As with any surgical procedure, mini gastric bypass surgery, or laparoscopic loop gastric bypass, can have serious complications. Mini gastric bypass, or MGB, is a revised version of the loop gastric bypass, an early form of bariatric, or weight loss, surgery. Because MGB is laparoscopic, it is a minimally invasive type of surgery. A surgeon uses the stomach to create a small gastric pouch that is connected to the small intestines via a loop formed from the bowels. A major concern with MGB is the potential for intestinal fluid to flow into the esophagus.
Bile Reflux
In the October 2007 issue of "Archives of Surgery," Dr. Brendan J. Collins wrote that while laparoscopic loop gastric bypass surgery is a technically easier procedure than other gastric bypass surgeries, the loop mechanism can allow bile to flow from the bowels to the esophagus. Over time, this bile reflux can damage both the esophagus and the gastric pouch.
Esophagitis
Enzymes or bile flowing from the small intestines to the esophagus can cause esophagitis. Esophagitis occurs when the esophagus becomes irritated and inflamed. The esophagus leads from the mouth to the stomach. The condition can cause painful swallowing and heartburn. In severe cases, lesions can develop along the lining of the esophagus.
Leak
Another complication of MGB is fluid leak, which can occur at the loop site, the point where the bowels are connected to the gastric pouch. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious infection that can require hospitalization or even additional surgery to repair. In the December 2006 issue of "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases," Dr. Daniel Cottam examined the adverse event, or reason for litigation, behind 100 consumer lawsuits against bariatric surgeons. In 53 percent of cases, leak was the adverse event.
Small-Bowel Obstruction
Small-bowel obstruction is a major complication of MGB. Fortunately it is rare, occurring in just 4 percent of MGB patients, reports a 2007 article published in the journal "Obesity Surgery." A bowel obstruction can develop following MGB surgery. A hernia can form or adhesions, which are fibrous tissue, can develop at the incision site or even inside the gastric pouch. Small-bowel obstructions can form up to a month following MGB surgery. The obstructions must be surgically removed.
References
- "Archives of Surgery"; Gastric Bypass; Brendan J. Collins, M.D.; October 2007
- "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases"; Medicolegal Analysis of 100 Malpractice Claims Against Bariatric Surgeons; Daniel Cottam, M.D.; December 2006
- "Obesity Surgery"; Mini-Gastric Bypass by Mini-Laparotomy: A Cost-Effective Alternative in the Laparoscopic Era; Roger Noun, M.D.; November 2007
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