Bariatric emergencies: what should know the general surgeon

Background: bariatric surgery presented a dramatic increase due to the obesity epidemics and the laparoscopic approach. General surgeons might face acute or chronic complications of bariatric surgery, considering the increasing figures of obesity procedures performed every year in USA, as well as in Europe. Aim: to present the possible surgical emergencies after bariatric surgery. Methods: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is the most widely performed bariatric procedure in Europe. Acute anterior /posterior slippage of the gastric wall is the most frequent complication, and needs emergency treatment: band ́s deflation, laparoscopy for repositioning/removal. Intragastric band migration is diagnosed at the radiological or endoscopic controls and usually does not represent a surgical emergency. Anastomotic Bariatric emergencies: what should know the general surgeon C. Boru, G. Silecchia Department of Surgery, Clinical Hospital Caritas “Acad. N. Cajal”, Bucharest, Romania University “La Sapienza”, Department of Surgery “P. Stefanini”, Rome, Italy Chirurgia (2010) 105: 455-464 Nr. 4, Iulie August Copyright© Celsius Corresponding author: Cristian Boru MD Department of Surgery, Clinical Hospital Caritas “Acad. N. Cajal”, Bucharest Romania 29, Traian street, sector 3, 030572 E-mail: [email protected]