Revisional surgery in severe nutritional complications after bariatric surgical procedures: Report of four cases from a single institution and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: bariatric surgery is currently the only treatment that leads to long-term and sustained weight loss and decreased morbidity and mortality in morbidly obese individuals. Roux-en-Y bypass causes weight loss by restricting food intake associated with reduced intestinal absorption, in addition to multiple endocrine and satiogenic effects. Biliopancreatic diversion promotes weight loss mainly due to poor absorption of the nutrients ingested. Both procedures exclude parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Objective: to describe four cases of revisional surgery after primary bariatric surgery, due to serious nutritional complications, and to review the literature regarding this subject. Methods: a retrospective analysis of patients of Unicamps bariatric center database and review of the literatures were performed. Results: four patients were identified, 2 women and 2 men, with a mean age of 48 years. The mean body mass index before revisional surgery was 23.7 kg/m2. Three patients underwent Scopinaro biliopancreatic diversion, and onde patient underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The revisional surgeries were revision, conversion, and reversion. One patient died. For the review of the literature 12 articles remained (11 case reports and 1 case series). Another five important original articles were included. Conclusion: fortunately, revision surgery is rarely necessary, but when indicated it has increased morbidity, It can be revision, reverion or conversion according to the severity of the patient and the primary surgery performed.