Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Anatomy Research Articles

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Directed Transgastric ERCP (EDGE): a Single-Center US Experience with Follow-up Data on Fistula Closure

Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) by creating an anastomosis from the gastric pouch or jejunum to the excluded stomach allows performance of ERCP in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy. Concern for persistent fistula following stent removal and sparse data limit adoption. Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing EDGE over a 2-year period. Nineteen RYGB patients underwent EDGE; three had previously failed ERCP by the device-assisted method. Indications for ERCP were choledocholithiasis (8), recurrent acute pancreatitis (6), benign post-surgical stricture (3), elevated bilirubin, and papillary stenosis (1 each). EDGE was technically successful in all 19 patients with jejunogastric anastomosis in 11 patients and gastrogastric in 8 using a 15-mm lumen-apposing metal stent. Stent malposition occurred in six and was managed by rescue maneuvers. ERCP was performed in the same session in four patients; the remainder were delayed after a mean of 48days. Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed in four patients. No severe adverse events occurred; clinical success was 100%. Stents were removed after a mean dwell time of 182days. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) was used to promote fistula closure in 12 patients. Upper GI series to assess fistula closure was obtained in 11 patients after a mean of 182days following stent removal. One persistent fistula was identified and closed endoscopically. EDGE is an effective modality for performing ERCP in patients with RYGB anatomy and can be performed via gastrogastric or jejunogastric approaches. Persistent fistula is uncommon and can be managed endoscopically. APC may promote fistula closure.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy.

The outcome of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in patients with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is not known and some experts have recommended against its performance in this patient population because of the risk of postoperative regurgitation. The aim of this study was to report on the outcomes of POEM in patients with RYGB anatomy. Patients with RYGB anatomy who underwent POEM for the treatment of achalasia at three tertiary centers were included. POEM was performed in standard fashion using the anterior or posterior approach. Clinical response was defined by a decrease in Eckardt score to ≤ 3. Results of esophageal acid exposure testing/pH-impedance and manometric testing after POEM were reported when available. A total of 10 achalasia patients with prior RYGB surgery underwent POEM. All procedures were technically successful with anterior myotomy performed in seven patients. The mean submucosal tunnel length and myotomy length were 12.9 cm and 11.1 cm, respectively. The mean procedure time was 72 minutes and mean length of hospital stay was 1.5 days. Clinical success was achieved in all 10 patients with a significant decrease in Eckardt score from 6.5 to 1 (P < 0.001). None of the patients experienced post-procedural regurgitation. Post-procedural pH testing was obtained in six patients and was normal in all of them. This study suggests the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of POEM in patients with prior RYGB surgery. The risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease in these patients seems to be minimal after POEM.

An international, multicenter, comparative trial of EUS-guided gastrogastrostomy-assisted ERCP versus enteroscopy-assisted ERCP in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy

ERCP is challenging in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy. EUS-guided gastrogastrostomy (GG) creation is a promising novel technique to access the excluded stomach to facilitate conventional ERCP. We aimed to compare procedural outcomes and adverse events (AEs) between EUS-guided GG-assisted ERCP (EUS-GG-ERCP) and enteroscopy-assisted ERCP (e-ERCP) in patients with RYGB. Patients with RYGB anatomy who underwent EUS-GG-ERCP or e-ERCP between 2014 and 2016 at 5 tertiary centers were included. The primary outcome was technical success of ERCP, defined as successful cannulation of the selected duct with successful intervention as intended. Secondary outcomes included total procedural time (in the EUS-GG group, total procedural time included EUS-GG creation plus ERCP procedure time), length of hospital stay, and rate/severity of AEs graded according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy lexicon. A total of 60 patients (mean age, 57.2 ± 13.2; 75% women) were included, of whom 30 (50%) underwent EUS-GG-ERCP and 30 (50%) underwent e-ERCP (double-balloon enteroscope ERCP, 19; single-balloon enteroscope ERCP, 11). The technical success rate was significantly higher in the EUS-GG-ERCP versus the e-ERCP group (100% vs 60.0%, P< .001). Total procedure time was significantly shorter in patients who underwent EUS-GG-ERCP (49.8 minutes vs 90.7 minutes, P< .001). Postprocedure median length of hospitalization was shorter in the EUS-GG group (1 vs 10.5 days, P= .02). Rate of AEs was similar in both groups (10% vs 6.7%, P= 1). EUS-GG-ERCP may be superior to e-ERCP in patients with RYGB anatomy in terms of a higher technical success and shorter procedural times and offers a similar safety profile.

Specialty Article: so You Think You Got a Bypass? A Case Series of Adventures in Bariatric Surgery.

To raise awareness for surgeons encountering bariatric patients with anatomy that deviates from the standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This is a single-institution retrospective case series over 12years (2003-2014) involving patients who believed they received RYGBs, but actually did not. Data was obtained reviewing physician encounters, imaging, and operative reports. There were six cases with confusing clinical pictures, found to have aberrant RYGB anatomy: (1) gastric bypass with jejuno-jejunostomy only without gastrojejunostomy, (2) distal partial vertical gastrectomy without expected prosthetic band, (3) inverse vertical banded gastroplasty, (4) non-divided gastric bypass with no gastrojejunostomy, (5) 20-cm Roux limb, with gastro-gastric fistula, and (6) 200-cm bilio-pancreatic limb similar to the traditional Scopinaro procedure. There are cases of "Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses" that have no resemblance to the named procedure at all. Adjunctive upper gastrointestinal studies and upper endoscopies help surgeons make diagnoses that are incongruent with the surgical history. It is important to keep in mind that there could be anatomic or surgical variations which were born out of necessity or based on other surgeons' creativities.

Roux en Y gastric bypass hypoglycemia resolves with gastric feeding or reversal: Confirming a non-pancreatic etiology

ObjectivePostprandial hypoglycemia is an infrequent but disabling complication of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Controversy still exists as to whether the postprandial hyperinsulinemia observed is due to inherent changes in pancreatic β-cell mass or function or to reversible alterations caused by RYGB anatomy. We aimed to determine if gastric feeding or reversal of RYGB would normalize postprandial glucose and hormone excursions in patients with symptomatic hypoglycemia. MethodsWe completed a prospective study of six patients with severe symptomatic RYGB hypoglycemia who underwent RYGB reversal. An additional subject without hypoglycemia who underwent RYGB reversal was also studied prospectively. Mixed meal tolerance testing (MTT) was done orally (RYGB anatomy), via gastrostomy tube in the excluded stomach in the setting of RYGB, and several months after RYGB reversal. ResultsAll subjects reported symptomatic improvement of hypoglycemia after reversal of RYGB. Weight gain after reversal was moderate and variable. Postprandial glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 excursions were significantly diminished with gastric feeding and after reversal. Insulin secretion changed proportional to glucose levels and insulin clearance increased after reversal. Glucagon/insulin ratios were similar throughout study. We further compared the impact of modified sleeve gastrectomy reversal surgery to those with restoration of complete stomach and found no significant differences in weight regain or in postprandial glucose or hormone levels. ConclusionsReversal of RYGB is an effective treatment option for severe postprandial hypoglycemia. The pathophysiology of this disorder is primarily due to RYGB anatomy resulting in altered glucose, gut, and pancreatic hormone levels and decreased insulin clearance, rather than inherent β-cell hyperplasia or hyperfunction.

Reconstruction Options for Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Patients with Prior Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Patients with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operations for weight loss present reconstruction challenges during a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). With over 60,000 RYGB performed annually, the increasing odds of encountering such patients during a PD make it imperative to understand the RYGB anatomy and anticipate reconstruction options. This article describes the possible reconstruction options and their rationale. We reviewed our PD reconstruction options, compared them to what have been described in the literature, and derived a consensus from internal conferences comprising bariatric and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons to describe known reconstruction options. In general, reconstruction options can include one of three options: (1) remnant gastrectomy, (2) preservation of gastric remnant, or (3) reversal of gastric bypass. This article describes individualized reconstruction options for RYGB patients undergoing PD. The reconstruction options can be tailored to the needs of the patient.

Success of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy by Single Balloon Enteroscopy in Patients Who Have Undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Data is limited regarding the success and safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placements by single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNY-GB) anatomy. We report on 23 cases of PEG placements by SBE with overall technical success of reaching the excluded stomach 70% and with PEG placement success rate of 69%. No intra-procedural adverse events occurred. This technique seems safe when feasible for PEG placement in patients with RNY-GB anatomy.

Systematic review of transgastric ERCP in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients

Balloon-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy (ERCP) in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients is technically challenging due to anatomic and accessory constraints, thus success rates are modest. Transgastric ERCP (TG-ERCP) offers a viable alternative. We aimed to systematically review the literature on TG-ERCP in RYGB patients to better define the technical approaches, success rates, and adverse events of this procedure. A computer-assisted search of the Embase and PubMed databases was performed to identify studies that focused on the techniques and clinical outcomes of TG-ERCP. Two investigators independently identified studies and abstracted relevant data. The literature search yielded 26 eligible studies comprising 509 TG-ERCP cases. Access to the excluded stomach to facilitate ERCP was achieved laparoscopically in 58% of reported cases, via open surgery (6% of reported cases), by antecedent placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube (33%), or with endoscopic ultrasound assistance (3%). Successful gastric access was reported in 100% of cases and successful ductal cannulation in 98.5%. Adverse events were reported in 14% of cases; 80% of these were related to gastrostomy creation and the rest were attributable to ERCP. Wound infections (n = 19, 3.7%) were the most common gastrostomy-related adverse event, and post-ERCP pancreatitis (n = 7, 1.4%) was the most common ERCP-related adverse event. No deaths were reported. Based on existing observational studies, TG-ERCP appears to be a safe and highly effective approach in patients with RYGB anatomy. Additional research and clinical experience are needed to more precisely define the risk-benefit ratio and optimal technique of TG-ERCP.

Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) for Roux-en-Y anatomy: a novel technique.

Patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy pose challenges when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is required. Deep enteroscopy-assisted ERCP can allow pancreaticobiliary intervention in these patients, but with limited success. This case series describes endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) for patients following RYGB. Patients with RYGB anatomy undergoing EDGE at a tertiary care center were included in this prospective single-arm feasibility study. All procedures were performed in two stages. First a 16-Fr percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was placed in the excluded stomach using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance. Second, ERCP was performed through the newly fashioned gastrostomy and a transcutaneous fully covered metal esophageal stent. Six patients (5 women, 1 man) with RYGB anatomy underwent EDGE. EUS-guided PEG placement was successful in all six patients (100 %). Antegrade ERCP was successful in all six patients (100 %) with the stages being separated by a mean of 5.8 days. The mean procedure times for the two stages were 81 minutes and 98 minutes. Two patients (33 %) had localized PEG site infections that were managed with oral antibiotics. There were no adverse events related to ERCP. EDGE is both feasible and safe to perform in RYGB patients. Given the high success rates of our recent experience, we suspect that this technique can be performed as a one-stage procedure to provide a cost-effective, minimally invasive option for a common problem in a growing patient population.

Bypassing the bypass: EUS-directed transgastric ERCP for Roux-en-Y anatomy

Patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) pose distinct challenges to performing ERCP. We propose an alternative endoscopic approach that uses EUS to gain PEG access to the excluded stomach in patients with RYGB anatomy. This video (Fig. 1; Video 1, available online at www.giejournal.org) describes an EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) in 6 patients with RYGB anatomy (5 women, 1 man, average age 50.7 years) with biliary disease done by 2 expert biliary endoscopists. The EDGE technique is divided into 2 stages performed during separate endoscopic sessions, with mean procedure times of 81 and 98 minutes. The first stage of the procedure involved placement of a 16F PEG tube into the excluded stomach by using EUS guidance. During the second stage, ERCP was performed in an antegrade fashion through the fashioned gastrostomy after replacement of the PEG tube with a transcutaneous, fully covered, metal esophageal stent. EUS-guided access to the excluded remnant stomach was successful in all 6 patients (100%). Antegrade ERCP was successfully achieved in all 6 patients (100%), with a mean 5.8 days between the 2 stages. Given the high success rates of our recent experience, we propose that EDGE may provide a cost-effective, minimally invasive option for a common problem in a growing patient demographic.

Laparoscopic reversal of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: Technique and utility for treatment of endocrine complications

BackgroundThe anatomic and physiologic changes with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may lead to uncommon but occasionally difficult to treat complications such as hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenia and recalcitrant hypocalcemia associated to hypoparathyroidism. Medical management of these complications is challenging. Laparoscopic reversal of RYGB anatomy with restoration of pyloric function and duodenal continuity is a potential treatment. The objective of this study was to present the indications, surgical technique, and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic reversal of RYGB. MethodsProspective study of consecutive patients offered laparoscopic reversal of RYGB. ResultsFive patients with remote laparoscopic RYGB underwent laparoscopic reversal of RYGB to normal anatomy (n = 2) or modified sleeve gastrectomy (n = 3). Indications were medically refractory hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenia (n = 3), recalcitrant hypocalcemia with hypoparathyroidism (n = 1), and both conditions simultaneously (n = 1). Before reversal, all patients had a gastrostomy tube placed in the excluded stomach to document improvement of symptoms. Laparoscopic reversal was accomplished successfully in all patients. Three postoperative complications occurred: bleeding that required transfusion, gallstone pancreatitis, and a superficial trocar site infection. Average length of stay was 3 days. At a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 3 to 22), no additional episodes of neuroglycopenia occurred, average number of hypoglycemic episodes per week decreased from 18.5±12.4 to 1.5±1.9 (P = .05), and hypocalcemia became responsive to oral replacement therapy in both patients. ConclusionsLaparoscopic reversal of RYGB to normal anatomy or modified sleeve gastrectomy is feasible and may be a therapeutic option for selected patients with medically refractory hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and/or recalcitrant hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism.

ERCP via gastrostomy vs. double balloon enteroscopy in patients with prior bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common bariatric surgery. The performance of ERCP in bariatric RYGB is challenging due to the long Roux limb. We herein compared the indications and technical outcomes of ERCP via percutaneous gastrostomy (GERCP) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBERCP) for patients with prior bariatric RYGB anatomy. Between December 2005 and November 2011, consecutive ERCP patients who had undergone RYGB were identified using a prospectively maintained electronic ERCP database. Medical records were abstracted for ERCP indications and outcomes. In most cases, the gastrostomy was done by either laparoscopic or open surgery and allowed to mature at least 1 month before performing ERCP. The choice of route for ERCP was at discretion of managing physician. Forty-four patients (F = 42) with GERCP and 28 patients (F = 26) with DBERCP were identified. The mean age was younger in GERCP than DBERCP (44.8 vs. 56.1, p < 0.001). GERCP patients were more likely to have suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (77 %) as the primary indication whereas DBERCP was suspected CBD stone (57 %). The mean total number of sessions/patient in GERCP and DBERCP was 1.7 ± 1.0 and 1.1 ± 0.4, respectively (p = 0.004). GERCP access to the major papilla was successful in all but two (97 %), whereas duct cannulation and interventions were successful in all. In DBERCP, the success rate of accessing major papilla, cannulation and therapeutic intervention was 78, 63, 56 %, respectively. There was one (3.1 %) post-ERCP pancreatitis in DBERCP. Complications occurred in 11 GERCP procedures (14.5 %) and 10 were related to the gastrostomy. This was significantly higher than that of DBERCP (p = 0.022). GERCP is more effective than DBERCP in gaining access to the pancreatobiliary tree in patients with RYGB, but it is hindered by the gastrostomy maturation delay and a higher morbidity. Technical improvements in each method are needed.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with roux-en-Y anatomy.

Historically, Billroth II gastrectomy was the predominant surgically altered anatomy that fostered challenging endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Multiple studies reported excellent ERCP success using duodenoscope and forward viewing endoscopes including gastroscope and colonoscope in patients with Billroth II anatomy. In recent years, in response to the obesity pandemic in the United States, bariatric surgery has been on the rise and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has become the preferred bariatric surgical method. RYGB anatomy poses a major challenge for endoscopists when biliary or pancreatic duct access is required given the long (often>100 cm) roux limb that must be traversed in order to reach the papilla. Roux-en-Y reconstruction is also commonly performed after gastrectomy or as part of choledochojejunostomy but such patients have shorter roux limbs compared to RYGB patients. ERCP procedures in rouxen-Y anatomy are among the most technically difficult and time consuming procedures performed by Gastroenterologists. There are a variety of strategies available for endoscopists to perform ERCP in patients with roux-en Y anatomy safely and effectively. This article reviews several of these strategies with an emphasis on those patients post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

575 ERCP via Gastrostomy vs. Double Balloon Enteroscopy Assisted ERCP in Patients With Prior Bariatric Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: Single Center Experience

The performance of ERCP in bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is challenging due to long roux limb. We herein describe indications and outcomes of gastrostomy-assisted ERCP (GERCP) and double balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP (DBERCP) for the patients with prior bariatric RYGB anatomy.

Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tube Placement to Perform Transgastrostomy Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography in Patients with Roux-en-Y Anatomy

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgeries in the United States. Patients with prior RYGB are not amenable to conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). Surgical gastrostomy (SG) tube placement enables transgastrostomy ERCP (TG-ERCP). Eleven patients with RYGB anatomy received open Stamm gastrostomy after which the tract was then allowed to mature for an average of 45days before therapeutic TG-ERCP. The success rate and procedure-related complications of both gastrostomy and ERCP were assessed. TG-ERCP was performed on eleven patients (median age 52years, range 37-61years) with prior RYGB and pancreatobiliary diseases. Indications for ERCP in these patients included suspected gallstone pancreatitis (n=4), ampullary/biliary strictures (n=5), pancreas divisum (n=1), and common bile duct clipping as a result of RYGB surgery (n=1). Two individuals developed post surgical complications with stomal-related infections. TG-ERCP with therapeutic intervention was successfully performed in all patients. Intervention included stone extractions (n=11), biliary stricture dilation (n=11), biliary sphincterotomy (n=11), biliary (n=3) and pancreatic (n=1) stent placement, ampullary biopsies (n=3), choledochoscopy (n=1), and pseudocyst drainage (n=1). Complications included post-ERCP pancreatitis (n=2), post-sphincterotomy bleeding (n=1), gastrostomy site bleed (n=1), and gastric perforation (n=1). The total number of ERCP sessions for the eleven patients was 15 (1 or 2 per patient). Median follow-up was 42days (range 7-123days). Surgical open gastrostomy followed by TG-ERCP enables therapeutic intervention but is associated with significant complications.

Endoscopic findings and outcomes of revisional procedures for patients with weight recidivism after gastric bypass

Significant weight regain occurs for 10% to 20% of patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Potential causative factors include anatomic abnormalities such as enlargement of the gastric pouch and gastrojejunostomy (GJ). This report describes endoscopic findings for patients referred for investigation of weight regain and presents the outcomes of revisional therapy for patients with abnormal anatomy. To evaluate gastric pouch and stoma size, RYGB patients referred for weight regain underwent upper endoscopy. A GJ was defined as enlarged if it had a diameter greater than 2 cm in any dimension, and a pouch was defined as enlarged if its length exceeded 6 cm long or its width exceeded 5 cm. Patients with abnormal anatomy who subsequently underwent revisional procedures were arbitrarily categorized into three groups based on the interval from RYGB to endoscopic evaluation: less than 5 years (group 1), 5 to 10 years (group 2), longer than 10 years (group 3). The percentage of regained weight lost (%RWL) after revision was compared between the groups. In this study, 205 RYGB patients (176 women with a mean age of 47 ± 10 years and a current body mass index [BMI] of 43.4 ± 8.4 kg/m(2)) were evaluated. The mean time from primary RYGB was 6.9 ± 3.7 years, and the increase in BMI from its nadir was 9.78 ± 5.80 kg/m(2). Abnormal endoscopic findings (n = 146, 71.2%) included large GJ (n = 86, 58.9%), large pouch (n = 42, 28.8%), or both (n = 18, 12.3%). Of the 205 patients, 51 (24.9%) underwent a revisional surgical or endoluminal procedure. At a mean follow-up assessment 13 months after revision, group 1 (n = 12) had a mean %RWL of 103% ± 89.3%, and 62% of these patients lost all their regained weight. The mean %RWL was 45% ± 12.6% in group 2 (n = 30) and 40% ± 13.6% in group 3 (n = 9). Endoscopy is a valuable tool for evaluating weight regain after bariatric surgery that can identify abnormal post-RYGB anatomy in a majority of patients. Revisional procedures to restore normal RYGB anatomy appear to be most successful if performed within 5 years after the primary procedure.