Cutaneous fistula from the gastric remnant resulting from a chronic suture-associated biofilm infection.

A 53-year-old woman developed three chronic draining sinuses after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; these persisted for almost 1 year despite antibiotics and local wound care. At approximately 1 year post-operatively, the drainage from the most superior sinus increased significantly and assumed a greenish hue, prompting concerns for gastrocutaneous fistula despite negative radiologic evaluation. At surgery, the patient was found to have a retained permanent multifilament suture at the base of each sinus, with associated inflammatory and fibrous tissue and a "slimy" matrix. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of both the explanted sutures and investing soft tissue revealed extensive bacterial biofilm formation. Also at surgery, a frank fistulous track was noted communicating the most superior suture/sinus to the gastric remnant, necessitating laparotomy and remnant gastrectomy in addition to removal of the foreign bodies (sutures) and concomitant panniculectomy. The patient has subsequently been free of complaint or finding for over 3 years.

Perioperative management of cholelithiasis in patients presenting for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: have we reached a consensus?

Obesity and rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with, the development of cholelithiasis and related complications. Several algorithms have been suggested in the management of the asymptomatic gallstones in patients presenting for weight loss surgery (WLS). Charts of patients presenting for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y (LRYGB) were retrospectively reviewed. Concomitant or delayed cholecystectomies were performed for symptomatic disease at the time of or after LRYGB, respectively. A total of 1376 patients underwent LRYGB and 21.0 per cent had a history of a cholecystectomy. An additional 2.7 per cent underwent cholecystectomy. The remaining 1050 "at-risk" patients were followed for a mean of 32.3 months and 4.9 per cent underwent delayed cholecystectomy for symptomatic disease. Of these patients, 88.5 per cent presented within 2 years of LRYGB. No significant morbidities were experienced by the "at-risk" cohort. Currently, there is no consensus in the treatment of asymptomatic cholelithiasis in patients presenting for WLS. A conservative regimen of reserving cholecystectomy for symptomatic disease is safe in patients undergoing LRYGB. Subsequent cholecystectomy was required in 4.9% with the majority of these patients presenting within 2 years of LRYGB. Further investigations in the form of randomized, prospective studies are necessary to clearly define the indications for cholecystectomy at the time of WLS.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a case series and review of the literature.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary pathology. ERCP in patients that have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is particularly challenging because traditional transoral endoscopy may be limited. We present our experience with ERCP after RYGB and review the literature. In 2007 eight patients underwent ERCP after RYGB using open or laparoscopic transgastric access. After introduction of pneumoperitoneum, a total of four ports were placed. A purse-string was placed around a gastrotomy 4 to 6cm proximal to the pylorus. The endoscope was introduced through a 15 mm left-upper-quadrant port and the gastrotomy. Endoscopy was then performed. Laparoscopic gastrotomy was used in all patients that underwent a previous laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) (n = 6) and open gastrotomy was used for patients with a previous open RYGB (n = 2). Cannulation and interventions in the pancreaticobiliary tree were successful in all cases. There were no postoperative complications. Laparoscopic transgastric ERCP after LRYGB is feasible, highly successful, may be performed expeditiously, and does not seem to add significant morbidity to the procedure. The ability to perform ERCP in this patient population is critical due to their tendency to have preexisting biliary disease and to develop gallstones and the associated complications.

Pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Early reports described adverse perinatal outcomes of pregnancies after weight loss surgery (WLS), which subsequently raised concerns regarding safety. Our objective was to investigate, in a community-based, academic, tertiary care center, the safety of pregnancies after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and its potential effect on obesity-related perinatal complications. METHODS: The pregnancy outcomes of patients delivering infants after LRYGB at our institution were compared with those of control subjects (stratified by body mass index) who had not undergone WLS. The charts were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, delivery route, and perinatal complications. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients who delivered after LRYGB and 254 controls were identified. The mean interval from LRYGB to conception was 25.4 +/- 13.0 months. In general, the perinatal complications in the LRYGB patients were similar to those in the nonobese controls and lower than in the obese and severe obese controls, although statistical significance was not noted for all complications. No spontaneous abortions or stillbirths occurred in the LRYGB patients. No LRYGB patients required intravenous nutrition or hydration. The overall incidence of cesarean section in the LRYGB patients was similar to that in the obese and severely obese controls but significantly greater than that in the nonobese controls. The complication rates were similar in pregnancies occurring "early" (<12 mo) versus "late" (>18 mo) after LRYGB. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that pregnancy after LRYGB is safe, with an incidence of perinatal complications similar to that of nonobese patients, and lower than that of obese and severely obese patients, who had not undergone WLS. Larger studies are required to demonstrate statistically significant improvements in outcome in patients treated with WLS.

Improvement in infertility and pregnancy outcomes after weight loss surgery.

The majority of bariatric surgical procedures are performed in young women. There is a concern about safety and outcomes of pregnancies after weight loss surgery. Pregnancy after weight loss surgery is not only safe, but is associated with more favorable outcomes in comparison to obese populations who do not undergo weight loss surgery. An interval of 2 years is recommended from surgery to pregnancy. This delay helps avoid most of the potential nutritional complications. Optimal patient care is achieved in an experienced, multidisciplinary center. Early involvement of the bariatric surgeon in evaluating abdominal pain is critical because the underlying pathology may relate to the previous weight loss surgery. Although infertility is improved after weight loss surgery, reliable modes of contraception may be limited in this population.