Technical Options for Malabsorption Issues After Single Anastomosis Duodenoileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic single anastomosis duodenoileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a recently developed one- or two-stage operation based on biliopancreatic diversion that is used to treat morbid obesity. Some midterm outcomes suggest that malabsorption is a possible complication following the procedure. Therefore, conversion to a less malabsorptive procedure may be required. We aim to describe and analyze the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of SADI-S to non-malabsorptive or less malabsorptive procedures.

From January 2015 to April 2017, five patients underwent laparoscopic conversion to single anastomosis duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADJ-S) (video) following SADI-S, and one female patient underwent laparoscopic conversion to gastric bypass (GBP) following SADI-S, after presenting with severe protein-calorie malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, poor quality of life, or increased number of bowel movements.

Mean preoperative BMI was 24.0 kg/m² (20.4-27.5 kg/m²). Four patients underwent SADI-S to SADJ-S conversions and one underwent a SADI-S to Roux-en-Y duodenojejunal bypass. All cases were performed laparoscopically. No relevant postoperative complications or mortality was reported and the mean hospital stay was 4.6 days. Malabsorptive symptoms resolved in all patients. All patients experienced weight regain. Mean BMI increase was 7.1 kg/m² (5-10.8 kg/m²).

Outcomes of laparoscopic conversion to SADJ-S or GBP after SADI-S were acceptable, showing clinical improvement of malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, and quality of life in all cases. Weight regain must be advised. These techniques appear feasible and free of severe long-term complications. Further investigation is warranted to understand the best common channel length for patients undergoing SADI-S.