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.
Lynch
Bruce A
BA
Department of General Surgery, Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, MS 39534, USA. bruce.lynch@keesler.af.mil
Dolan
James P
JP
Mann
Michael
M
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