patients with gallbladders left in situ after RYGB, only 80 (8.1%) became symptomatic and required delayed CCY. The average excess weight loss at the delayed CCY was 65%. The risk of undergoing delayed CCY seemed to be restricted to the first 29 months after RYGB, because none of 165 patients followed up for 30-144 months required CCY. CONCLUSION: Although CCY should be performed whenever symptoms mandate, the value of routine preoperative ultrasonography and CCY was not apparent from the results of our study. Waiting until symptoms develop might simplify the operative procedure because of the significant weight loss that should have occurred after RYGB. Using an expectant approach, most patients undergoing RYGB will not require CCY.     

Antiperistaltic (retrograde) intussusception after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Adult intussusception has been described after various types of gastrointestinal surgery. In some instances there may be intussusception of the jejunum into the stomach via a gastrointestinal stoma, a rare complication known as jejunogastric intussusception (JGI). We present a retrospective review of two cases of retrograde intussusception occurring years after open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for morbid obesity. To our knowledge there have been no documented reports of JGI occurring after RYGB and only scattered reports of JGI after Roux-en-Y reconstruction in general. Two reports of intussusception following RYGB were identified in the English literature and comprised three patients, only one of whom suffered a retrograde intussusception. As the number of RYGB procedures continues to rise, we will likely see more of this entity; and it is therefore crucial that surgeons consider acute and chronic intussusception as a cause of abdominal pain in patients who have undergone RYGB.     

Endoscopic management of stomal stenosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background: In the United States, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has evolved into the procedure of choice for clinically severe obesity. Stomal stenosis resulting in gastric outlet obstruction is a recognized complication. Endoscopic balloon dilation is often used to treat this condition. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic management of stomal stenosis we evaluated our treatment methods and outcomes. Methods: The records of all patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2002 were studied. Stenosis was defined as signs and symptoms of obstruction with inability to cannulate the gastrojejunostomy using an 8.5-mm diagnostic endoscope. Charts were reviewed and demographic data, operative course, symptoms, and outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 562 patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for obesity during the study period. Of these, 38 patients underwent endoscopic balloon dilation for stomal stenosis, for a stenosis rate of 6.8%. The average time from surgery to initial dilation was 7.7 weeks (range 3 to 24). The average number of dilations required was 2.1 (range one to six). The mean initial balloon size was 13 mm and the mean final balloon size was 16 mm. Two patients failed endoscopic dilation and proceeded to surgery, including one patient who developed pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after dilation. All patients were relieved of their gastric outlet obstruction. The success rate for endoscopic balloon dilation was 95% with a 3% complication rate. Conclusions: In our experience, the rate of gastrojejunostomy stenosis following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is 6.8%. Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective therapy for stomal stenosis with a high success rate. It should be considered an appropriate intervention with a low risk for reoperation.     

Routine gallbladder screening not necessary in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Management of the gallbladder in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is controversial. We reviewed our experience in patients undergoing LRYGBP without routine gallbladder screening. METHODS: The data of 644 patients who underwent LRYGBP at our institution were analyzed. Preoperative ultrasonography was routinely obtained early in our series and selectively thereafter in patients with suspected symptomatic biliary disease. Cholecystectomy at LRYGBP was performed in symptomatic patients with positive ultrasound findings. Postoperatively, patients with intact gallbladders were prescribed ursodiol for 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 644 patients, 155 (24%) had history of cholecystectomy. A total of 104 patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography. Of the 104 patients, 20 had positive ultrasound findings and symptoms consistent with biliary disease and underwent concomitant cholecystectomy. Twelve patients had positive ultrasound findings and no biliary symptoms and did not undergo cholecystectomy. At a mean follow-up of 26.4 months, only 1 (8.3%) of the 12 patients had required cholecystectomy. Of the 104 patients, 72 had negative ultrasound findings. At a mean follow-up of 21.2 months, 5 of them (6.9%) had required cholecystectomy. The remaining 385 patients did not undergo any gallbladder screening. At a mean follow-up of 14 months, 32 (8.3%) of 385 patients had required cholecystectomy. Compliance with ursodiol for >4 months was only 39%. A time-to-event analysis did not reveal a significant difference in the cholecystectomy rate between asymptomatic patients with preoperative gallbladder screening and patients with no screening. CONCLUSION: Omission of gallbladder screening in asymptomatic patients undergoing LRYGBP is a reasonable approach that spares the patient a potentially unnecessary procedure with all its associated risks.     

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a case report at one-year follow-up

Surgery is the only treatment for morbid obesity that has been proven to achieve a significant long-term weight loss. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure has been performed for the treatment of morbid obesity over the past two decades with excellent results. Wound complications and perioperative morbidity remain unresolved problems of the procedure. A laparoscopic approach to this procedure has great potential to minimize the complications of this highly effective technique. We describe a laparoscopically performed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a 28-year-old woman with morbid obesity. The technique described here preserves the anatomic construct of the operation but introduces the benefit of the laparoscopic approach.     

Safety and efficacy of simultaneous cholecystectomy at Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BackgroundTo date, published reports have shown an increased length of hospital stay and increased morbidity for patients undergoing simultaneous cholecystectomy during Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). We hypothesized that our experience would not show such adverse outcomes.MethodsAll RYGB procedures (n = 752) performed by 1 surgeon at our institution from 1995 to 2006 were reviewed for demographic data, operative data, and postoperative outcomes. A laparoscopic approach (LRYGB) was used for 438 procedures. The data from a prospectively gathered institutional database were retrospectively compared using standard statistical analysis.ResultsComparing LRYGB with cholecystectomy to LRYGB without cholecystectomy, the operative time was significantly longer (198.4 ± 61.9 versus 177.7 ± 57.7 min, P = .001), but the mean hospital stay (3.3 ± 5.5 versus 2.9 ± 6.1 d, P = .555), postoperative complication rate (18.3% versus 18.5%, P = .100), and postoperative mortality (0% and .6%, P = 1.000) were not different between the 2 groups. Comparing the open RYGB patients with and without simultaneous cholecystectomy, the operative time was similarly longer (223.4 ± 63.9 versus 203.5 ± 57.3 min, P = .005), and the mean hospital stay (5.0 ± 3.7 versus 4.7 ± 5.9 d, P = .644), postoperative complication rate (61.4% versus 55.2%, P = .293), and postoperative mortality rate (1.6% versus 2.4%, P = .685) were not different between the 2 groups.ConclusionAlthough it took, on average, 20 minutes longer, cholecystectomy can be safely added to RYGB without increasing the hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, or mortality in both laparoscopic and open surgery using comparable operative techniques. We recommend routine simultaneous cholecystectomy be performed for patients with documented gallstones during RYGB.     

Risk of gastric cancer after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of gastric cancer after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). DESIGN: Rats randomly underwent 1 of the following: RYGB, duodenojejunal bypass (DJB), or a sham operation. Postoperatively, rats underwent a protocol of cancer induction by means of both continuous (200 ppm in tap water for 16 weeks) and intermittent (50-mg/kg intraesophageal injection, once a week, for 12 weeks) administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. SETTING: Institut de Recherche Contre les Canceurs de l'Appareil Digestif-European Institute of Telesurgery. STUDY ANIMALS: Fifty-five Fischer 344 rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seventeen weeks after the operation, we performed a pathologic examination of the whole stomach in all animals to assess for the presence of cancer and/or premalignant lesions. Bilirubin concentration, gastric bacterial flora, and any other pathologic findings were also recorded. RESULTS: In rats in the sham and DJB groups, the incidence of gastric cancer was 85% and 75%, respectively (P = .63), whereas only 23% of rats in the RYGB group developed gastric cancer (4-fold reduction; P = .002). The remnant stomach of rats in the RYGB group also showed a lower bilirubin concentration (P < .01) and a lower bacterial count (P < .05) compared with both the DJB and sham groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that RYGB reduces the risk of gastric cancer in an experimental model of dietary-induced carcinogenesis. Lack of direct contact with carcinogens, lower bile reflux, and a lower bacteria concentration in the gastric content may be responsible for these observations. These data suggest that RYGB may be a safe option for the treatment of morbid obesity even in areas with high gastric cancer incidence.     

Conversion of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence and causes of conversion from a laparoscopic to an open gastric bypass for morbid obesity, we reviewed the experience of our bariatric center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the records of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at our center. RESULTS: In all, 1,236 consecutive patients with body mass indes (BMI) from 35 to 82 were approached laparoscopically. In 97%, bypasses were completed laparoscopically and in 3% (40 patients), a conversion was required to complete the procedure. Older age and male sex were greater in the converted group, whereas BMI was not different nor was the proportion of super obese patients. The cause of conversion was technical in 80%, bleeding in 10%, and a massive liver in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Our risk of conversion was generally low, but increased in older patients and males. In 33% of patients, conversions could have been avoided with technical lessons learned by experience.     

Comparison of nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and after biliopancreatic diversion with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background: Patients undergoing either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) or biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with RYGBP are at risk of developing metabolic sequelae secondary to malabsorption.We compared the differences in nutritional complications between these two bariatric operations. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was done. From June 1994 to December 2001, 243 morbidly obese patients underwent various bariatric procedures at our institution. Of these patients, 79 (BMI 45.6 ± SD=4.9) who underwent RYGBP (gastric pouch 15 ± 5ml, biliopancreatic limb 60-80 cm, alimentary limb 80-100 cm and common limb the remainder of the small intestine), and 95 super obese (BMI 57.2 ± 6.1) who underwent a BPD (gastric pouch 15 ± 5ml, biliopancreatic limb 150-200 cm, common limb 100 cm and alimentary limb the remainder of the small intestine), were selected and studied for the incidence of micronutrient deficiencies and level of serum albumin at yearly intervals postoperatively. A variety of nutritional parameters including Hb, Fe, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B₁₂ and serum albumin were measured preoperatively and compared postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, and yearly thereafter. Results: Nutritional parameters were compared preoperatively and at similar periods postoperatively. No statistically significant (P <0.05) difference in the occurrence of deficiency was observed between the groups for any of the nutritional parameters studied, except for ferritin, which showed a significant difference at the 2-year follow-up (37.7% low ferritin levels after RYGBP vs. 15.2% after BPD, P =0.0294). All of these deficiencies were mild, without clinical symptomatology and were easily corrected with additional supplementation of the deficient micronutrient, with no need for hospitalization. Regarding serum albumin, there was only one patient with a level below 3 g/dl in the RYGBP group and two in the BPD group.These three patients were hospitalized and received total parenteral nutrition for 3 weeks, without further complications. Conclusion:There was no significant difference in the incidence of deficiency of the nutritional parameters studied, except for ferritin, following RYGBP vs. BPD with RYGBP.The most common deficiencies encountered were of iron and vitamin B₁₂. The incidence of hypoalbuminemia was negligible in both groups, with mean values above 4 g/dl.     

Complications of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Despite the well-documented safety of laparoscopic RYGB, several short-term and long-term complications, with varying degrees of morbidity and mortality risk, are known to occur. Bariatric surgeons, all too familiar with these complications, should be knowledgeable in risk-reduction strategies to minimize the incidence of complication occurrence and recurrence. Bariatric and nonbariatric surgeons who evaluate and treat abdominal pain should be familiar with these complications to facilitate early recognition and intervention, thereby minimizing the associated morbidity and mortality.     

Techniques of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Morbid obesity represents a challenge to healthcare as the underlying source of numerous risks and significant expenditure. Gastric bypass surgery has been validated as a means of significant and reproducible reduction in weight. In the laparoscopic era, the minimally invasive approach has been applied to this procedure with promising results. In our technique, we divide the stomach to create a small gastric pouch drained by a retrocolic, retrogastric Roux-en-Y alimentary jejunal limb. The gastrojejunostomy is performed in 2 layers, an inner stapled layer and an outer sutured layer. We, like other groups, have found that laparoscopic gastric bypass provides similar efficacy to open gastric bypass, but offers improved patient acceptance, quality of life, and significantly less wound complications.     

Open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: Indications and technique

Summary Clearly, laparoscopic RYGB is a significant technologic advance. Nevertheless, there remains a role for open RYGB in many situations.