Perforating marginal ulcers after laparoscopic gastric bypass

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LGB) can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. This article describes the first presentation of a known disease entity after LGB: perforating marginal ulcers of the jejunum immediately distal to the gastrojejunal anastomosis.

Methods: A chart review of 902 LGB procedures performed by a single surgeon between April 2000 and September 2004 identified eight patients with perforating marginal ulcers.

Results: The patients presented an average of 157 days (range, 53-374 days) after LGB. All the patients were treated using laparoscopic primary closure followed by medical therapy. Morbidity, in one patient only, consisted of two abdominal fluid collections requiring separate drainage procedures. There was no mortality. The average follow-up period was 13 months (range, 2-18 months). No patient experienced recurrent ulceration.

Conclusions: Although the etiology is unclear, marginal ulcers, a known complication of gastrojejunostomy, may present as perforating ulcers after LGB in a characteristic fashion and can be managed laparoscopically.