Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with an increased exposure to ionizing radiation

High-Frequency of Computer Tomography and Surgery for Abdominal Pain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

INTRODUCTION

Acute, intermittent, and chronic abdominal pain is a common complaint after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of medical imaging and the need for surgery treating abdominal pain after RYGB in a cohort with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Data from 569 patients who underwent RYGB as the primary bariatric procedure at a public hospital in Norway between April 2004 and June 2011 were prospectively registered in a local quality registry for bariatric surgery. All abdominal imaging and abdominal surgical procedures were registered until August 2017.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 100 months (61-159). During the observation period, 22% had one CT, 9% had two CTs, 4% had three CTs, and 5% had four or more CTs for abdominal pain. Twenty-two percent underwent abdominal surgery, as 16% had one and 6% had two or more operations and gynecological procedures excluded. The purpose of operation was postoperative complications (1.4%), suspected internal herniation (9.3%), cholecystectomy (9.3%), appendectomy (2.3%), hernias (3.2%), and perforated ulcer in the gastrojejunal anastomosis (0.7%). Mean time interval was 42 ± 27 months from RYGB to cholecystectomy and 51 ± 26 months for suspected IH.

CONCLUSION

With a mean follow-up period of more than 8 years after RYGB, 40% of the patients suffered from abdominal pain, needing one or more CT scans. The need for surgery treating suspected internal hernia and cholecystectomy was equal, at 9.3% for both procedures, but the mean time from RYGB to operation was shorter for cholecystectomies.

Abdominal Pain After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Background and Aims:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is widely used as treatment of morbid obesity. Weight loss, effects on obesity-related co-morbidities and quality of life are well documented post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Other outcome measures are less well studied. This review explores aspects of prevalence, diagnostic evaluations, etiology, and treatment of abdominal pain specific to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Methods:

The review is based on PubMed searches and clinical experience with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Symptoms in the early postoperative phase (<30 days) were not included.

Results:

Based on limited evidence, up to about 30% of the patients may perceive recurrent abdominal pain post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the long term. A substantial subset of patients will need health-care evaluation for acute abdominal pain and hospital admission. The etiology of abdominal pain is heterogeneous and includes gallstone-related disease, intestinal obstruction, anastomotic ulcerations and strictures, intestinal dysmotility, dysfunctional eating, and food intolerance. Surgical treatment and guidance on diet and eating habits may allow symptom relief. The cause of pain remains undefined for a subset of patients. Impact of abdominal pain post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on the perception of well-being, quality of life, and patient satisfaction with the procedure needs to be further evaluated and may be influenced by complex interactions between new symptoms post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and relief of pre-existing symptoms.

Conclusion:

Abdominal pain should be part of follow-up consultations post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Future studies should focus on combined evaluations before and after surgery to enlighten potential casual relationships between abdominal pain and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

An Effort to Develop an Algorithm to Target Abdominal CT Scans for Patients After Gastric Bypass

Abdominal CT (abdCT) scans are frequently ordered for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain, but often do not reveal intra-abdominal pathology. We aimed to develop an algorithm for rational ordering of abdCTs. We retrospectively reviewed our institution's RYGB patients presenting acutely with abdominal pain, documenting clinical and laboratory data, and scan results. Associations of clinical parameters to abdCT results were examined for outcome predictors. Of 1643 RYGB patients who had surgery between 2005 and 2015, 355 underwent 387 abdCT scans. Based on abdCT, 48 (12 %) patients required surgery and 86 (22 %) another intervention. No clinical or laboratory parameter predicted imaging results. Imaging decisions for RYGB patients do not appear to be amenable to a simple algorithm, and patient work-up should be based on astute clinical judgment.