Einstein (São Paulo) (Mar 2006)
The role of endoscopy in bariatric surgery
Abstract
The widespread use of bariatric surgery is justified by its safetyand good results associated with the impact of these proceduresover the means of communication. Multidisciplinary teamscomposed by surgeons, clinicians, endocrinologists,psychologists and nutritionists prepare the patients forthesurgery in order todecrease the frequency of postoperativecomplications. Endoscopists must be partof that team.Endoscopic evaluation gives valuable information both for thepreand postoperative periods of these patients. Vertical bandedgastroplasty with Roux-en-Y bypass and laparoscopic adjustablegastric banding are the most commonly performed bariatricoperations in Brazil. Food impaction, anastomotic stricture, ringor band erosion into the lumen,rupture of the stapling line withgastrocutaneous fistula can be safely treated by endoscopicmeans. Endoscopic treatment of spontaneous widening of theanastomosis in under evaluation. The study of histopathologycalchanges of the bypassed stomach was made possible with anew model of enteroscope.
