Why Size Matters: an Evaluation of Gastric Pouch Size in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Using CT Volumetric Analysis and its Effect on Marginal Ulceration.

PURPOSE: Marginal ulceration (MU) is a common long-term complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The causes of MU after RYGB are multifactorial and include surgical technique of constructing the gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between gastric pouch size in RYGB and MU using CT volumetrics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were retrospectively identified who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) following RYGB at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Measurement of gastric pouch size was performed using 3-D CT software. Standard statistical methods were used, a univariate comparison was performed between MU and non-MU patients followed by a propensity-matched comparison to control for factors known to affect MU, and a propensity-matched subgroup analysis was also performed. RESULTS: In total, 122 patients met criteria, 57 of which had MU on EGD and 65 who did not. The MU group had more smokers and patients with PPI use than the non-MU group, and the mean time from operation to CT scan was 26.6 months (range: 0-108 months). The MU group had a larger gastric pouch size than the non-MU group (34.1 ± 11.8 versus 20.1 ± 6.8 cm3). When analyzed for matched patient cohorts, this difference remained for the MU group that included smokers and PPI use. When stratified for pouch size, for each 5 cm3 increase in pouch size, patients had 2.4 times odds increase of MU formation. CONCLUSIONS: CT volumetric analysis demonstrated that a larger gastric pouch size was associated with MU following RYGB.

Internal hernia at Petersen's space after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 6.2% incidence without closure--a single surgeon series of 1047 cases.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports describing a gastric bypass technique and the need for closure at Petersen's space using an antecolic antegastric laparoscopic method have differed in the incidence of internal hernia. We report a 6.2% incidence without closure of Petersen's space in a 1047-case, single-surgeon practice. METHODS: The data from 1047 patients undergoing antecolic antegastric gastric bypass between January 2001 and December 2006 were prospectively collected and retrospectively evaluated for formation of an internal hernia at Petersen's space. All cases were performed by a single surgeon using an antecolic antegastric technique without closure of the mesenteric space and with division of 5 cm of small bowel mesentery. The biliopancreatic limb length was created at 50 cm during the first 2 years of the study and then at 50 or 100 cm depending on the patient's body mass index. RESULTS: Of the 1047 patients, 73 underwent laparoscopic exploration for varying degrees of abdominal pain, unexplained nausea or vomiting, or radiographic evidence of an internal hernia. Of the 73 cases, 65 were Petersen's space hernias, for an incidence of 6.2%, 7 were mesenteric enteroenterostomy hernias, for an incidence of .7%, and 1 was negative for intra-abdominal pathologic findings. A direct relationship was found between the biliopancreatic limb length and the frequency of biliopancreatic internal hernia formation (P = .0194), and a high rate of false-negative radiographic reports were noted. Subsequent to these 1047 patients, we have had no internal hernias with space closure in 339 cases. CONCLUSION: Closure of Petersen's space is important in preventing the morbidity of reoperation and the incidence of internal hernia.