The radiology of gastroplasty for morbid obesity

From experience with 101 patients, the radiologic features of gastroplasty for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity are described. Prompt recognition of surgical complications requires familiarity with expected postoperative appearances. Early complications are: (a) gastric leak with subphrenic abscess, (b) stomal edema and (c) staple dehiscence. Failure to continue to lose weight after surgery results from stretching of the pouch and/or stoma, or delayed staple disruption, due to persistent over-eating.