CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2012 August;25(4):335-8

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Delayed presentation of a Roux-en-Y afferent loop stricture

Tatulli F., Caputi A., Notarnicola A., Gencarelli D., Caraglia A., Chetta N., Ruggieri T., De Feudis G., Chetta G.

Ospedale V. Emanuele II, Bisceglie, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Italia

Among the numerous techniques that can be used to reconstruct the alimentary tract continuity after a total gastrectomy the Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis has been gaining relevance worldwide mainly because it best reaches the goal of eliminating alkaline reflux into the distal esophagus that often occurs in the absence of the stomach. The complications that may arise after the procedure occur early in the post-operative period or less frequently years later due to functional or mechanical troubles. We report a case of a severe stricture of the Roux-en-Y loop anastomosis presenting six years after the initial gastrectomy requiring repeat hospitalisations due to transient small bowel obstruction as well as acute pancreatitis. Once a diagnosis of irreversible obstruction associated with jaundice was made a laparotomy resolved the case by means of resection and anastomosis.