What You Should Know About Gastric Sleeve Leaks

Leaks are a potential risk that exist in any surgery where the GI tract is manipulated. Although uncommon, a leak can be seen in a sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.

What Is a Gastric Sleeve Leak?

To perform a gastric sleeve, a tissue stapler is used to divide the stomach in a vertical orientation. After surgery, the stomach is held together on its side by three rows of tiny staples. These staples serve as a type of scaffolding for the patient’s body to heal the newly sectioned stomach. Simply put, a leak occurs when the body does not scar in over the staple line and fluid from inside the stomach exits through a part of the staple line and into the abdominal cavity. Research has found that leaks are relatively rare and occur in 1-3% of Gastric Sleeve procedures. However, at St. Louis Bariatrics, leaks occur only in about 1 in 1,000 patients!

What Puts Me at Increased Risk for a Gastric Sleeve Leak?

• Nicotine use
• Advancing the diet too quickly post operatively. Our dietitian will educate you on the slow progression of the diet after surgery.
• Revision surgery such as converting from Gastric Band to Gastric Sleeve.
• Some patients are at higher risk to develop a leak if they suffer from poorly controlled medical problems such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, or Autoimmune Diseases.

What Are the Symptoms Associated With a Gastric Sleeve Leak?

Symptoms of a gastric leak may vary based on the timing of the leak and the severity. Leaks often occur within the first two weeks postoperatively. At St. Louis Bariatrics we complete a barium swallow at your postoperative appointment within this timeframe to help identify potential leaks early on.

Typical presentation: Signs and symptoms to look out for include abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and fever.

How Is a Gastric Sleeve Leak Treated?

The severity of the leak will then determine the treatment required. In some cases, this involves a follow up procedure to repair the leak. At St. Louis Bariatrics, our goal is to provide safe care to all of our patients. All risks will be discussed with you at your initial consultation, but we encourage patients to voice any concerns they may have at anytime!