Anastomotic Stenosis and Ulcers

The occurrence of marginal ulcers after metabolic and bariatric surgery is a complication that can be painful and life threatening for the patient. Prompt recognition of symptoms with diagnosis and treatment is necessary to avoid life-threatening sequalae. Marginal ulcers can occur across all anastomotic metabolic procedures and require a plan for diagnosis and treatment. Technical causes as well as nontechnical causes of stricture may be present. Patients require optimization of nutrition, medical management, and cessation of agents that may cause marginal ulcers, such as nicotine use and NSAIDs. Treatment options range from medications to complex surgical revisions. Understanding both marginal ulcer and anastomotic stricture is essential to be able to recognize and treat these complications in metabolic and bariatric surgery.