Endoscopy 2005; 37(6): 566-569
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861444
Short Communication
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Is It Feasible to Reach the Bypassed Stomach after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity? The Use of the Double-Balloon Enteroscope

P.  Sakai1 , R.  Kuga1 , A.  V.  Safatle-Ribeiro1 , J.  Faintuch2 , J.  J.  Gama-Rodrigues2 , R.  K.  Ishida1 , C.  K.  Furuya1 , H.  Yamamoto3 , S.  Ishioka1
  • 1Endoscopy Unit, Dept. of Gastroenterology, São Paulo University Medical School, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo, Brazil
  • 2Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit, Dept. of Gastroenterology, São Paulo University Medical School, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo, Brazil
  • 3Dept. of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi, Tochigi, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 26 October 2004

Accepted after Revision 21 December 2004

Publication Date:
03 June 2005 (online)

Background and Study Aims: Endoscopic evaluation of the excluded stomach after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity is a challenge, and the pathological changes that take place in the bypassed stomach are unclear. A new double-balloon method of evaluating the bypassed stomach after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity is described here.
Patients and Methods: This new enteroscope uses two balloons, one attached to the tip of the endoscope and the other to the distal end of the soft overtube. The procedures were carried out in six patients using the retrograde route, through the end-to-side jejunal anastomosis via the duodenobiliopancreatic limb up to the bypassed stomach.
Results: The bypassed stomach was reached in five of six patients (83.3 %). An endoscopic appearance of atrophic gastritis was found in three patients, mild in two cases and severe in one case with intestinal metaplasia. Erosive and hemorrhagic gastritis was found in two patients.
Conclusions: Endoscopic evaluation of the bypassed stomach via the retrograde route after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity is feasible using the double-balloon enteroscope.

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P. Sakai, M. D.

Endoscopy Unit, Dept. of Gastroenterology, São Paulo University Medical School, Hospital das Clinicas

Rua João Julião, 331 · CEP 01323-020 São Paulo-SP · Brazil

Fax: +55-11-3285-0026

Email: paulosakai@terra.com.br