Anastomotic leak following antecolic versus retrocolic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is the most commonly performed operation for the treatment of morbid obesity in the United States. Previous reports suggest that postoperative complications may be influenced by Roux limb orientation (antecolic versus retrocolic), although this remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with anastomotic leaks following LRYGBP with an antecolic- versus retrocolic-routed Roux limb.


METHODS
During the 2-year period of June 2003 to June 2005, 353 patients underwent a LRYGBP. 135 were antecolic and 218 retrocolic. All cases were performed by one of three bariatric surgeons. The decision to perform antecolic versus retrocolic LRYGBP was left to the surgeon's preference. The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leak.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 28 weeks. There were no perioperative deaths. Overall complication rate was 16.9%. 17 gastrojejunal leaks (4.8%) were identified, consisting of 12 intraoperative leaks (3.4%) and 5 postoperative leaks (1.4%). Postoperative gastrojejunal leak rate was higher in the antecolic group (P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Mortality and complication rates were consistent with reported benchmarks on the efficacy and safety of LRYGBP. Our review suggests that anastomotic leak may be more common after antecolic than after retrocolic LRYGBP for morbid obesity. A prospective randomized study is needed to determine whether antecolically-routed Roux limb is an independent predictor for anastomotic leak following LRYGBP.
Edwards
Michael A
MA
Assistance Professor of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
Jones
Daniel B
DB
Ellsmere
James
J
Grinbaum
Ronit
R
Schneider
Benjamin E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology