Management of afferent loop obstruction: Reoperation or endoscopic and percutaneous interventions

Abstract

Afferent loop obstruction is a purely mechanical complication that infrequently occurs following construction of a gastrojejunostomy. The operations most commonly associated with this complication are gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and pancreaticoduodenectomy with conventional loop or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Etiology of afferent loop obstruction includes: (1) entrapment, compression and kinking by postoperative adhesions; (2) internal herniation, volvulus and intussusception; (3) stenosis due to ulceration at the gastrojejunostomy site and radiation enteritis of the afferent loop; (4) cancer recurrence; and (5) enteroliths, bezoars and foreign bodies. Acute afferent loop obstruction is associated with complete obstruction of the afferent loop and represents a surgical emergency, whereas chronic afferent loop obstruction is associated with partial obstruction. Abdominal multiple detector computed tomography is the diagnostic study of choice. CT appearance of the obstructed afferent loop consists of a C-shaped, fluid-filled tubular mass located in the midline between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery with valvulae conniventes projecting into the lumen. The cornerstone of treatment is surgery. Surgery includes: (1) adhesiolysis and reconstruction for benign causes; and (2) by-pass or excision and reconstruction for malignant causes. However, endoscopic enteral stenting, transhepatic percutaneous enteral stenting and direct percutaneous tube enterostomy have the principal role in management of malignant and radiation-induced obstruction. Nevertheless, considerable limitations exist as a former Roux-en-Y reconstruction limits endoscopic access to the afferent loop and percutaneous approaches for enteral stenting and tube enterostomy have only been reported in the literature as isolated cases.

Afferent loop syndrome caused by stenosis of jejunojejunal anastomosis of Roux-en-Y reconstruction

“…In addition, the transmission of high luminal pressure may impair the sphincter mechanisms of biliopancreatic duct system resulting in ascending cholangitis and acute pancreatitis. Causes for the obstruction can be compression by postoperative adhesions, internal hernia, volvulus, enteroenteral intussusception, kinking or stenosis of jejunojejunostomy anastomosis, recurrent malignancy and rarely the enterolith or bezoars [2]. Our patient had a stenosis of the jejunojejunostomy which could be due to chronic ischemia caused by tension or malposition.…”

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for afferent loop syndrome

“…Endoscopic drainage was unsuccessful because of a difficult cannulation into the dilated afferent loop. Resection and reconstruction of the necrotic intestine resulting from an internal hernia were performed in a method similar to a previous report . The patient's postoperative course was uneventful.…”

“…Resection and reconstruction of the necrotic intestine resulting from an internal hernia were performed in a method similar to a previous report. 1 The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. If a physician needs accurate anatomical information for a patient with ALS, MRCP may complement CT findings and help determine treatment strategies.…”

Percutaneous Transhepatic Self-expanding Metallic Stent Placement for the Treatment of Malignant Afferent Loop Obstruction

“…Afferent loop obstruction (ALO) is a rare complication that occurs after gastrojejunostomy. In most cases, ALO develops in association with gastrectomy and Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction, or pancreaticoduodenectomy with a conventional loop or Roux-en-Y reconstruction ( 1 ). Various etiologies of ALO have been reported, and the treatment differs between benign and malignant etiologies.…”