Laparoscopic Insertion of a Percutaneous Gastrostomy Prevented Malnutrition in a Patient with Previous Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Bariatric surgery is a highly effective treatment option for morbid obesity. Short- and long-term effects of bariatric surgery are not limited to weight loss but include resolution of type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, improvement of cardiovascular health, and overall mortality. The long life expectancy of patients undergoing bariatric procedures means many of these patients will succumb to other diseases. Altered GI anatomy after bariatric procedures could prove an obstacle in treatment. We present our management of one such occurrence. The patient, who had 5 years previously undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, presented after a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage which resulted in spastic tetraplegia. He was unable to consume food and was at risk of malnutrition. A decision was made to laparoscopically create a percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) into the excluded stomach, allowing for the use of standard feeding formula and avoiding the need for parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospitalization due to metabolic complications. The growing number of patients following bariatric procedures directs the need for novelty treatment options suited to the altered anatomy and physiology of the patient post-bariatric surgery. Prompt evaluation of long-term complications after cardiovascular events in patients operated with bariatric surgical technics reduced nutritional complications, rated hospital stay, and improved quality of life. In those patients who, due to the localization of the brain defect, are expected to be unable to feed independently due to the consequences of the latter and have either long-term or lifelong feeding through feeding tubes, it is necessary to establish an enteral feeding pathway through which the patient can receive a standard nutritional formula. This prevents the patient from developing metabolic complications and related complications. At the same time, we enable inpatient accommodation without the risk of dietary complications associated with bariatric surgery.