Hyperammonemic syndrome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is an uncommon but severe complication of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for obesity. Mechanisms underlying this complication are incompletely understood, resulting in delayed recognition and management. This study evaluated common laboratory findings and possible etiology of hyperammonemic encephalopathy after successful Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

A retrospective review of 20 patients identified through our own clinical practice was conducted, with the addition of similar cases from other institutions identified through the review of literature.

Patients presenting with hyperammonemic encephalopathy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery presented with overlapping clinical and laboratory findings. Common features included: (1) weight loss following successful Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for obesity; (2) hyperammonemic encephalopathy accompanied by elevated plasma glutamine levels; (3) absence of cirrhosis; (4) hypoalbuminemia; and (5) low plasma zinc levels. The mortality rate was 50%. Ninety-five percent of patients were women. Three patients were diagnosed with proximal urea cycle disorders. One patient experienced improvement in the hyperammonemia after surgical correction of spontaneous splenorenal shunt.

Hyperammonemic encephalopathy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is a newly recognized, potentially fatal syndrome with diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms encompassing genetic and nongenetic causes.