Question:
Confirmed Staple Line Eruption & now DR wants 2 do an EGD, Why?

2 yr po open RNY, on Monday this wk I had an upper GI series and a ruptured staple line was confirmed by the radiologist. My surgeon called me and wants to do a EGD, he said the upper GI series was clouded and he couldn't really tell if I had a Staple Line Rupture, or if the barium had backed up from the Y into the old stomach, I don't understand this, I watched the barium flow into my old stomach and the radiologist confirmed I had a leak. My surgeon and I already discussed surgical repair, so I don't understand why the EGD. Any comments appreciated.    — Barbara M. (posted on November 12, 2003)

November 11, 2003
It's called covering they butt :>) His point may be valid and I'd certainly not argue with him on it. Think about his career and his insurance rates if he opened you up without being 100% certain you do have a SLD and found out you didn't. Not good!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 12, 2003
Barbara, I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to ask a question. What caused you to seek medical attention? What symptoms did you have? Obviously, you were not transected, were you having pain or just what caused the doctor visit? So sorry that you must now must undergo another surgical procedure, will your surgeon transect you this time? Good luck to you.
   — DebbieJ

November 12, 2003
I can't see a downside to a second test (as long as you're not gonna get smacked with a huge cost for it), but ... "barium . . . backed up from the Y into the old stomach"??? Whaaaaaazat?? Is that even possible, I wonder (and I'm guessing that's also part of what you're wondering, too!).
   — Suzy C.

November 12, 2003
Please post more on this, I wonder how long you had this rupture. I had no idea a staple line could rupture after 2 years? I hope everything goes well for you.
   — Kara J.

November 12, 2003
I never had a swallow, only the EGD. I was 5 yrs out. IN your case, they may be wanting to check the condition of the pouch before they mess with it. Since my diagnosis was via EGD, I didn't have both done. If you had any substantial acid back up from the old stomach (which was my main symptom), you might have some damage in the pouch and they can easily clear that up before your revision.
   — vitalady

November 13, 2003
Kara, a pouch that is not transected can disrupt at any time. Early on or years later. That is why transected pouch gives assurance of a permanent pouch. I cannot stress enough that it is soooooo important to be transected. Mine disrupted at 9 mos post op. Fortunately, I had a revision to transection 2 months later. Thanks to a great surgeon who admitted that nontransection, although more conservative, was not the way. He began transecting all this patients shortly after my disruption.
   — Mylou52