INTRODUCTION: The aim is to report the diagnostic strategy, clinical findings and treatment in patients admitted on suspicion of early or late complications associated with a previous laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients admitted in 2011-2012 to our department with the International Classification of Diseases 10 code DZ980C (condition with a gastric bypass) were identified using the Hospital register system. Patient data included co-morbidity, time between LRYGB and the actual admission, body mass index development, diagnostic strategy, clinical findings and treatment of complications. Early and late complications were defined as </> 30 days post-operatively. RESULTS: Among 186 patients, the primary early complication was leakage or unexplained abdominal pain. Internal hernia or unexplained abdominal pain was observed most frequently as a late complication. The majority of patients had a computed tomography performed as their first diagnostic procedure. 19% of patients who were operated for internal hernia underwent a re-operation. Among patients undergoing laparoscopy, 72% had internal hernia and 20% had a leak. The length of stay was 18 days for patients with leakage compared to three days for patients with internal hernia. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the primary early complication of LRYGB patients was leakage, and internal hernia was the most frequent late complication. A substantial number of the patients who are readmitted after LRYGB suffer from unexplained abdominal pain that should be managed by specialised centres. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
INTRODUCTION: The aim is to report the diagnostic strategy, clinical findings and treatment in patients admitted on suspicion of early or late complications associated with a previous laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). MATERIAL AND METHODS:Patients admitted in 2011-2012 to our department with the International Classification of Diseases 10 code DZ980C (condition with a gastric bypass) were identified using the Hospital register system. Patient data included co-morbidity, time between LRYGB and the actual admission, body mass index development, diagnostic strategy, clinical findings and treatment of complications. Early and late complications were defined as </> 30 days post-operatively. RESULTS: Among 186 patients, the primary early complication was leakage or unexplained abdominal pain. Internal hernia or unexplained abdominal pain was observed most frequently as a late complication. The majority of patients had a computed tomography performed as their first diagnostic procedure. 19% of patients who were operated for internal hernia underwent a re-operation. Among patients undergoing laparoscopy, 72% had internal hernia and 20% had a leak. The length of stay was 18 days for patients with leakage compared to three days for patients with internal hernia. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the primary early complication of LRYGB patients was leakage, and internal hernia was the most frequent late complication. A substantial number of the patients who are readmitted after LRYGB suffer from unexplained abdominal pain that should be managed by specialised centres. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.