PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Griffith, P. Sahle
AU  - Birch, Daniel W.
AU  - Sharma, Arya M.
AU  - Karmali, Shahzeer
TI  - Managing complications associated with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity
AID  - 10.1503/cjs.002011
DP  - 2012 Oct 01
TA  - Canadian Journal of Surgery
PG  - 329--336
VI  - 55
IP  - 5
4099  - http://canjsurg.ca/content/55/5/329.short
4100  - http://canjsurg.ca/content/55/5/329.full
SO  - CAN J SURG2012 Oct 01; 55
AB  - Obesity has become a major health concern in Canada. This has resulted in a steady rise in the number of bariatric surgical procedures being performed nationwide. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is not only the most common bariatric procedure, but also the gold standard to which all others are compared. With this in mind, it is imperative that all gastrointestinal surgeons understand the LRYGB and have a working knowledge of the common postoperative complications and their management. Early postoperative complications following LRYGB that demand immediate recognition include anastomotic or staple line leak, postoperative hemorrhage, bowel obstruction and incorrect Roux limb reconstructions. Later complications may be challenging to differentiate from other gastrointestinal disorders and include anastomotic stricture, marginal ulceration, fistula formation, weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. We discuss the principles involved in the management of each complication and the timing of referral to specialist bariatric centres.