title: The early use of Roux limb as surgical treatment for proximal postsleeve gastrectomy leaks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is thought to be a simpler and safer operation compared with malabsorptive operations that include an enteric anastomosis. Leakage along the staple line at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is difficult to treat and is a known complication of sleeve gastrectomy. Nonsurgical treatment methods often fail to heal the leaks and patients often require conversion to other procedures for definitive treatment. We report our experience with conversion to Roux-en-Y anastomosis over the leak site as a treatment option, comparing patients who had early treatment to late intervention. The purpose of the study is to stress the medical and social benefits of early surgical reintervention with conversion to Roux-en-Y anastomosis over the leak site.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients underwent Roux limb placement over the leak site. Four of the patients had delayed surgery (group A), and the other 2 had early intervention (group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in group A had a median increase of all medical cost by 500%, whereas the 2 patients who underwent early intervention (group B) had an increase by 200%. The mean time until complete recovery (removal of all drains, adequate oral intake, and return to normal daily activity) in group A was 131.25 days (range 99-165) versus 38 days (range 28-48) in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy over the leak site is an effective technique to treat refractory staple line leakage and can be adopted as early treatment in selected patients after stabilization, thereby reducing the cost and length of hospital stays.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Lebanon Hospital, Hazmieh, Lebanon. Electronic address: dr.chour@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohomad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chour
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ramzi S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Alami
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Lebanon Hospital, Hazmieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sleilaty
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Lebanon Hospital, Hazmieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wakim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000379:methods; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; Roux limb anastomosis; Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy; gastroesophageal junction leak