Cholecystectomy increases the risk of dumping syndrome and postbariatric hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Background: Dumping syndrome (DS) and postbariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) are frequent complications of bariatric surgery. Bile acids (BA) have been implicated in their pathogenesis because both bariatric surgery and cholecystectomy (CCx) are known to modulate human BA metabolism.

Objectives: Our investigation aimed to compare the prevalence of self-reported complaints of DS and PBH in postbariatric patients with and without CCx.

Setting: A large peripheral hospital in the Netherlands.

Methods: All patients who underwent bariatric surgery in 2008-2011 received standardized questionnaires on DS/PBH complaints. The relative risk (RR) of CCx was calculated as the risk of perceived DS and PBH in patients with and without CCx.

Results: Of 590 participants, 146 (25%) had CCx before assessment of DS/PBH complaints. Participants were mostly female (82%) with median age of 46 years (interquartile range, 39-53). The RR for DS after CCx was higher in patients with body mass index <30 kg/m² at the study (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.04-2.42; P = .007) and in primary Roux-and-Y gastric bypass surgery patients (RR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.10-2.42; P = .018). Detailed analysis of the latter group associated women, age younger than 50 years, without diabetes and (most prominently) with excess weight loss ≥70% (RR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.57-4.77; P = .0004) with greater risk of DS. The RR for PBH was higher after CCx in sleeve gastrectomy patients (RR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.00-20.3; P = .036).

Conclusion: High suspicion of DS and PBH after CCx is increased after bariatric surgery in certain subgroups, suggesting involvement of altered BA metabolism in their pathophysiology.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Bile acids; Cholecystectomy; Dumping syndrome; Gastric bypass; Postbariatric hypoglycemia.