THE UTILITY OF GASTROGRAFFIN AS A ROUTINE SCREENING TEST FOR POSTBARIATRIC SURGERY LEAKAGE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Mohammad AL-Huniti*, Majed Alqaisi, Ramadan Hassanat, Abdallah ALShawabkeh, Rami Al-Omoor, Ahmad AL-Hroot and Sahel Haddadin
ABSTRACT
Background: In Jordan, obesity prevalence is alarmingly high, affecting both men and women. Bariatric surgery
has emerged as a critical solution to combat obesity. LSG is the most frequently performed procedure, although
LRYGB has often been considered the gold standard. Gastrograffin, a high-osmolality contrast medium, has
diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly for post-bariatric surgery complications. In this study, we
evaluated the role of Gastrograffin in detecting and preventing leaks. Methods: This retrospective single-center
study, conducted at Prince Ali Ben Al Hussein Hospital, Jordan, aimed to assess demographic, clinical, and postoperative
characteristics associated with post-operative Gastrograffin tests in patients who underwent bariatric
surgeries. Data were collected from medical records, encompassing variables such as age, gender, body mass
index (BMI), surgical type, and complications. Results: The study included 933 patients with a predominantly
female population. The median age was 34, with the majority aged between 26 and 45. Sleeve gastrectomy was
the most common procedure (93.6%), while LRYGB and gastric band surgeries accounted for 6.1% and 0.3%,
respectively. Complications occurred in 4.7% of patients, with postoperative bleeding, deep venous thrombosis,
and general weakness among them, with only one patient having a leak detected by gastrograffin. Conclusion:
Despite the routine use of gastrograffin test in 933 patients, there was only one positive test. Our study suggests
that there is no role for its routine use in primary bariatric surgery. Discontinuation of this practice would reduce
cost and intra-operative time.
Keywords: gastrograffin; bariatric surgery; leak; cost; time.
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