Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Pregnancy after gastric bypass surgery and internal hernia formation.

Kakarla N, Dailey C, Marino T, Shikora SA, Chelmow D

Divisions of General Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. nkakarla@bcm.tmc.edu

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure that is increasingly performed in the United States to treat morbid obesity. Because of the changes associated with pregnancy, women with a history of gastric bypass surgery may be at an increased risk of gastrointestinal complications during the antepartum period, as demonstrated by these cases. CASES: The first patient presented at 12 weeks of gestation with abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan revealed rotation of the small bowel mesentery. In the operating room, a Petersen's internal hernia was observed. The second patient presented at 34 weeks of gestation with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. An abdominal computed tomography scan suggested distention of the biliopancreatic limb, duodenum, and bypassed stomach. She underwent exploratory laparotomy with repair of an internal (mesenteric loop) hernia. CONCLUSION: As obstetricians, we should be aware of the potential for internal hernias in pregnant patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Published 2 May 2005 in Obstet Gynecol, 105(5): 1195-8.
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