Investigation of the excluded stomach after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract

Background: One problem with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is that it leaves the bypassed segment not readily available for endoscopic or radiographic examinations.

Materials and methods: Three males, 50, 54 and 64 years old, suffered from repeated, gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin requiring transfusion 1/2, 1 and 7 years after RYGBP. Access to the stomach was obtained by an ultrasound-guided percutaneous gastrostomy.

Results: We could perform endoscopy, barium studies and gastric acid output measurements through the gastrostomy. Histological gastritis, low acid output and absence of H. pylori infection were found.

Conclusion: We were able to exclude severe gastric disease in our patients.