Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. Gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures are a relatively frequent postoperative complication.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and therapeutic response to through-the-scope balloon dilation performed to treat anastomotic strictures after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

DESIGN:

Single-center, retrospective study.

SETTING:

Academic medical center.

PATIENTS:

Between 1997 and 2005, 801 patients with morbid obesity underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at our institution.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:

The development of an anastomotic stricture after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The response to through-the-scope balloon dilation after diagnosis.

RESULTS:

Forty-three of 801 patients (5.4%) developed an anastomotic stricture (26 of 294 open surgeries [8.8%]; 17 of 507 laparoscopic surgeries [3.4%]; P < .001). Strictures were dilated to 15.5 +/- 0.4 mm. There were no perforations or clinically significant bleeding after dilation; 93% of the strictures were successfully managed with 1 or 2 endoscopic sessions. Dilation to at least 15 mm did not affect weight loss at 1 year when compared with the group without a stricture (percentage excess weight loss: stricture group, 76%; no stricture group, 74%).

LIMITATIONS:

Single-center, retrospective study.

CONCLUSIONS:

Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective method for the management of gastrojejunostomy strictures after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Dilation to at least 15 mm is safe and decreases the need for further endoscopic dilation.