Intrathoracic Sleeve Migrations After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Compilation of Case Reports

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the United States. Postoperative migration of the stomach into the chest is a rare complication of this procedure. In this study, we present a compilation of acute and chronic intrathoracic sleeve migrations (ITSMs) after LSG and present possible underlying mechanisms of this complication, as described in the literature. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative course of patients who had an ITSM after LSG between 2011 and 2019. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Two patients presented with this complication in the acute setting, whereas 3 patients developed ITSM as a chronic issue years after the primary procedure. All 5 were female patients, with a mean age and body mass index of 55.6 ± 9.5 (years) and 37.8 ± 2.9 kg/m², respectively. None of the cases had a hiatal hernia repair during the initial operation. All cases were completed laparoscopically with reduction of the migrated sleeve into the abdomen and primary hiatal hernia repair. One case required a return to the operating room for an acute reherniation. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In this article, we report a compilation of cases of ITSMs after LSG with distinct clinical features that highlight the diversity of possible reasons and risk factors for its development.