The utility of contrast studies and drains in the management of patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: The role of routine post-operative contrast examination (UGI) and drainage of the gastrojejunostomy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is controversial. The authors determined if early routine post-operative UGI detects occult anastomotic leaks, thereby altering treatment and withholding early feeding.

Methods: Prospective data on 100 consecutive patients who underwent RYGBP from September 1998 to September 2000 was reviewed. Closed suction drains were routinely used. Within 36 hr post-operatively, all patients underwent UGI to evaluate the gastrojejunostomy. Patients were given liquids if the UGI showed no leak, and drains were removed 24 hr later. A blinded radiologist reviewed all the UGI.

Results: 87 women and 13 men underwent 75 open and 25 laparoscopic RYGBP. BMI was 52.0 kg/m2. 3 patients whose UGI showed a leak were treated non-operatively with antibiotics, maintenance of drains, nasogastric tube and NPO. 2 of those patients developed purulent drainage within 24 hr after the UGI. None of the three patients required reoperation. 4 UGI were not available for the blinded reviewer who graded the remaining as satisfactory (94) and unsatisfactory (2). This reviewer disputed a leak in 1 of 3 previously reported leaks and reported a leak in a previously negative study. The latter patient subsequently required surgery for an uncontrolled leak.

Conclusions: UGI can be used to withhold early oral intake in patients with radiographic leaks that would otherwise progress to clinically significant leaks. Surgical drains facilitate the non-operative management of such anastomotic leaks. Planned early UGI and surgical drains minimize the morbidity of anastomotic leaks after bariatric surgery.