Laparoscopic gastric bypass with subtotal gastrectomy for a super-obese patient with Biermer anemia

Abstract

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is a common procedure for morbid obesity. After RYGBP, the bypassed stomach is unavailable for follow-up. Biermer anemia is an autoimmune atrophic gastritis inducing vitamin B12 deficiency and it is a risk factor for gastric carcinoma. A 41-year-old woman with a long history of morbid obesity presented with a BMI of 56 kg/m2. She had anemia (Hb 9.9 g/dL), and atrophic gastritis was found endoscopically. We performed a laparoscopic RYGBP with subtotal gastrectomy, to avoid the risk of gastric carcinoma in the bypassed stomach. The patient was discharged 9 days after the operation without complication. At 18 months follow-up, her BMI was 39 kg/m2 (50% excess weight loss). Laparoscopic RYGBP with subtotal gastrectomy is a safe treatment for morbid obesity, which should be considered for patients with a risk factor for gastric carcinoma.