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Anastomotic Complications Following RYGB: Can Ulcers/Strictures BE Predicted?
Shushmita Ahmed*, Alex Taylor, Chhavi Bajaj, Dylan Gwaltney, Kate Kiely, John M. Morton
Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Background. Two of the most common complications following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are anastomotic strictures and marginal ulcers. Our study aims to find predictors of stricture and marginal ulcer formation to better prevent these complications. Methods. At a single academic institution, between 2004 and 2010, we measured the preoperative and 12 month weights, laboratory values, preoperative comorbidities and postoperative complications in 992 patients undergoing RYGB. Of these, 20 patients developed anastomotic strictures and 17 patients developed marginal ulcers. Lab values included platelet counts, C-reactive protein levels, hemoglobin A1C levels, as well as lipid and complete metabolic panels. Data were analyzed using Students’ T tests and ANOVAs. Results. Among patients without strictures/ulcers (non s/u), patients with strictures (s), and patients with ulcers (u), there was no significant difference in: age at surgery (44.2 vs 44.0 vs 43.7, p=0.98); preoperative BMI (46.7 vs 47.0 vs 47.4, p=0.91); preoperative CRP levels (10.3 mg/dl vs 13.2 mg/dl vs 8.8 mg/dl, p=0.49); preoperative hA1C levels (6.3% vs 6.1% vs 6.0%, p=0.42); percent of patients with a history of H. pylori (18.8 vs 14.0 vs 16.7; p=0.991); operative time (184.8 m vs 202.7 m vs 200.1 m; p=0.28); or LOS (3.3 d vs 2.7 d vs 3.2 d; 0.81). There was a significant difference, however, in the number of preoperative comorbidities with which the patients presented (non s/u- 3.96; s- 6.20; u- 5.47; p<0.01). There was a trending difference between the preoperative waist circumference of those without strictures/ulcers and those with strictures (132.8 cm vs 150.1cm; p=0.097). The average time of diagnosis after surgery was 2.86 months for strictures and 12.6 months for ulcers (p<0.01). Post operatively, there was a significant difference in the percent of patients who had at least one complication (excluding strictures and ulcers) among the three groups (non s/u-11%; s-10%; u-47%). There was a significant difference in the percent of patients who were readmitted after surgery (non s/u-7.9%; s-60%; u-69%) and were reoperated upon (non-s/u- 4.0%; s-22%; u-44%). Finally, there is a trending difference in 12 month % excess weight loss among the three groups (non s/u-83.9%; s-97.8%; u-97%; p=0.082). Conclusion. Patients with strictures and ulcers tend to have more preoperative comorbidities than patients without strictures/ulcers. Patients with strictures or ulcers have a greater likelihood of readmittance and reoperation. Finally, patients with strictures or ulcers have a greater %EWL at 12 months than patients without these complications.


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