Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic procedures for morbid obesity are becoming standard of care which, in experienced hands, has a very low mortality and morbidity. Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis has been reported in the literature after different bariatric and nonbariatric laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a relatively new procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity; its complications being well-known including staple line leak, bleeding, and stricture among others. We present a case of superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy successfully managed conservatively with therapeutic anticoagulation, and propose a different hypothesis for the development of such a complication.