Bariatric Weight-Loss Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Leak: Know the Signs and Symptoms 

Dr. Jason F. Moy
Dr. Brian T. Chin
Daniel Roman
October 19, 2023
Gastric Sleeve Leak: Know the Signs and Symptoms 

Gastric sleeve surgery, a common bariatric procedure, offers a transformative path to weight loss and improved health. However, like any surgery, it carries potential risks and complications. One of the more serious and rare complications that can occur after gastric sleeve surgery is a gastric sleeve leak. In this article, we delve into the essential details about gastric sleeve leaks, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Understanding Gastric Sleeve Leaks

During gastric sleeve surgery, a new connection is created in the intestines and stomach. While it is rare, sometimes a gap will form at the connection site, creating what’s referred to as an anastomosis. 

When a gastric sleeve leak occurs, digestive juices and partially digested food particles can leak through an anastomosis into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to severe infection. If the infection is not treated promptly, it can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and ultimately death. Gastric sleeve leak is rare, but a life-threatening complication in bariatric surgery. 

Recognizing Symptoms of Gastric Sleeve Leaks

Symptoms of a gastric sleeve leak can vary from one patient to another, often resembling other health conditions. Common symptoms of a gastric sleeve leak to be aware of include:

  • Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Drainage from a surgical wound
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Low blood pressure
  • Decreased urine output
  • Left chest or shoulder pain
  • Abdominal distention

To diagnose a gastric sleeve leak, doctors use a combination of methods. They start by talking to you about any symptoms you might be experiencing, like severe belly pain, fever, or trouble swallowing. Then, they might do a physical exam to check for signs of infection or swelling. Blood tests help them look for any issues in your blood. Doctors also use imaging tests, such as X-rays with contrast or CT scans, to see if there's any leakage. Another method is an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, where they use a flexible tube with a camera to directly look inside your stomach. Finding and treating a leak early is really important for a successful recovery.

A gastric sleeve leak is commonly treated with IV antibiotics to help clear the infection. Your surgeon will need to repair the leak surgically using one of two commonly performed procedures. The first involves placing a temporary stent across the leaking area via an upper endoscopy procedure. This is done from the inside of the gastric pouch or the small intestine. The second is surgically repairing the existing leaky anastomosis or making a new anastomosis. It takes about 6 weeks for a gastric sleeve leak to heal properly.

Preventing Gastric Sleeve Leaks

A gastric sleeve leak is a potentially life-threatening complication of gastric bypass surgery. It’s important to have a surgeon with specialized expertise in performing this procedure. It’s also crucial to have a medical team that provides excellent aftercare to monitor for potential surgical complications. You should know the signs of a gastric sleeve leak so you can report any symptoms to your surgeon right away. 

Our surgeons at the BASS Medical Group Bariatric Surgery Center have been performing bariatric surgery since 2002. They have performed more than 1,000 operations and our patients have had excellent results. 

Our patients have lost more weight than the national average and our complication rate is competitively low. Our surgeons’ experience, teamwork, and attention to detail have helped to ensure successful outcomes for all patients. You can schedule a consultation to meet a gastric bypass surgeon today. We look forward to partnering with you to reach your weight loss goals. 

About The Author

Daniel Roman, Content Writer

Daniel Roman is a Digital Content Writer at BASS Medical Group. He received his Masters in Journalism from UC Berkeley in 2021. Daniel has published multiple newspaper articles covering public health issues. His latest was a magazine cover story on pandemics and diseases that he co-wrote with Dr. Elena Conis, a historian of medicine, public health, and the environment.

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