Effect of location and speed of diagnosis on anastomotic leak outcomes in 3828 gastric bypass cases.
BACKGROUND
Leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are a major cause of mortality. This study attempts to define the relationship between the leak site, time from surgery to detection, and outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 3,828 gastric bypass procedures.


RESULTS
Of the leaks (3.9% overall), 60/2,337 (2.6%) occurred after open gastric bypass, 57/1,080 (5.2%) after laparoscopic gastric bypass, and 33/411 (8.0%) after revisions. Overall leak-related mortality after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was 0.6% (22/3,828). Mortality rate from gastrojejunostomy leaks (38 in the open gastric bypass, and 43 in the laparoscopic) was higher in the open group than the laparoscopic group (18.4 vs 2.3%, p = 0.015). Median time of detection for a gastrojejunostomy leak in the open group was longer than in the laparoscopic group (3 vs 1 days, Wilcoxon score p < 0.001). Jejunojejunostomy (JJ) leak was associated with a 40% mortality rate. Initial upper gastrointestinal series did not detect 9/10 jejunojejunostomy leaks. Median detection time was longer in the jejunojejunostomy leak group than the gastrojejunostomy leak group (4 vs 2 days, p = 0.037).


CONCLUSIONS
Leak mortality and time of detection was higher after open gastric bypass than laparoscopic gastric bypass. GBP patients with normal upper gastrointestinal (UGI) studies may harbor leaks, especially at the JJ or excluded stomach. Normal UGI findings should not delay therapy if clinical signs suggest a leak.
Lee
Sukhyung
S
Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Carmody
Brennan
B
Wolfe
Luke
L
Demaria
Eric
E
Kellum
John M
JM
Sugerman
Harvey
H
Maher
James W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors