Endoscopic sclerotherapy for the treatment of weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: outcomes, complications, and predictors of response in 575 procedures

Abstract

Background: Weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is common. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is increasingly used to treat this weight regain.

Objectives: To report safety, outcomes, durability, and predictors of response to sclerotherapy in a large prospective cohort.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study of patients with weight regain after RYGB.

Patients: A total of 231 consecutive patients undergoing 575 sclerotherapy procedures between September 2008 and March 2011.

Interventions: Single or multiple sclerotherapy procedures to inject sodium morrhuate into the rim of the gastrojejunal anastomosis.

Main outcome measurements: We report weight loss, complications, and predictors of response. We also used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test to compare time to continuation of weight regain after sclerotherapy in patients undergoing a single versus multiple sclerotherapy procedures.

Results: At 6 and 12 months from the last sclerotherapy procedure, weight regain stabilized in 92% and 78% of the cohort, respectively. Those who underwent 2 or 3 sclerotherapy sessions had significantly higher rates of weight regain stabilization than those who underwent a single session (90% vs 60% at 12 months; P = .003). The average weight loss at 6 months from the last sclerotherapy session for the entire cohort was 10 lb (standard deviation 16), representing 18% of the weight regained after RYGB. A subset of 73 patients (32% of the cohort) had greater weight loss at 6 months (26 lb, standard deviation 12), representing 61% of the weight regained. Predictors of a favorable outcome included greater weight regain and the number of sclerotherapy procedures. Bleeding was reported in 2.4% of procedures and transient diastolic blood pressure increases in 15%, without adverse health outcomes. No GI perforations were reported.

Conclusions: Endoscopic sclerotherapy appears to be a safe and effective tool for the management of weight regain after RYGB.