Nonoperative management of stomal stenosis after gastroplasty for morbid obesity

Over a period of six years, 33 of 172 (19 per cent) patients who had gastric partitioning had stomal stenosis develop which was defined as an inability to drink fluids or swallow saliva, or both. All were managed conservatively in the hospital or on an outpatient basis. This consisted of total parenteral nutrition and endoscopy to evaluate the stoma with or without dilation; Eder-Puestow dilaters and long term jejunostomy feeding were used. Thirteen of these patients were dilated a total of 36 times. Three required three to six dilations each, up to the maximum size (45F). There were no complications. Twenty-nine required repletion by combined parenteral and enteral nutrition. Three required jejunostomy insertion as a separate procedure. Patients were observed for six to 60 months. Thirty-two did well. Gastrogastrostomy was required in one patient with a stenosis after the second gastroplasty. Three patients who were dilated regained over 20 per cent of their ideal weight.