Percutaneous Gastrostomy Placement for Decompression of the Excluded Gastric Remnant following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous gastrostomy for decompression of the excluded stomach in patients’ status post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods Between January 2001 and August 2017, 10 consecutive RYGB patients who underwent placement of a decompressive gastrostomy of the excluded stomach were identified in an institutional database. Technical success was defined as successful gastrostomy catheter placement in the bypassed stomach using fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound guidance. Clinical success was established if dilation of the excluded stomach improved after gastrostomy with resolution of associated symptoms. Charts were reviewed for treatment-related adverse events post-procedure. Results The cohort was predominantly female (9/10), with an average age of 54 ± 14 years. Median follow-up was 35.2 months (range: 0.6–115). Indications for decompressive gastrostomy placement included small bowel obstruction (6/10) or afferent limb obstruction at the jejunojejunal anastomosis (4/10). The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting. All patients had successful gastrostomy placement in the excluded remnant, using ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, with no procedural complications. The 12 to 16F Cope loop catheters was used in this cohort, and gastropexy sutures were used in two cases. All 10 patients demonstrated clinical resolution of symptoms after gastrostomy placement. Two patients developed minor complications of tube site leakage and poor tube function requiring gastrostomy exchange within 1 week of the procedure. Conclusion Fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided percutaneous gastrostomy catheter placement is a safe, effective, and feasible approach to treating dilation of the excluded gastric remnant in RYGB patients.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Transgastric ERCP: A Single-Institution Experience

Background. Laparoscopic-assisted transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (LAERCP) is used for treatment in patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), where transoral access to the biliary tree is not possible. We describe our technique and experience with this procedure.Methods. Electronic medical record search was performed from September 2012 to January 2016, identifying patients who underwent LAERCP per operative records. Charts were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and outcomes data.Results. Sixteen patients were identified. Average time since bypass was 6.9 years, and length of stay was 3.7 days. Five patients underwent simultaneous cholecystectomy. Eleven patients, or 43%, had cholecystectomy more than 2 years previously. ERCP with sphincterotomy was completed in 15 of 16 patients (94%). Our technique involves access to the bypassed stomach via a laparoscopically placed 15 mm port. We observed one major complication of post-ERCP necrotizing pancreatitis. No minor complications nor mortalities were seen in our series.Conclusion. Biliary obstruction can occur many years after RYGB and cholecystectomy. Our findings suggest that RYGB patients may be at a higher risk of primary CBD stone formation. LAERCP is a reliable option for common bile duct (CBD) clearance; our technique of LAERCP is technically simple and associated with low complication rate, making it appealing to surgeons not trained in advanced laparoscopy.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma after Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Gastric adenocarcinoma after gastric bypass for morbid obesity is rare but has been described. The diet restriction, weight loss, and difficult assessment of the bypassed stomach, after this procedure, hinder and delay its diagnosis. We present a 52-year-old man who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 2 years ago and whose previous upper digestive endoscopy was considered normal. He presented with weight loss, attributed to the procedure, and progressive dysphagia. Upper digestive endoscopy revealed stenosing tumor in gastric pouch whose biopsy showed diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma. He underwent total gastrectomy, left lobectomy, distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, segmental colectomy, and bowel resection with esophagojejunal anastomosis. The histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of gastric cancer. The pathogenesis of gastric pouch adenocarcinoma is discussed with a literature review.