Post bariatric surgery acute axonal polyneuropathy: Doing your best is not always enough

Abstract

Neurological complications are frequently recognized with weight reduction surgeries for morbid obesity. The spectrum of peripheral neuropathies complicating the weight loss surgery is wide, and among them, the acute axonal peripheral neuropathy resembling Guillain-Barre syndrome is rare and only less than a dozen cases are reported. We present three cases, which after bariatric surgery developed acute polyneuropathy that rapidly progressed over 4 weeks from the onset. All patients responded to aggressive parenteral Vitamin B1 and B12 replacement therapy. These cases highlight the fact that bariatric surgery although is a promising option to treat morbid obesity; it is certainly not devoid of potential neurological complications due to micronutrient deficiencies. Delay in the diagnosis of acute polyneuropathy may worsen its long-term sequelae. A multidisciplinary team management with careful nutritional monitoring at regular interval is crucial in all patients for early recognition and intervention to avoid these complications after bariatric surgery.