title: Usefulness of x-ray in the detection of complications and side effects after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a surgical procedure which reduces the gastric volume causing a feeling of early fullness while decreasing hunger due to a reduced secretion of ghrelin. This leads to a considerable loss of body weight. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of early x-ray examination and subsequent x-ray follow-up in the detection of postoperative complications and long-term functional recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2010 to April 2011, 101 consecutive patients underwent LSG for morbid obesity and were subsequently included in this retrospective study. All patients were submitted to early x-ray examination 1-3 days after surgery and x-ray follow-up 3-6 months after surgery to detect the presence and persistence of surgical and functional complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early postoperative x-ray examination detected one case of suture leakage 1 day after surgery as well as one abscess and one gastric fistula in two patients who had become symptomatic 9 and 10 days after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early x-ray examination showed that complications were mainly functional and rarely surgical. Subsequent follow-up showed that functional disturbances were significantly reduced over time. X-ray is an easy and reliable method for detecting complications and side effects of LSG. However, in view of the extremely low incidence of surgical complications revealed at the early x-ray examination, this procedure may not be required as a routine examination in all operated patients and should be performed only in patients who become symptomatic and those considered at risk of developing more serious complications.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Roma la "Sapienza", Viale del Policlinico, 155-00161, Rome, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gnecchi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bella
authors: A R
authors: AR
authors: Pino
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Staltari
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Di Leo
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Polli
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Drudi
mesh_terms: D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine