Internal hernia after laparoscopic-assisted proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition for gastric cancer: a case report

Chylous ascites in the setting of internal hernia: a reassuring sign

BACKGROUND

Chylous ascites is often reported in cases with lymphatic obstruction or after lymphatic injuries such as intraabdominal malignancies or lymphadenectomies. However, chylous ascites is also frequently encountered in operations for internal hernias. We sought to characterize the frequency and conditions when chylous ascites is encountered in general surgery patients.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent operations for CPT codes related to open and laparoscopic abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery in our tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. Patients with the postoperative diagnosis of internal hernia were identified and categorized into three groups: Internal Hernia with chylous ascites, non-chylous ascites, and no ascites. Demographics, prior surgical history, CT findings, source of internal hernia, open or laparoscopic surgery, and preoperative labs were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were found to have internal hernias and were included in our study. 80.3% were female and 86% had a previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (RYGBP). Laparoscopy was the main approach for all groups. Ascites was present in 46% of the cases. Specifically, chylous ascites was observed in 27% of the total operations and was exclusively (100%) found in patients with gastric-bypass history. Furthermore, it was more commonly associated with Petersen's defect (p < 0.001), while the non-chylous fluid group was associated with herniation through the mesenteric defect (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Chylous ascites is a common finding during internal hernia operations. Unlike other more morbid conditions, identification of chylous ascites during an internal hernia operation appears innocuous. However, in the context of a patient with a history of RYGBP, the presence of chylous fluid signifies the associated small bowel obstruction is likely related to an internal hernia through a patent Petersen's defect.

Internal hernia after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition

Although internal hernia (IH) has been reported after laparoscopic distal or total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction, there are few reports of IH after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (PG-JI). The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and clinical features of IH after PG-JI. This study retrospectively reviewed 71 patients who underwent PG-JI for gastric cancer at a single institution between July 2007 and December 2016. The median follow-up period after PG-JI was 50 months. Four patients (5.6%) developed IH. IH occurred in 3 of 38 patients after open PG (7.9%) and 1 of 33 after laparoscopic PG (3.1%; p = 0.38). The site of IH was Petersen in all cases, where the Petersen defect was not closed. All patients had abdominal pain at onset, and the CT revealed a whirl sign. Bowel resection was required in three patients (75%). There was no morbidity. IH after PG-JI occurred regardless of operative approach (open or laparoscopic). A high degree of suspicion for IH should be maintained in patients after gastrectomy with abdominal pain and a whirl sign on CT. Closure of the mesenteric defects should be considered to reduce the incidence of IH after surgery.