[Analysis of the dumping syndrome on morbid obese patients submitted to Roux en Y gastric bypass]

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to determine the real prevalence and characteristics of dumping syndrome in a series of cases submitted to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity.

Methods: We assessed dumping symptoms in 34 patients who had undergone that procedure; they filled a questionnaire, which included the dumping clinical diagnosis score proposed by Sigstad.

Results: regarding patients' complaints, dumping prevalence was 44%. This number increased to 76% when applying the Sigstad's score. The most frequent symptoms were 'need for lying down' (88%), fatigue (69%) and sleepiness (69%). Only 28% of the dumpers felt incapable of performing everyday activities. There was no difference in weight loss percentage between dumpers and non-dumpers.

Conclusion: The Sigstad score is an usefull tool for the diagnostic of dumping, but a critic vision must be adopted when using in patients submitted to the Roux en Y gastric bypass. The dumping syndrome was frequent in this group, although usually under-diagnosed; it neither hampers patients' everyday activities considerably, nor helps in the weight-loosing process.