Laparoscopic Revision of Bariatric Surgeries in Two Patients with Severe Resistant Hypocalcemia After Endocrine Cervical Surgery

Obes Surg. 2020 Apr;30(4):1616-1620. doi: 10.1007/s11695-019-04132-8.

Abstract

Severe hypocalcemia complicating cervical endocrine surgery in patients with gastric bypass can constitute a major concern. When usual therapies fail to maintain calcemia within the normal range without secondary adverse events, reversal of the bariatric surgery should be considered. We herein report the outcomes of laparoscopic revision of bariatric surgeries in two patients suffering from severe resistant hypocalcemia following cervical surgery, requiring in one case recombinant PTH administration and, in the other, daily intravenous calcium injections. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was switched to sleeve gastrectomy in the first patient, and in the second patient, the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch was revised, to restore the upper and distal parts of the alimentary tract. Rapid improvement of hypocalcemia was observed in both cases.

Keywords: Biliopancreatic diversion; Hypocalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Malabsorptive bariatric surgery; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bariatric Surgery* / adverse effects
  • Gastrectomy / adverse effects
  • Gastric Bypass* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hypocalcemia* / drug therapy
  • Hypocalcemia* / etiology
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Obesity, Morbid* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Weight Loss