Obesity is one of the most significant health problems worldwide. Bariatric surgery has become one of the fastest growing operative procedures and has gained acceptance as the leading option for weight-loss. Despite improvement in the performance of bariatric surgical procedures, complications are not uncommon. There are a number of unique complications that arise in this patient population and require specific knowledge for proper management. Furthermore, conditions unrelated to the altered anatomy typically require a different management strategy. As such, a basic understanding of surgical anatomy, potential complications, and endoscopic tools and techniques for optimal management is essential for the practicing gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists should be familiar with these procedures and complication management strategies. This review will cover these topics and focus on major complications that gastroenterologists will be most likely to see in their practice.
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Correspondence: Christopher C. Thompson, MD, MSc, FACG, FASGE, AGAF, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, ASB II, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. E-mail: cthompson@hms.harvard.edu
Received 27 January 2017; accepted 27 June 2017
Guarantor of the article: Christopher C. Thompson, MD, MSc, FACG, FASGE, AGAF.
Specific author contributions: Drafting of the manuscript: Allison R. Schulman; this author has approved the final draft submitted. editing of the manuscript: Christopher C. Thompson; this author has approved the final draft submitted.
Financial support: None.
Potential competing interests: C.C. Thompson—Apollo Endosurgery (Consultant/Research Support); Olympus (Consultant/Research Support); Boston Scientific (Consultant); Covidien (Consultant, Royalty, Stock); Medtronic (Consultant, Royalty, Stock); USGI Medical (Consultant/Research Support). The remaining author declares no conflict of interest.
