Thyrotoxicosis after gastric bypass surgery prompting operative re-exploration.
In the last 10 years, gastric bypass has become an increasingly common operation performed by general surgeons. The complications resulting from this procedure can be life-threatening and are often difficult to diagnose, particularly in the immediate postoperative period. We detail a case of thyrotoxicosis manifesting on postoperative day 1 which presented with symptoms mimicking an anastomotic leak. The patient underwent a negative laparoscopy before the thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed. There is no evidence that bariatric surgery carries a greater risk of postoperative thyrotoxicosis than any other non-thyroid operation. Many of the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, however, are similar to those of other surgery-related complications, and it should be immediately considered in the differential diagnosis of a postoperative bariatric patient with tachycardia and fever. Failure to rule out this condition may lead to unnecessary surgery.
Department of General Surgery, Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, MS 39534, USA. bruce.lynch@keesler.af.mil
Bruce A
BA
Lynch
James P
JP
Dolan
Michael
M
Mann
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D008790:Metoprolol