Recurrent internal hernias after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: An observational study in 1219 patients over 20 years

Abstract

Abstract Objective Internal hernia (IH) represents a well-known complication and the major cause of bowel obstruction after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for morbid obesity. With the worldwide rise of performed RYGB, IH will become more frequent in the coming years. Lots of studies already addressed this issue to prevent its occurrence and improve its management. The aim of this study is to assess incidence and patterns of recurrence of IH. Methods A retrospective single-centre analysis was performed of prospectively collected follow-up data from patients who underwent a RYGB between January 2000 and December 2017 and who developed IH thereafter. Follow-up data were reviewed until December 2020. Both open (51) and laparoscopic procedures (1168) were included. All RYGB were performed using the antecolic technique with routine closure of the Petersen’s space (PS) and the mesenteric defect beneath the jejunojejunostomy (JJ). Only open mesenteric defects with incarcerated small bowel at the time of operation were considered as IH. Results One hundred thirty four patients presented with IH and all events occurred in the laparoscopic group (11.5%). Among the 134 patients with IH, a recurrence was observed in 35 patients (26.1%) after a median time of 13 months (range, 0-124) since the first IH. Seven patients presented more than 2 episodes of IH, among them one patient with 7 episodes. The median weight loss between the first and the second episode of IH was 0.0kg (range, -11.5-19.0) and the median percentage of excess weight loss achieved since the RYGB at the occurrence of the second IH was 97.2% (range, 55.3-111.2). Location of IH was PS in 70 patients (52.2%) at the time of the first IH and in 23 patients (65.7%) at the time of the second IH. Recurrence of IH at the same location was more frequent at the PS (22.9%) than at the JJ (10.9%). Overall, 185 operations for IH were performed, among them 132 (71.4%) laparoscopically. Only once, a small bowel resection was mandatory (0.5%). Conclusion For patients with laparoscopic RYGB, internal hernias represent a potential complication over a lifetime and have to be suspected even years after the index operation. One quarter of patients will develop a recurrence of IH and Petersen’s space is mostly involved.