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Gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss and patient satisfaction 5 years after gastric bypass: a study of three techniques for the gastrojejunal anastomosis

Surgical Endoscopy volume 30, pages 1553–1558 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The optimal operative technique in gastric bypass (RYGB) is still under debate. We have studied patient-reported gastrointestinal symptoms and weight loss 5 years after RYGB performed with three different stapling techniques for the gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJ).

Methods

Out of 593 patients operated with RYGB, 489 patients [80.2 % women, body mass index (BMI) 44.9 (33–68) kg/m2] answered our 5-year follow-up questionnaire concerning gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, reflux, dumping, abdominal pain or diarrhea), weight loss, need for postoperative endoscopic interventions and overall satisfaction with the procedure. We compared the results for three different GJ techniques: linear stapler (LS, n = 103), 21-mm circular stapler (C21, n = 88) and 25-mm circular stapler (C25, n = 298).

Results

Dumping was the most commonly reported symptom (14.1 % of all patients on a weekly to daily basis), however, less frequently reported in the C25 group (p < 0.05). Vomiting, prevalent in 2.9 % of all patients, was more frequently reported in the C21 group (p < 0.01). No group consistently showed greater weight loss compared to the other two groups. A higher incidence of endoscopic dilatations due to strictures was reported in the C21 group (12.5 % compared to 4.5 % of all patients, p < 0.05). Overall patient satisfaction was high (88 %).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the technique for the construction of the GJ in RYGB affects gastrointestinal symptoms 5 years postoperatively. The difference is moderate but indicates that a narrow GJ results in increased frequency of vomiting and need for endoscopic interventions without improving the weight result.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    E. Sima, J. Hedberg & M. Sundbom

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  1. E. Sima
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  2. J. Hedberg
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  3. M. Sundbom
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Correspondence to E. Sima.

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Disclosure

Dr. Jakob Hedberg did some consultant work for Astra Zeneca during the past 2 years. Drs. Magnus Sundbom and Eduardo Sima have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Sima, E., Hedberg, J. & Sundbom, M. Gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss and patient satisfaction 5 years after gastric bypass: a study of three techniques for the gastrojejunal anastomosis. Surg Endosc 30, 1553–1558 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4374-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4374-8

Keywords

  • Gastric bypass
  • Gastrojejunostomy
  • Stapling technique
  • Weight loss
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Long-term results