Functional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (F-RYGB), with Preservation of Duodenal Access: Report of Two Revisional Cases of Sleeve Gastrectomy

Objective: This case report aimed to demonstrate a possible neuromuscular effect of Latarjet nerves transection or truncal vagotomy, in association with sleeve gastrectomy plus antrojejunostomy, in order to reproduce a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) mechanistic principles, in patients with previous Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) who had had weight regain, with or without concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric operations worldwide. Nevertheless, weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been consistently demonstrated, in association with this technique, which may require a revisional procedure. RYGB is an option in such a situation but, implies in gastrointestinal exclusions, which represents a shortcoming of this revision. Surpassing this inconvenient would be of great value for the patients. Methods: We describe herein two cases of SG revision for weight regain and GERD, with a follow-up of one year. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was evaluated by validated questionnaire, upper endoscopy, seriography, high resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance pHmetry (I-pHmetry), in the pre and postoperative periods. A re-Sleeve Gastrectomy with antrojejunal anastomosis was done in both cases, after informed consents. The Latarjet nerves were transected in one case, due to a bleeding in the left gastric vessels and a truncal vagotomy was required in the other, to appropriately treat an associated hiatal hernia. Results: In the postoperative evaluation it was observed a pyloric spasm in both cases, during seriography and endoscopy, kept until the one-year follow-up. There was unidirectional contrast flow to the gastrointestinal anastomosis, filling the jejunal limb, in radiologic contrast study. No contrast passed through the pylorus. Nonetheless, the duodenum was kept endoscopically accessible. In the one-year evaluation, weight loss was adequate and GERD resolution was obtained in both cases, confirmed by endoscopic and functional esophageal assessment, together with symptoms questionnaire. Conclusion: The association of Latarjet nerves sectioning or truncal vagotomy with re-sleeve gastrectomy plus gastrointestinal anastomosis (antrojejunal), in a revision for a failed sleeve, can represent a technical approach, to reproduce RYGB results, without exclusions and with duodenum endoscopic accessibility maintenance. It maybe could be applied for primary surgeries. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

SADI-S with Extended Duodeno-Bulb Preservation: Case Report

Obesity has been growing in Brazil and in the world. It is reaching epidemic proportions, and bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with this disease. Among the procedures described in the literature, ileal surgeries such as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) present better long-term results in terms of weight loss and comorbidities control. However, there are concerns regarding long term nutritional problems with these procedures. In this case report the aim is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of preserving an extended duodenal bulb segment, in the SADIS-S procedure, when there are difficulties in dissecting the retrobulbar region, as occurred here, due to fibrosis in this area. This assures the maintenance of the proposed surgical technique, in such a situation. The dissection and transection of the duodenum was done 7 cm distally to the pylorus, under endoscopic view, proximally to the papillae, where the tissue was normal. Additionally, due the importance of the duodenal mucosa on minerals and trace elements absorption and the release of important hormones in this region, this case report elicits the evaluation of the impact of this technical modification, which occurred casually, in the nutritional, hormonal and metabolic results, long term. In this case report, the extended duodenal length has demonstrated reasonable weight loss, adequate comorbidities control and good nutritional status, so far. These aspects must be evaluated in the long term, by clinical trials.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Associated with Antral Lesion Resection and Roux-en-Y Antrojejunal Reconstruction

Obesity has been growing worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions. Bariatric surgery is the most effective and durable treatment for severe obesity and related diseases. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) are the most frequently performed bariatric operations, with long-term good results, in terms of weight loss and comorbidities control. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is commonly associated with obesity. In general, it precludes the indication of sleeve gastrectomy, since this technique has a refluxogenic potential, as shown in many studies. In such cases, RYGB is considered the best surgery, reaching good weight loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease control. The drawback of this technique is that it leaves the remnant stomach, the duodenum, and the proximal part of the jejunum inaccessible. Besides, RYGB makes transoral endoscopic access to the biliary tree impossible. For all these reasons, this bariatric technique is not indicated in cases of gastric polyposis, gastric dysplasia, or strong family history of cancer, among others. We report a case of a morbidly obese patient with intense GERD, for whom a RYGB was precluded due to her strong family history of cancer, even knowing that it would be the best choice for reflux disease control. Instead, SG was chosen, even knowing it could worsen the gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient signed an informed consent, after being fully enlightened about the risks. During the surgery, a small subserosal whitish lesion was detected, near the pylorus, on the anterior wall of the antrum. Thinking in a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), it was resected, with a 2 cm safety margin, leaving a 4 to 5 cm hole on the gastric wall. The decision to maintain the proposed sleeve gastrectomy was made, to avoid leaving a remnant stomach, in a patient with such a strong family history of cancer. In the area of the resected lesion, an intraoperative decision was made not to just close the big gastric hole, being afraid of causing some anatomic or functional disturbance in gastric emptying. Instead, we decided to use the gastric opening to construct a Roux-en-Y antrotrojejunal anastomosis, with a 50 cm alimentary limb and a 200 cm biliopancreatic limb. Accordingly, it was performed a sleeve gastrectomy, associated with an antrojejunostomy in a Roux-en-Y fashion. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. In the second year, she achieved normal weight and good nutritional status, without gastroesophageal reflux symptoms complaints. Seriography study shows that most of the contrast material passes through the antrojejunal anastomosis, instead of the pylorus, while the duodenum is endoscopically patent. This case report shows an unexpected surgical finding that led to a tactic of adding a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the antrum, associated with a sleeve gastrectomy, a strategy that may be adopted in cases of morbidly obese patients with important GERD, for whom gastrointestinal exclusions are contraindicated. To confirm this hypothesis, controlled studies are needed.