BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to traditional "open" RYGBP. Although lack of postoperative adhesions is one advantage of minimally invasive surgery, this is also responsible for a higher incidence of internal @entity547 . These @entity1 often present with intermittent @entity490 or @entity1744 with completely normal contrast radiographs. METHODS: Data was obtained concurrently on 2,000 consecutive @entity1 from February 1998 to October 2001 and analyzed retrospectively. Radiographs, when available, were interpreted by both the operative surgeon and radiologist before intervention. RESULTS: 66 internal @entity547 occurred in 63 @entity1 , an incidence of 3.1%. 1 @entity1 presented with a traditional adhesive band and @entity1744 . 20% of @entity1 had normal preoperative small bowel series and/or CT scans. The site of internal @entity547 varied: 44 - mesocolon; 14 - jejunal mesentery; 5 - Petersen's space. Although most @entity1 were symptomatic, 5% were incidental findings at the time of another surgical procedure. 5 @entity1 required open repair. 6 @entity1 presented with perforation either at the time of diagnosis or as a result of manipulation of the bowel. There was 1 death associated with complications of the internal @entity547 . The negative exploration rate was 2%. CONCLUSION: Internal @entity547 are more common following laparoscopic RYGBP than "open" RYGBP. Contrast radiographs alone are unreliable in ruling out this diagnosis. Early intervention is crucial; most repairs can be performed laparoscopically. This diagnosis should be entertained in all @entity1 with unexplained @entity490 following laparoscopic RYGBP. Meticulous closure of all potential internal @entity547 sites is essential to limit this potentially lethal complication.

Internal XXXX after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: incidence, treatment and prevention.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity1744 :: ('MESH:D043183', 'Disease') :: ['small bowel obstruction'] @entity490 :: ('MESH:D015746', 'Disease') :: ['abdominal pain'] @entity547 :: ('MESH:D006547', 'Disease') :: ['hernia', 'hernias']
@entity547 :: (MESH:D006547,Disease) :: ['hernias']
