Gastric ulcers in symptomatic patients following laparoscopic bariatric surgery are related to surgical procedures rather than exposure to H. pylori infection.

“There are few data relating to the role of H. pylori infection and surgical procedures on the occurrence of gastric ulcer following bariatric surgery. Subjects with upper gastrointestinal symptoms after bariatric surgery and receiving gastroscopic examinations were prospectively enrolled. All clinical data including age, sex, BMI before surgery, and surgical method were recorded,” researchers in Taiwan report.

C.S. Yang and colleagues at the National Taiwan University Hospital explained, “IgG antibodies against H. pylori were measured in preoperative serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A cohort of 636 patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) was recruited. The seropositivity of H. pylori in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after surgery was 39%. (32/82) and 39.7% (220/554) respectively.”

“Endoscopic examinations revealed that 22 (26.8%) of 82 symptomatic patients had a gastric ulcer. Comparison of demographic characteristics between patients with ulcer (n=22) and patients without ulcer (n=60) showed no difference in distribution of gender, age, BMI, and seroprevalence of H. pylori (27.3%, 6/22 vs 43.3%, 26/60, p=0.212),” determined researchers.

They concluded, “Patients undergoing LRYGBP showed a higher rate of gastric ulcer (45.5%, 10/22) when compared to patients undergoing LVBG (20%, 12/60; p=0.027). Gastric ulcers in symptomatic patients following laparoscopic bariatric surgery are related to surgical procedures rather than exposure to H. pylori infection.”

Yang and colleagues published their study in Obesity Surgery (The influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on the development of gastric ulcer in symptomatic patients after bariatric surgery. Obes Surg, 2006;16(6):735-739).

For additional information, contact M.S. Wu, National Taiwan University Hospital, Dept. of Internal Medical, No 7 Chung Shan S Rd., Taipei 100, Taiwan.

Publisher contact information for the journal Obesity Surgery is: F DCommunications Inc., 3100 Bayview Avenue, Unit 4, Toronto, Ontario M2N 5L3, Canada.