Factors associated with complications or failure of endoscopic balloon dilation of anastomotic stricture secondary to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Introduction: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a commonly used technique of bariatric surgery. One of the most important complications is gastrojejunal anastomotic stricture. Endoscopic balloon dilation appears to be well tolerated and effective, but well-designed randomized, controlled trials have not yet been conducted. Objective: Identify factors associated with complications or failure of endoscopic balloon dilation of anastomotic stricture secondary to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Setting: Gastrointestinal endoscopy service, university hospital, Brazil. Methods: The records of 64 patients with anastomotic stricture submitted to endoscopic dilation with hydrostatic balloon dilation were reviewed. Information was collected on gastric pouch length, anastomosis diameter before dilation, number of dilation sessions, balloon diameter at each session, anastomosis diameter after the last dilation session, presence of postsurgical complications, endoscopic complications, and outcome of dilation. Comparisons were made among postsurgical and endoscopic complications; number of dilations, balloon diameter; anastomosis diameter before dilation; and dilation outcome. Results: Success of dilation treatment was 95%. Perforation was positively and significantly associated with the number of dilation sessions (P =.03). Highly significant associations were found between ischemic segment and perforation (P <.001) and between ischemic segment and bleeding (P =.047). Ischemic segment (P =.02) and fistula (P =.032) were also associated with dilation failure. Conclusion: Ischemic segment and fistula were found to be important risk factors for balloon dilation failure. The greater the number of dilation sessions, the greater the number of endoscopic complications. (C) 2016 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.