Question:
Are there any cons to having transection?

I have a staple line disruption. My doctor said he was just going to repair it with double the original number of staples. I have seen a million arguments on this web site favoring transection. However, I would like to hear some arguments for leaving it attached. It seems like there must be some good reasons that not all surgeons do it. I'd appreciate any help I can get on this matter.    — Meredith A. (posted on March 4, 2002)

March 4, 2002
Sorry I can't give you any reason for not having transection. I had 8 rows of staples and I disrupted. If the surgeon is going to redo the stapling, why doesn't he transect? He must have some reason he does not favor transection??? I guess some people think that by leaving it attached, the small risk of leaking while you are in the hospital (the first 3 days) is diminished. But to me that risk was very small and to have a permanent pouch was more favorable to me. If it were me, I would find a surgeon to do the revision to transected pouch. The only way to make sure it won't happen again is by transection. I know this is difficult to face because I didn't want to admit it either. I thought people were just being negative when they told me transection was the only way and I didn't want to listen BUT turns out they were right! Good luck in your upcoming surgery. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who never disrupts this time. Can you request transection? Is it an option with your surgeon?
   — [Anonymous]

March 4, 2002
I've never heard of a surgeon NOT suggesting transection after a SLD. My original RNY was open, and I went to a different surgeon for a Lap transection. I was in the hospital 3 days, and went to the mall the day after I got home, it was that easy. I guess your surgeon's afraid of a leak, but when there is such trauma to a muscle (as in transection vs. stapling), it immediately starts to heal with scar tissue, kind of like a cut to the finger. When the stomach is just stapled, the body is doing what it's supposed to by rejecting the foreign objects. Obviously, this is JMO, but I don't think just stapling does it for those of us prone to disruptions. Good luck whatever you decide.
   — Leslie F.

March 4, 2002
The major con, and its a biggie, is the possibility, however slight of a leak which in the case of a transected stomach could be fatal.
   — [Anonymous]

March 4, 2002
My SLD and my repair was uneventful also. I had a buddy who posts here periodically who had SLD & his doc just repaired it. It SLD AGAIN 2 weeks later. I would not recommend a patch job if you want a permanent surgery.
   — vitalady