Linear-stapled gastrojejunostomy with transverse hand-sewn enterotomy closure significantly reduces strictures for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Incidence and risk factors for early gastrojejunostomy anastomotic stricture requiring endoscopic intervention following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a MBSAQIP analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) stricture is one of the most commonly recognized complications following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). The risks involving the formation of early GJ stomal stenosis are largely unknown. The aims of this study are to evaluate the rate and risk factors associated with GJ stricture in patients requiring esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) within 30 days after LRYGB.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent EGD for GJ stricture following LRYGB. Data were retrieved from MBSAQIP database from 2015 to 2018. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed. Those who had reoperation, readmission, and intervention for other indications rather than GJ stricture were excluded from the risk factor analysis.

RESULTS

760,076 patients underwent bariatric surgery. Of these, 184,660 (24.3%) underwent LRYGB and 875 had GJ stricture within 30 days postoperatively. The overall incidence of early GJ stricture after LRYGB was 4.7 per 1000 person-years. The incidence decreased from 6.2 to 3.4 per 1000 person-years during the 4-year period. 85% of patients with GJ stricture required therapeutic intervention. Median (IQR) day to the first endoscopic intervention was 25 (21-28) days. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 40%. 30-day reoperation rate due to GJ stricture was 5.6%. No 30-day mortality occurred. Factors independently associated with an increased risk for early GJ stricture include concurrent hiatal hernia repair (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2), revision case (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.6), African American (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7), gastroesophageal reflux disease-GERD (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.5), drain placement (AOR 1.3, 95% CI1.1-1.4), and routine postoperative swallow study (AOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.50).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of early GJ stricture following LRYGB decreased at MBSAQIP-accredited centers over the review period. Patients having additional manipulation at or around GJ were at risk of developing early GJ stricture after LRYGB.

Overlap Anastomosis for Digestive Reconstruction during Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy with Intensive Regional Lymph Node Dissection: Physiological Impact of Preserving the Mesenteric Autonomic Nerves in the Lifted Jejunal Limb

Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a treatment for gastric cancer, and isoperistaltic side-to-side reconstruction is called "overlap anastomosis." The physiological advantages of preserving the autonomic nerves in the jejunal limb for digestive reconstruction are well known. Here, we focused on overlap anastomosis with autonomic nerve-preserved mesojejunum of the lifted jejunal limb for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with intentional lymph node dissection. Our surgical techniques and technical pitfalls were described in detail. The jejunum was partially sacrificed to preserve the autonomic nerves in the lifted jejunal limb. The length of the staple line was 35 - 40 mm. The endostapler entry was carefully closed to avoid even subtle stenosis. Twelve patients were retrospectively evaluated with a follow-up of 5.0 ± 0.6 years. Histological findings according to the Japanese classification were stage IA or IB. Dietary intake and postoperative ambulation occurred at 3.3 ± 1.0 and 1.3 ± 0.5 days after surgery, respectively. Postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification were one each of grade I and grade II. Postoperative hospital stay was 6.7 ± 1.6 days. Five patients were medication-free at final follow-up, with no recurrence in any patient. Overlap anastomosis with autonomic nerve-preserved jejunal limb was safe and feasible for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection.

The Role of Gastrojejunostomy Size on Gastric Bypass Weight Loss

BACKGROUND

The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been considered a reference procedure in the bariatric surgery. The linear-stapled gastrojejunostomy (GJ) has proved to be safe and effective, but its optimal size referred to postoperative weight loss remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the role of the linear-stapled GJ size in the mid-term post-LRYGB weight loss and occurrence of complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January to April 2014, 128 patients underwent LRYGB with linear-stapled GJ in a 2-year follow-up. The LRYGB were carried out with the same technical steps, except for the length of the GJ. In GJ-15-mm group (n = 64), the GJ was constructed with white 45-mm cartridge in an extension of only 15 mm whereas in GJ-45-mm group (n = 64), the GJ was achieved using full extension of the cartridge. The body mass index (BMI) reduction was recorded for 24 months after procedure.

RESULTS

The mean ages were 38 ± 10.6 and 41.3 ± 12.3 years, and there were 45 (70.3%) and 51 (79.7%) females in the GJ-15-mm and GJ-45-mm groups, respectively. The analysis on raw BMI data showed that both groups had significant reduction of BMI over time (p ≤ 0.05); however, reduction was greater in the GJ-15-mm group from 18 months onwards (p ≤ 0.05). The only complication observed was a case (1.56%) of stenosis in the group GJ-15 mm.

CONCLUSION

The global analysis of BMI reduction indicated that the narrower GJ used (GJ-15-mm group) represented a favoring factor decreasing significantly more the BMI when compared to the wider one (GJ-45-mm group).

Imaging the postoperative patient: long-term complications of gastrointestinal surgery

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this review are (1) to become acquainted with the long-term complications of surgery of the gastrointestinal tract, and (2) to appreciate the appropriate use of imaging in the assessment of long-term complications.

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal tract surgery comprises a group of procedures performed for a variety of both benign and malignant diseases. In the late postoperative setting, adhesions and internal hernias are the most important complications. and they can be further complicated by volvulus and ischemia. At present, computed tomography (CT) is the workhorse for evaluating late postoperative complications. Accurate imaging assessment of patients is essential for adequate treatment planning.

IMAGING FINDINGS OR PROCEDURE DETAILS

In this pictorial essay we will review the most frequent long-term complications after gastrointestinal surgery, including adhesions, afferent loop syndrome, closed-loop obstruction, strangulated obstruction, internal hernias, external hernias, anastomotic strictures and disease recurrence. Examples will be depicted using iconography from the authors' imaging department.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the most frequent complications after gastrointestinal surgery in the late postoperative period is of paramount importance for every radiologist, so that potentially life-threatening situations can be promptly diagnosed and adequate therapy can be planned.

TEACHING POINTS

• Long-term postoperative complications of gastrointestinal tract surgery can be divided into procedure-related and disease-related categories. • The most common procedure-related complications are internal hernias and adhesions. • The most frequent disease-related complications are mainly associated with neoplastic or inflammatory recurrence. • Computed tomography is the most useful examination when such complications are suspected.