Kellogg, Todd A.

Background: Gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomotic stenosis is a well-described complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB); however, its impact on weight loss outcomes is not well elucidated. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent RYGB at our institution between 2008 and 2020. Propensity score matching was used to match 30 patients who developed GJ stenosis within the first 30 days post-RYGB with 120 control patients who did not develop this outcome. Short and long-term complications and mean percentage of total body weight loss (TWL) were recorded at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 to 5 years, and 5 to 10 years postoperatively. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was used to analyze the association between early GJ stenosis and the mean percentage of TWL. Results: Patients who developed early GJ stenosis had a 13.6% increase in the mean percentage of TWL when compared with controls in the hierarchical linear model [P < 0.001 (95% CI: 5.7; 21.5)]. These patients were also more likely to present to an intravenous infusion center (70% vs 4%; P < 0.01), require readmission within 30 days (16.7% vs 2.5%; P < 0.01), and/or develop an internal hernia (23.3% vs 5.0%) postoperatively. Conclusions: Patients who develop early GJ stenosis after RYGB have a greater degree of long-term weight loss compared with patients who do not develop this complication. Although our findings support the key contribution that restrictive mechanisms play in maintaining weight loss after RYGB, GJ stenosis remains a complication associated with significant morbidity.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for weight loss and obesity-related comorbidity resolution. However, bariatric surgery is not readily offered in specific populations due to the lack of data assessing its feasibility. This study intends to evaluate bariatric surgery in patients with an existing ostomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series to assess the safety of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in patients with an end ileostomy or colostomy. Patient demographics, including obesity-related comorbidities, overall health status (American Society of Anesthesiologists score), and short-term complications (up to 30 days postoperatively), were analyzed. Results: Six patients were included. The mean age was 58 years, and the mean preoperative body mass index was 41.6. Three patients had a colostomy, and three had an ileostomy. The mean time of ostomy before surgery was 11 years. Two ostomies were due to trauma, two due to inflammatory bowel disease, one due to cancer, and one due to scleroderma. Mean postoperative follow-up was 23 months. No patient had increased ostomy output or infusion center visit. One patient had an ED visit, one had a short-term complication, and one had SG conversion to RYGB. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is technically feasible in selected patients with ileostomy/colostomy with a reasonable short-term safety profile.