Pancreaticoduodenectomy after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a novel reconstruction technique

The obesity epidemic continues to increase around the world with its attendant complications of metabolic syndrome and increased risk of malignancies, including pancreatic malignancy. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective bariatric procedure for obesity and its comorbidities. We describe a report wherein a patient with previous RYGB was treated with a novel reconstruction technique following a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). A 59-year-old male patient with previous history of RYGB was admitted with painless progressive jaundice. Imaging revealed a distal common bile duct stricture and he underwent PD. There are multiple options for reconstruction after PD in patients with previous RYGB. The two major decisions for pancreatic surgeon are: (I) resection/preservation of remnant stomach and (II) resection/ preservation of original biliopancreatic limb. This has to be tailored to the patient based on the intraoperative findings and anatomical suitability. In our patient, the gastric remnant was preserved, and distal part of original biliopancreatic limb was anastomosed to the stomach as a venting anterior gastrojejunostomy. A distal loop of small bowel was used to reconstruct the pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy and further distally a new jejunojejunostomy performed. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on 7 day. With the increase in number of bariatric procedures performed worldwide, pancreatic surgeons should be aware of the varied surgical reconstruction options for PD following RYGB. This should be tailored to the patient and there is no “one-size-fits-all”.