Question:
Rate of peritonitis with open vs lap RNY?

My surgeon only does open RNY. I am fine with the scar and him being able to see everything better. However, I am pre-op and, like some other posters, have some jitters. I know that peritonitis (inflamation of the abdominal cavity) is, of course, possible any time the abdomen is opened. Does anyone know if it is more common to develop peritonitis with an open RNY than with a lap procedure? Thanks! Caryn pre-op open RNY 10-16-03    — Caryn R. (posted on July 24, 2003)

July 24, 2003
Yes infection is more likely with open surgery because your insides are open to the air. With LAP your insides are inflated with a sterile gas.. In addition the incisional hernia risk is near zero with LAP but some say as much as 30% with open. In any case hernias are very common with opens. Weight loss is the same for either surgery. LAP has shorter hospital stays, usually 2 days or less. Thats why insurance is willing to pay for the more expensive LAP surgery.
   — Sam J.

July 24, 2003
i have read on here somewhere that lap is more at risk for leak simply because the surgeon might nick something that he can't see. Yes, there is a chance of infection with any open wound. It's probably a toss-up.
   — Delores S.

July 24, 2003
http://www.wlscenter.com/ResearchArticles/RisksOfSurgery.htm <P> This is a list of complications from the ASBS hosted on barb thompsons site. Her book is great and talks of the good and problems.
   — bob-haller

October 18, 2003
I had lap and developed peritonitis six weeks after surgery from an ulcer which grew rapidly in my pouch and perforated it.(spent 14 days in hospital!) I had no pain from the ulcer until the perforation ocurred...my surgeon suspects it was because the nerve endings in the stomach lining had not recovered from the initial surgery, so I felt no pain as the ulcer grew and eroded pouch tissue...it even made a fistula into the old stomach! I am on previcid twice daily (30 mg) and doing much better. Have another endoscopy in a month. Not sure this answers your question, but peritonitis usually happens because of a leak, I think.
   — Pat R.