Abstract
Introduction
Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass (REYGB) amounts for a third of surgical bariatric interventions. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a long-term complication in REYGB and can be caused by intussusception of bowel, in approximately 0.5% of procedures. Intussusception in REYBG is mostly attributed to dysmotility. This report demonstrates a rare case of intussusception in REYGB secondary to a benign polyp.
Case description
A 45 year old female, three years post REYGB, presented to A&E with acute, extreme upper abdominal pain, with three days absolute constipation. She was tender on examination with normal blood tests. CT scan demonstrated small bowel intussusception. Initial concerns were of intussusception of the jejuno-jejunostomy anastomosis causing SBO. She had an exploratory laparotomy, which confirmed intussusception, however this was 20cm distal to the jejuno-jejunostomy. Bowel was gently reduced, and deemed viable. On thorough run-through, a small segment at the transition point, was considered abnormal on palpation. This region was resected and a 1x1cm intraluminal polyp was identified as the causative lead point. The patient did well postoperatively.
Discussion
Small bowel intussusception in adults is typically attributed to pathological lead point, such as benign or malignant lesions. Intussusception in REYBG is a rare but well-documented cause of intestinal obstruction, usually attributed to dysmotility, secondary to ectopic pacemaker cells particularly around anastomoses. In this case, the intussusception was caused by an unusual pathology separate from the jejuno-jejunal anastomosis. We recommend thorough examination of all adjacent bowel to exclude lesions, in this case a polyp, which could result in recurrence.
Sinus node-like pacemaker mechanisms regulate ectopic pacemaker activity in the adult rat atrioventricular ring
