It can, therefore, be argued that a relative young age and a significant excess weight loss are contributing factors to the development of intussusception after weight loss surgery. In summary, female gender, a relative young age, and significant excess weight loss after gastric bypass surgery may be considered as potential risk factors for the development selleck chemicals Pazopanib of intussusception after gastric bypass surgery. 4.2. Etiology The etiology for developing intussusception after gastric bypass appears more complex than previously thought. To date, the most widely accepted view has been that the creation of Roux limb disrupts the natural intestinal pacemakers in the duodenum and allows for the formation of ectopic pacemakers or migratory motor complexes in the Roux limb.

It is believed that the electric potential generated by these ectopic pacemakers migrates in both the distal as well as the proximal limbs. This creates an area or segment of dysmotility, which according to some authors is responsible for developing intussusception in these patients [7, 10]. Researchers have also attributed the phenomenon of ��Roux stasis syndrome�� and the resultant delayed emptying to this alteration in motility [10]. Animal studies replicating Roux-en-Y gastric bypass construction have shown that suppression of these ectopic pacemakers by either electrical pacing or by using an ��uncut roux�� prevents stasis by maintaining enteric myoneural continuity [20]. It is our belief that the etiology of intussusception after gastric bypass is multifactorial and occurs due to the combination of the following: (1) disruption of the natural pacemakers.

In the process of creating the Roux limb, the distal jejunum is separated from the proximal jejunal pacemaker during transection. This leads to a decreased pacesetter potential in the distal Roux limb and causes activation of the ectopic pacemakers in this limb. These ectopic pacemakers generate new pace-setting potentials that travel in both distal as well as proximal direction, resulting in delayed emptying and stasis of the Roux limb; (2) thinning of the mesentery. Substantial weight loss causes potential thinning of the mesentery around the intestine. This leads to a decreased cushion effect and increased bowel mobility around the roux limb and the jejunojejunostomy site, thereby creating a zone of instability.

The combination of these two factors is believed to increase the risk of telescoping and intussusception and accentuate abnormal waves of dysmotility. This may explain why there is a delay in presentation and why most patients with this condition have lost a substantial amount of weight. Still, more analyses need to be made between patients with Cilengitide substantial weight loss from gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) and others to determine if rates of intussusception show a statistically significant difference. 4.3.