Perforated marginal ulcer after gastric bypass for obesity: a systematic review

Marginal ulcers are a recognized complication of gastric bypass procedures for obesity. Perforated marginal ulcer (PMU) is a life-threatening complication of marginal ulcers. We performed a systematic review to understand the presentation, management, and outcomes of PMUs. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases were searched to identify all studies on PMUs after gastric bypass procedures. A total of 610 patients were identified from 26 articles. The mean age was 39.8 +/- 2.59 years, and females represented most of the cohort (67%). The mean body mass index was 43.2 +/- 5.67 kg/m2. Most of the patients had undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (98%). The time gap between the primary bariatric surgery and the diagnosis of PMU was 27.5 +/- 8.56 months. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (99.5%) and a computed tomography scan was the diagnostic modality used in 72% of the patients. Only 15% of patients were on prophylactic proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers at the time of perforation, and 41% of patients were smoking at the time. Twenty-three percent of patients were on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Laparoscopic omental patch repair of the perforation (59%) was the most used technique; 18% of patients underwent open surgery, and 20% were managed non-surgically. Thirty-day mortality was 0.97%; it was 1.21% (n=5) and 0% (n=0) in those who were managed surgically and nonsurgically, respectively. Ulcers recurred in 5% of patients. In conclusion, PMU is a surgical emergency after gastric bypass that can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. This is the first systematic review in scientific literature characterizing this condition. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2022;18:1168-1175.) (c) 2022 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.