Anterograde jejunojejunal intussusception through the distal anastomosis as complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract

Introduction: Small bowel intussusception is a rare complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) whose incidence tends to increase. This rising could be explained by an increasing bariatric surgery over the last two decades and by a better recognition of this potential complication.

Patient and methods: We report a case of jejunojejunal intussusception in 33-year-old woman 2 years following a laparoscopic RYGB. She was taken to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy.

Results: Its diagnosis is based on a combination of physical, radiological, and operative findings. The surgical exploration confirmed an anterograde jejunojejunal intussusception through the Roux-en-Y anastomosis. A lead point was not identified. We performed the resection of the blind extremity of the biliopancreatic limb to prevent recurrence.

Conclusions: Small bowel intussusception is a rare long-term complication after RYGB. The underlying causative mechanism remains unclear. This rare condition may cause obstruction and lead to bowel necrosis if not recognized and treated promptly.

Keywords:

• Intussusception
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
• bowel obstruction
• anterograde intussusception
• bariatric

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.