Abstract
Background: Portal vein thrombosis is rare following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Its natural history is dependent on the etiology of the thrombosis, latrogenic injuries at bariatric operations resulting in portal vein thrombosis are lethal complications typically necessitating a liver transplant, whereas postoperative portal vein thrombosis without an injury to the portal vein has a benign course. There are currently no data on management or prognostic factors of portal vein thrombosis after bariatric operations. Methods: 3 patients referred for liver transplantation secondary to portal vein injury following bariatric surgery between 2000 and 2003 are presented. Results: 2 super-obese (BMI ≥50 kg/m2) and 1 morbidly obese (BMI 44 kg/m2) patients sustained portal vein injuries during bariatric surgery (RYGBP 2, VBG 1) by experienced bariatric surgeons. In each case, the portal injury was identified and repaired. Thrombosis followed reconstruction in all 3 patients. All 3 underwent emergency liver transplantation, but died of sepsis and multi-organ failure following transplantation. Review of the literature found no cases of traumatic portal vein injuries following bariatric operations and 2 cases of postoperative portal vein thrombosis: 1 following LRYGBP (BMI 46) and one after a Lap-Band (BMI 41). Conclusion: Injury to the portal vein resulting from difficulty in discerning the anatomy of the intra-abdominal structures in the morbidly obese, is a lethal complication of bariatric surgery. Super-obese patients submitting to bariatic surgery should lose weight, undergo a two-stage bariatric procedure, or undergo laparoscopic RYGBP to minimize the risk of portal injury. Postoperative portal vein thrombosis has a benign course and can be managed conservatively.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 105-109 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Obesity Surgery |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2006 |
Keywords
- Gastric bypass
- Lethal complications
- Liver transplantation
- Morbid obesity
- Portal injuries
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Nutrition and Dietetics