Experience of imaging following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to report our experience with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast studies and computed tomography (CT) swallow studies after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and comment on the merits of each modality.


METHODS
Retrospective review of all patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in a New Zealand hospital between 2011 and 2014 was conducted. Over this time period, routine UGI was replaced by CT swallow studies. All medical records and radiology were reviewed and pertinent findings reported.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine patients underwent LSG over this time period and one patient had to be excluded; 48 (61.5%) had a UGI study and 30 patients (38.5%) had CT swallow. There were no leaks in this study and no leaks became clinically significant. Sixteen of 30 patients (53.3%) undergoing CT swallow had significant incidental findings demonstrated on axial imaging that required follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
CT swallow can provide the same information as a UGI but has a significant rate of incidental findings. The rate of incidental pathology on CT is higher than that quoted in the general population. In a bariatric population, this may allow early detection and treatment of co-existent pathology.
Department of General Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.|Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Ineke
I
Meredith
Department of General Surgery, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
Yu Kai
YK
Lim
Department of General Surgery, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
Susrutha K
SK
Wickremesekera
Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.|Department of General Surgery, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.|Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Simon
S
Bann
D000328:Adult; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
bariatric surgery; laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; radiology