S146-Jejunojejunal intussusception after roux-En-Y gastric bypass: a case series of 34 patients

Jejunojejunal intussusception (JI) is a serious but rare complication that may occur following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Causes of JI and best management strategy are not clearly defined.

Electronic health records were queried for ICD 9/10 codes for intussusception after RYGB surgery (2009-2019), and charts retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, operative technique, presentation, radiology, and JI management were analyzed.

Of the 2,327 RYGB patients identified at our institute, 34 (1.5%) were treated for JI. The mean age was 45.0 ± 8.6 years, mean BMI (RYGB surgery) was 43.1 ± 8.2 kg/m², mean BMI at JI was 28.3 ± 5.8 kg/m², and 30/34 were female, The mean time between RYGB and JI was 5.5 ± 4.3 years (range 1-17 years). Of the JI patients identified, 9 had operative notes that did not include jejunojejunostomy linear stapler length (JJ-LSL). Of the remaining 25 JI patients, 9 had a 60-mm JJ-LSL and 16 had a 120-mm JJ-LSL. Rate of intussusception was higher in the 120-mm versus 60-mm JJ-LSL group (p < 0.05). Acute abdominal pain was present in all JI patients and 32/34 had radiologic findings (CT scan) that corroborated for JI. The majority of JI patients were managed operatively (26/34) with 22/26 using laparoscopy (2/22 were converted to open). Intraoperative findings included intussusception (15/26), and 9/26 had other pathologies (internal hernia (2/26), cholecystitis (4/26), marginal ulcer (3/26)). Operative management of JI was either reduction and enteropexy (7/15), reduction only (5/15), or JJ revision (3/15). Recurrence of JI occurred in 7/23 patients, of who 4/7 were managed operatively.

In our experience, JI appears to be a relatively rare complication after RYGB surgery. However, for patients developing JI, the majority had a JJ length ≥ 120 mm, and most patients required operative management which was associated with a higher rate of conversion to open and risk of JI recurrence. Reduction only technique had the highest risk of JI recurrence and therefore is not recommended.