title: The significance of histologic examination of gastrectomy specimens: a clinicopathologic study of 511 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is quickly becoming the preferred procedure for bariatric surgery. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines, routine preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopies are not recommended universally for bariatric surgery. Some studies have shown that the histologic examination of SG specimens is insignificant and not a cost-effective practice. However, some speculate SG examination may unveil pertinent findings and prevent further progression of precursor lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to explore the clinically significant or actionable lesions that can be revealed with SG examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed 511 SG specimens obtained during bariatric surgery. Incidental findings were grouped in 2 categories: clinically significant/actionable and minor lesions. The clinically significant lesions accounted for 5.8%. This category included 5 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor; one case of MALT lymphoma; 4 cases of autoimmune gastritis with concomitant pancreatic metaplasia or neuroendocrine dysplasia. Intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia was identified in 3 cases; 14 cases of Helicobacter pylori associated active gastritis; 1 case of iron pill induced gastritis and 1 case of gastric glandular siderosis. The minor lesions accounted for 6.3%, showing findings other than chronic gastritis. This category included 19 cases of fundic polyps and 1 case of hyperplastic polyp; one case of leiomyoma; 11 cases of H pylori negative active gastritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of histopathology results after SG showed no significant changes. However, a few cases had clinically significant lesions in seemingly healthy patients, altering patient's postoperative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA. Electronic address: pkopach@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kopach
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Genega
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Sajani N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Julie J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Yvelisse
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suarez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Sleeve gastrectomy; histopathology; incidental findings