Bowel Obstruction After Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Narrative Review

Bowel obstruction is a common complication that can affect patients due to different factors, including after a history of gastric bypass surgery. This review was conducted by searching the literature using both PubMed and Google Scholar for articles relating to bowel obstructions. Fifty-six articles were found after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Based on the literature search, there are many causes of bowel obstruction, the most common of which include internal hernias, adhesions, and intussusception. Regarding management strategies, surgery is usually the definitive treatment method, but other studies favor a non-surgical approach depending on the specific case. Bowel obstruction is a significant complication that can occur post gastric bypass surgery. This review sheds light on various causes of bowel obstruction, including the possible treatment options, prevention of bowel obstruction that could be achieved by implementing different surgical techniques, the importance of postoperative monitoring, and timely intervention.