Omental infarction: a cause of acute abdominal pain after antecolic gastric bypass

Omental torsion mimicking acute appendicitis: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Omental torsion is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain caused by twisting of the omentum along its long axis, thus compromising its vascularity. Its presentation is non-specific and can mimic other common pathologies, making its pre-operative diagnosis challenging.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 44-year-old female presented for periumbilical abdominal pain. Her laboratory results showed no leukocytosis and CRP was within normal range. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and IV contrast showed a well demarcated pericecal mass at the right side, mostly suggestive of transmesenteric internal herniation with strangulation. The patient eventually required laparoscopic surgical intervention.

DISCUSSION

The acute abdominal manifestations in patients with omental torsion are due to the development of edema and necrotic tissue distal of the torsion after the arterial supply and venous drainage have been obstructed. Rotation around the right gastroepiploic artery is considered to be the most common cause of omental torsion. Primary torsion is considered to be idiopathic, while secondary torsion occurs due to an identifiable predisposing pathology such as omental cysts, hernias, adhesions, or intra-abdominal tumors. Since symptoms of omental torsion are non-specific, it is crucial to consider the differential diagnosis and rule out other causes of acute abdomen. Surgical intervention is the mainstay treatment when there is uncertainty in the diagnosis, or when the patient's clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings worsen with conservative treatment.

CONCLUSION

Early surgical intervention in cases of omental torsion reduces the incidence of formation of abscesses, adhesions, and omental necrosis. In cases of non-operative candidates, conservative treatment is the best option; therefore, the choice of treatment of omental torsion should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Application of the Falciform Ligament Patch for the Prevention of Duodenal Stump Leakage After Gastrectomy: Technical Report on a Case Series

Background: Duodenal stump leakage (DSL) is a serious complication after gastrectomy. In this study, we developed a novel prevention technique using a falciform ligament patch (FLP) to prevent DSL among high-risk patients after gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: From January 2019 to July 2021, 14 patients who were judged to be at high risk for DSL during preoperative examinations or surgery were included in this retrospective study, and the FLP was applied to the duodenal stump. The falciform ligament was separated from the liver after duodenal transection during gastrectomy; the end part was used to cover the duodenal stump and was fixed using nonabsorbable polypropylene sutures. Results: In total, 14 patients who underwent FLP had one or two risk factors that were identified: 5 patients, gastric cancer duodenal invasion; 4 patients, gastric outlet obstruction (GOO); 1 patient, cancer involving the distal resection margin; 1 patient, duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor involving the distal resection margin; 1 patient, gastric cancer duodenal invasion and GOO; and 2 patients, cancer involving the distal resection margin and GOO. FLP construction was successful, and no patient developed complications of DSL. The average hospital stay was 11.9 days, and the patients were discharged without any morbidities after surgery. Conclusions: Therefore, the FLP can be used to prevent DSL among high-risk patients after gastrectomy.

Rare cause of postoperative acute abdominal pain: Giant omental infarct later complicated by colonic fistulization

Omental infarction is caused by vascular obstruction with resulting tissue ischemia, representing a rare cause of abdominal pain. It has been described as a rare complication of gastric bypass. It is important to recognize omental infarction and its possible complications as The management is usually conservative with surgery deferred to specific cases. We present the case of a 56-year-old male with a history of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent esophagogastrectomy with Roux-n-y reconstruction and 3 months later presented with severe persistent abdominal pain, due to a path proven giant omental infarction. Patient later was complicated with a colonic fistula to the omentum.

Omental infarction with liquefied necrosis after Roux Y gastric bypass: case report and literature review

Omental infarction is a rare phenomenon that can be idiopathic or secondary to a surgical intervention. Greater omentum division has been advocated to decrease tension at the gastro-jejunal anastomosis during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). We report a case of omental infraction complicated by liquefied infected necrosis presenting 3 weeks after antecolic antegastric RYGB. The patient underwent laparotomy and subtotal omentectomy with a protracted hospital course due to intra-abdominal abscesses, acute kidney injury and small bowel obstruction that were successfully managed non-operatively. We reviewed the available literature on omental infarction after RYGB, focusing on associated symptoms, possible etiology, timing of presentation, management and propose an alternative technique without omental division.

Omental Torsion after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Mimicking Appendicitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is a common procedure in obesity surgery. The aim of an antecolic approach is to reduce the rate of internal herniation. Our aim is to make bariatric surgeons aware of another possible complication of antecolic LRYGBP. Methods and Results. We present a case report of omental torsion 24 months after antecolic LRYGBP presenting as an acute abdomen, suggesting appendicitis. During diagnostic laparoscopy, omental infarction due to torsion was observed. Resection of the avital omentum was performed. Discussion. Omental torsion after antecolic LRYGBP is a rare complication. When appearing in the early postoperative phase, it may mimic an anastomotic leakage. It may also occur as late complication, presenting with acute abdomen as an appendicitis.

Postoperative Omental Infarct After Distal Pancreatectomy: Appearance, Etiology Management, and Review of Literature

INTRODUCTION

The clinico-radiological characteristics and the natural history of postoperative omental infarct (OI) in patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) and splenectomy have not been defined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients who underwent DP over a period of 2 years and were postoperatively diagnosed with OI based on computed tomography (CT) findings were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients were diagnosed with an OI based on their postoperative imaging. Seven (58.3 %) patients had previously undergone laparoscopic DP, one (8.3 %) had undergone a robotic DP, and in one (8.3 %), a laparoscopic DP was converted to an open procedure. The remaining three (25.1 %) were treated with open DP. In five (41.6 %) patients, the diagnosis of OI was made during routine follow-up. One patient underwent surgical resection of OI, and two had drains placed in the mass. Nine patients were managed conservatively. During the study period, on review of CT imaging, the minimum prevalence of postoperative OI after DP was found to be 22.8 %. A review of literature identified nine articles that reported a total of 34 patients who were diagnosed with OI after abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSION

The management of an asymptomatic postoperative OI should be conservative while an early invasive intervention should be performed in patients who are symptomatic or have infected OI.

Evaluating the Effect of Drain Site on Abdominal Pain after Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery for Morbid Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Most morbidly obese patients complain of abdominal pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) surgery. In this study, the relationship between the prevalence and severity of pain and the drain site was assessed. Methods: Fifty morbidly obese patients undergoing LGBP surgery were selected, and a drain was randomly inserted postoperatively to the left 5 mm port in 25 cases and to the right in the other 25. All patients filled out a questionnaire, including a visual analog scale for the quality and quantity of pain, exacerbating and alleviating factors and its relation to patient's positioning, in the first 24 hours, first week, and first month after the operation. Result: In both groups, all patients had abdominal pain 24 hours after the operation. However, in the right-sided drain group, most patients (52%) experienced mild pain, whereas most patients (56%) in the left-sided drain group had severe pain (p=0.028). At weeks 1 and 4, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of severity of pain (p=0.068 and 0.875, respectively, for both times). After the first 24 hours and first week, the mean pain score was significantly lower in the right-sited drain group compared to the left-sited drain group (p=0.012 and 0.006). Conclusion: Early abdominal pain after LGBP surgery is significantly reduced in the right-sided drain group.

Functional abdominal pain syndrome in morbidly obese patients following laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery

Background:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGBP) is one of the most common bariatric surgeries, which is being performed using various techniques like gastrojejunostomy by hand swen, linear or circular stapler. Abdominal pain is a common complaint following laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure (LGBP), which has different aetiologies, such as overeating, adhesion, internal herniation, bile reflux and many more. In this study LGBP was performed in an ante-colic ante-gastric pattern in a double loop manner and the prevalence and distribution of pain in morbidly obese patients undergoing LGBP was assessed.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution and frequency of post LGBP pain in morbidly obese patients.

Patients and Methods:

This study was performed on 190 morbidly obese patients referred to Hazrat Rasoul Hospital in Tehran. After LGBP, pain was measured in the following intervals: 24 hours, one week and one month after the operation. Before the operation onset, 2 mg Keflin and 5000 IU subcutaneous heparin were administered as prophylaxis. LGBP was performed using five ports including: one 11 mm port was placed 15-20 cm far from the xiphoid, one 12-mm port in mid-clavicular line at the level of camera port, one 5-mm port in subcostal area in ante-axillary region in the left, another 5-mm port in the right mid-clavicular area and a 5-mm port in sub-xyphoid. All operations were done by the same team. Staple was used for all anastomoses and hand sewn technique to close the staple insertion site. The mesenteric defect was left open and no effort was made to repair it.

Results:

The results of this study showed that 99.94 % of the patients had complains of pain in the first 24 hours of post operation, about 60% after one week and 29.5 % still had pain after one month. In addition, left upper quadrant (LUQ) was found to be the most prevalent site for the pain in 53.7% of the patients in the first 24 hours, 59.6% after one week and 16.8% after one month (except for obscure pain) with a significance of < 0.05.

Conclusions:

In this study, the authors analyzed the location and disturbance level of pain after LGBP, which could serve as a cornerstone for further researches. The authors suggest that long-term follow-up (for more than a year after operation) should be considered in future studies and also the relationship between the drainage site and pain should be investigated.

Omental infarction caused by laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: CT findings

AIM

To investigate the computed tomography (CT) imaging features of omental infarction in patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) for gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 390 patients who underwent LAG for gastric cancer. Two radiologists evaluated the CT images for the presence of omental infarction. The CT pattern was characterized at initial presentation and the evolutional changes were evaluated. The initial CT appearance of omental infarctions were categorized into the following four types: type 1 (ill-defined, heterogeneous, fat density lesion); type 2 (well-defined fat density lesion with rim enhancement); type 3 (well-defined heterogeneous lesion with fat component); and type 4 (well-defined heterogeneous lesion without a fat component).

RESULTS

Of the 390 patients involved, nine patients (2.3%; six male and three female with a mean age of 57 years) were diagnosed with omental infarction. Infarctions averaged 4.1 cm (range 2-7.3 cm) in diameter. Among nine patients with omental infarction, two patients had type 1 lesions, two had type 2, two had type 3, and three type 4. All infarctions became smaller and better defined with evolution. In two patients who presented with type 1 lesions on initial CT, each lesion was progressed to type 2 and type 3 on follow-up CT. In two patients with type 3 lesions on initial CT, the lesions changed to type 4 on follow-up CT.

CONCLUSION

An awareness of the various CT features and evolutional changes in omental infarction after LAG for gastric cancer can help ensure the correct diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis for omental implants.

Secondary omental infarction related to open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy: report of two cases

Omental infarction occurring after open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with partial omentectomy for gastric cancer was a very rare disease in the past, but its incidence has increased as more partial omentectomies are now being performed. But there are few case reports or radiologic studies on its increasing incidence. It is necessary to differentiate omental infarction from carcinomatosis peritonei, since both have similar imaging findings. In this report, we describe two cases of omental infarction; each occurred after open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer patients. Partial omentectomy was performed in both cases. Omental infarction following distal gastrectomy with partial omentectomy can be discriminated from carcinomatosis peritonei by comparing with different initial and follow up CT findings.

Abdominal pain after gastric bypass: suspects and solutions

BACKGROUND

Gastric bypass remains the mainstay of surgical therapy for obesity. Abdominal pain after gastric bypass is common and accounts for up to half of all postoperative complaints and emergency room visits. This article reviews the most important causes of abdominal pain specific to gastric bypass and discusses management considerations.

METHODS

The current surgical literature was reviewed using PubMed, with a focus on abdominal pain after gastric bypass and the known pathologies that underlie its pathogenesis.

RESULTS

The etiologies of abdominal pain after gastric bypass are diverse. A thorough understanding of their pathogenesis impacts favorably on clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential diagnosis for abdominal pain after gastric bypass is large and includes benign and life-threatening entities. Its diverse causes require a broad evaluation that should be directed by history and clinical presentation. In the absence of a clear diagnosis, the threshold for surgical exploration in patients with abdominal pain after gastric bypass should be low.

An unusual complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: torsion and infarction of the divided Omentum

A 41-year-old male was admitted from the emergency department with severe epigastric and right hypochondric abdominal pain. The patient had a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation 12 months previously. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed signs of omental infarction. A laparoscopy was performed and showed a torsion and infarction of the divided greater omentum. Resection of the ischemic omentum was performed.

A novel approach for Roux limb construction via the lesser sac

Exposure of the ligament of Treitz for Roux limb construction during laparoscopic gastric bypass requires either division or displacement of the omentum. Factors compromising this exposure include: (1) a bulky omentum, (2) hepatomegaly, (3) adhesions between the omentum and lower abdominal wall or pelvic contents and (4) inability to identify the transverse colon because of overlying adipose tissue. The lesser sac approach is an alternative method for Roux limb construction during laparoscopic gastric bypass when access to the inframesocolic abdomen is difficult. In this technique the lesser sac is entered through the gastrocolic ligament. The transverse mesocolon is then opened and the ligament of Treitz is identified. The jejunum is pulled into the lesser sac and the Roux limb is constructed. The jejunojejunostomy is reduced into the inframesocolic compartment, the mesenteric defects are closed, and the remaining portion of the procedure is completed. This technique provides an alternative method for completion of a laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients who would otherwise require more extensive surgery.

Comparative analysis of short-term outcomes after bariatric surgery between two disparate populations

BACKGROUND

Risk adjustment is a critically important aspect of outcomes research. Racial, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic differences are nonclinical parameters that can affect clinical outcomes measurement after gastric bypass surgery.

METHODS

A single surgeon's experience with 217 consecutive laparoscopic gastric bypass patients in private practice in Southern California was compared with the same surgeon's experience with 124 consecutive patients in an academic institution in Philadelphia.

RESULTS

Of the Southern California and Philadelphia groups, 89%, 1%, 9%, and 1% and 55%, 38%, 6%, and 0% were white, black, Hispanic, and Asian, respectively. The average number of co-morbidities was 7.8 in the Southern California group versus 14.4 in the Philadelphia group (P <.001). The 60-day readmission to the hospital rate and emergency room admission rate was 1.4% versus 10.4% and 1.4% versus 18.5%. The insurer mix of private pay, private insurer, and federally funded insurer was 20%, 80%, and 0% in the Southern California group and 0.8%, 71%, and 28% in the Philadelphia group, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found Medicaid status and practice location independently predicted for the 60-day readmission rate (odds ratio [OR] 3.7, P = .04 and OR 5.6, P = .04, respectively) and a return to the emergency room (OR 3.2, P = .03 and OR 16.3, P <.001). Race, income, and the presence of diabetes were not independent predictors. Variables with nonsignificant differences between the Southern California and Philadelphia cohorts included average age, average body mass index, and major complications (return to surgery and intensive care unit admissions).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study have shown that in comparing and predicting the outcomes after bariatric surgery, adjustment for demographic and insurance variables might be necessary to improve accuracy.