Vasoconstrictor nasal spray causing life-threatening complications after bariatric surgery: A case report

Bariatric surgery is an evolving surgical field with increasing cases per year, as obesity is prevalent, especially in developed countries. Complication diagnosis and management can be challenging. Marginal ulcers and anastomosis perforation are rare, but their incidence is likely underestimated.

To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case with a two and a half years history of recurrent ischemia, marginal ulcers, and recurrent perforation after laparoscopic omega loop gastric bypass, most likely due to an abuse of an over-the-counter (OTC) sympathomimetic nasal spray. The complications (Clavien-Dindo classification IIIb) caused the necessity of recurrent hospitalizations and diagnostic interventions and an open conversion into Roux-Y gastric bypass in a damage control manner.

Conclusively, we advocate evaluating drug abuse, including OTC medications that patients might not report on a daily-based medical history, as an etiology for marginal ulcers and anastomosis perforation, especially in late and recurrent cases.