Comment on: Impact of complete mesenteric closure on small bowel obstruction and internal mesenteric hernia after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Closure of Mesenteric Defects in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: a Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the current study was to review the available literature on morbidly obese patients treated with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in order to assess the clinical outcomes of the routine closure of the mesenteric defects.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane library, and Scopus, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 16,520 patients were incorporated with a mean follow-up ranging from 34 to 120 months. The closure of the mesenteric defects was associated with a lower incidence of internal hernias (odds ratio, 0.25 [95% confidence interval 0.20, 0.31]; p < 0.01), small bowel obstruction (SBO) (0.30 [0.17, 0.52]; p < 0.0001) and reoperations (0.28 [0.15, 0.52]; p < 0.001). Both approaches presented similar complication rates and % excess weight loss (%EWL).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis is the best currently available evidence on the topic and supports the routine closure of the mesenteric defects.

Closure of mesenteric defects in laparoscopic gastric bypass: a multicentre, randomised, parallel, open-label trial

BACKGROUND

Small bowel obstruction due to internal hernia is a common and potentially serious complication after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Whether closure of surgically created mesenteric defects might reduce the incidence is unknown, so we did a large randomised trial to investigate.

METHOD

This study was a multicentre, randomised trial with a two-arm, parallel design done at 12 centres for bariatric surgery in Sweden. Patients planned for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery at any of the participating centres were offered inclusion. During the operation, a concealed envelope was opened and the patient was randomly assigned to either closure of mesenteric defects beneath the jejunojejunostomy and at Petersen's space or non-closure. After surgery, assignment was open label. The main outcomes were reoperation for small bowel obstruction and severe postoperative complications. Outcome data and safety were analysed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01137201.

FINDINGS

Between May 1, 2010, and Nov 14, 2011, 2507 patients were recruited to the study and randomly assigned to closure of the mesenteric defects (n=1259) or non-closure (n=1248). 2503 (99·8%) patients had follow-up for severe postoperative complications at day 30 and 2482 (99·0%) patients had follow-up for reoperation due to small bowel obstruction at 25 months. At 3 years after surgery, the cumulative incidence of reoperation because of small bowel obstruction was significantly reduced in the closure group (cumulative probability 0·055 for closure vs 0·102 for non-closure, hazard ratio 0·56, 95% CI 0·41-0·76, p=0·0002). Closure of mesenteric defects increased the risk for severe postoperative complications (54 [4·3%] for closure vs 35 [2·8%] for non-closure, odds ratio 1·55, 95% CI 1·01-2·39, p=0·044), mainly because of kinking of the jejunojejunostomy.

INTERPRETATION

The results of our study support the routine closure of the mesenteric defects in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. However, closure of the mesenteric defects might be associated with increased risk of early small bowel obstruction caused by kinking of the jejunojejunostomy.

FUNDING

Örebro County Council, Stockholm City Council, and the Erling-Persson Family Foundation.