Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Obesity Surgery 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Review

Neurological Complications of Bariatric Surgery

Author: Anne Landais

Published in: Obesity Surgery | Issue 10/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Obesity is reaching pandemic proportions, and the number of bariatric surgeries is increasing. Neurological complications of bariatric procedures are more and more frequently reported and physicians need to recognize and be able to manage them. Neurological complications may result from mechanical or inflammatory mechanisms, but mainly from nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin B12, folate, thiamine, vitamin D, and vitamin E are the most frequent deficiencies. Different patterns of complications can be observed that may differ from time to presentation. At an early stage, immediate peripherical nerve injury, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, and polyradiculoneuropathy are the most frequent. Late complications may appear after years and include optic neuropathy, myelopathy, peripherical neuropathy, and myopathy. Bariatric surgery patients should benefit from careful nutritional follow-up with routine monitoring of micronutrients at 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months post-op and then annually after surgery, and multivitamin supplementation for life.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kit BK. Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults, 199-2010. JAMA. 2012;307(5):491–7.PubMedCrossRef Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kit BK. Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults, 199-2010. JAMA. 2012;307(5):491–7.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Finfelstein EA, Trogdon JG, Cohen JW. Annual medical spending attributable to obesity : payer and service-specific estimates. Health Aff (Millwood). 2009;28(5):w822–31.CrossRef Finfelstein EA, Trogdon JG, Cohen JW. Annual medical spending attributable to obesity : payer and service-specific estimates. Health Aff (Millwood). 2009;28(5):w822–31.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Koffman BM, Greenfield J, Ali II, et al. Neurologic complications after surgery for obesity Muscle. Nerve. 2006;33:166–1676.CrossRef Koffman BM, Greenfield J, Ali II, et al. Neurologic complications after surgery for obesity Muscle. Nerve. 2006;33:166–1676.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Abarbanel JM, Berginer VM, Osimani A, et al. Neurologic complications after gastric restriction surgery for morbid obesity. Neurology. 1987;37:196–200.PubMedCrossRef Abarbanel JM, Berginer VM, Osimani A, et al. Neurologic complications after gastric restriction surgery for morbid obesity. Neurology. 1987;37:196–200.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Thaisetthawatkul P, Collazo-Clavell ML, Sarr MG, et al. A controlled study of peripheral neuropathy after bariatric surgery. Neurology. 2004;63(8):1462–70.PubMedCrossRef Thaisetthawatkul P, Collazo-Clavell ML, Sarr MG, et al. A controlled study of peripheral neuropathy after bariatric surgery. Neurology. 2004;63(8):1462–70.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Folope V, Coeffier M, Déchelotte P. Nutritional deficiencies associated with bariatric surgery. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2007;31:369–77.PubMedCrossRef Folope V, Coeffier M, Déchelotte P. Nutritional deficiencies associated with bariatric surgery. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2007;31:369–77.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Frantz DJ. Neurologic complications of bariatric surgery: involvement of central, peripherical and enteric nervous system. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2012;14:367–72.PubMedCrossRef Frantz DJ. Neurologic complications of bariatric surgery: involvement of central, peripherical and enteric nervous system. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2012;14:367–72.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Ciangura C, Corigliano N. Obesity surgery and its adverse effects. Rev Med Interne. 2012;33:318–27.PubMedCrossRef Ciangura C, Corigliano N. Obesity surgery and its adverse effects. Rev Med Interne. 2012;33:318–27.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Juhasz-Pocsine K, Rudnicki SA, Archer RL, et al. Neurologic complications of gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Neurology. 2007;68(21):1843–50.PubMedCrossRef Juhasz-Pocsine K, Rudnicki SA, Archer RL, et al. Neurologic complications of gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Neurology. 2007;68(21):1843–50.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Chaudhry V, Umapathy T, Ravich WJ. Neuromuscular diseases and disorders of the alimentary system. Muscle Nerve. 2002;25:768–84.PubMedCrossRef Chaudhry V, Umapathy T, Ravich WJ. Neuromuscular diseases and disorders of the alimentary system. Muscle Nerve. 2002;25:768–84.PubMedCrossRef
13.
14.
go back to reference Kazemi A, Frazier T, Cave M. Micronutrient related neurologic complications following bariatric surgery. Current Gastroenterol Rep. 2010;12(4):288–95.CrossRef Kazemi A, Frazier T, Cave M. Micronutrient related neurologic complications following bariatric surgery. Current Gastroenterol Rep. 2010;12(4):288–95.CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Provenzale D, Reinhold RB, Golner B, et al. Evidence of diminished B12 absorption after gastric bypass: oral supplementation does not prevent low plasma B12 levels in bypass patients. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992;11:29–35.PubMedCrossRef Provenzale D, Reinhold RB, Golner B, et al. Evidence of diminished B12 absorption after gastric bypass: oral supplementation does not prevent low plasma B12 levels in bypass patients. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992;11:29–35.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Dreyfus PM, Victor M. Effect of thiamine deficiency on the central nervous system. Am J Clin Nutrition. 1961;9:414–25. Dreyfus PM, Victor M. Effect of thiamine deficiency on the central nervous system. Am J Clin Nutrition. 1961;9:414–25.
17.
go back to reference Sechi G, Serra A. Wernicke’s encephalopathy: new clinical settings and recent advances in diagnosis and management. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6:442–55.PubMedCrossRef Sechi G, Serra A. Wernicke’s encephalopathy: new clinical settings and recent advances in diagnosis and management. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6:442–55.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Sechi G. Prognosis and therapy of Wernicke’s encephalopathy after obesity surgery. American Journal of gastroenterology 2008; 103(12, article3219). Sechi G. Prognosis and therapy of Wernicke’s encephalopathy after obesity surgery. American Journal of gastroenterology 2008; 103(12, article3219).
19.
go back to reference Ke ZJ, De Giorgio LA, Volpe BT, et al. Reversal of thiamine deficiency-induced neurodegeneration. Journal of Neuropathology and experimental. Neurology. 2003;62(2):95–207. Ke ZJ, De Giorgio LA, Volpe BT, et al. Reversal of thiamine deficiency-induced neurodegeneration. Journal of Neuropathology and experimental. Neurology. 2003;62(2):95–207.
20.
go back to reference Becker DA, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL. The neurological complications of nutritional deficiency following bariatric surgery. J Obesity. 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/608534. Becker DA, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL. The neurological complications of nutritional deficiency following bariatric surgery. J Obesity. 2012. doi:10.​1155/​2012/​608534.
21.
go back to reference Matrana MR, Davis WE. Vitamin deficiency after gastric bypass surgery: a review. South Med J. 2009;102(10):1025–35.PubMedCrossRef Matrana MR, Davis WE. Vitamin deficiency after gastric bypass surgery: a review. South Med J. 2009;102(10):1025–35.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Kumar N, MacEvor KM, Ahslkog JE. Myelopathy due to copper deficiency following gastro-intestinal surgery. Arch Neurol. 2003;60(12):1782–85.PubMedCrossRef Kumar N, MacEvor KM, Ahslkog JE. Myelopathy due to copper deficiency following gastro-intestinal surgery. Arch Neurol. 2003;60(12):1782–85.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Pineles SL, Wilson CA, Balcer LJ, et al. Combined optic neuropathy and myelopathy secondary to copper deficiency. Survey Ophtalmplogy. 2010;55(4):386–92.CrossRef Pineles SL, Wilson CA, Balcer LJ, et al. Combined optic neuropathy and myelopathy secondary to copper deficiency. Survey Ophtalmplogy. 2010;55(4):386–92.CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Shafi MA, Pasricha PJ. Postsurgical and obstructive gastroparesis. Curr Gastroentrol Rep. 2007;9(4):280–5.CrossRef Shafi MA, Pasricha PJ. Postsurgical and obstructive gastroparesis. Curr Gastroentrol Rep. 2007;9(4):280–5.CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Culibattoli L, Barneschi C, Mastrocinque E. Cardiac arrest after gastric balloon insertion in asuper-obese patient. Obs Surg. 2009;19(2):253–6.CrossRef Culibattoli L, Barneschi C, Mastrocinque E. Cardiac arrest after gastric balloon insertion in asuper-obese patient. Obs Surg. 2009;19(2):253–6.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Antunez E, Estruch R, Cardenal C, et al. Usefulness of CT and MR imaging in the diagnosis of acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Am J Roentgenol. 1998;171:1131–7.CrossRef Antunez E, Estruch R, Cardenal C, et al. Usefulness of CT and MR imaging in the diagnosis of acute Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Am J Roentgenol. 1998;171:1131–7.CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Chunjiu Z, Lirong J, Guoqiang F. MR imaging of nonalcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy: a follow-up study. Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26:2301–5. Chunjiu Z, Lirong J, Guoqiang F. MR imaging of nonalcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy: a follow-up study. Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26:2301–5.
28.
go back to reference White LM, Zhang Y, Andrew LG, et al. MR imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging in acute and chronic Wernicke encephalopathy. Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26:2306–10.PubMed White LM, Zhang Y, Andrew LG, et al. MR imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging in acute and chronic Wernicke encephalopathy. Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26:2306–10.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Zuccoli G, Gallucci M, Capellades J, et al. Wernicke encephalopathy : MR findings at clinical presentation in twenty-six alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007;28:1328–31.PubMedCrossRef Zuccoli G, Gallucci M, Capellades J, et al. Wernicke encephalopathy : MR findings at clinical presentation in twenty-six alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007;28:1328–31.PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Philipi N, Vinzio S, Collongues N, et al. Peripherical neuropathies after bariatric surgery. Rev Neurol. 2011;167(8-9):607–14.CrossRef Philipi N, Vinzio S, Collongues N, et al. Peripherical neuropathies after bariatric surgery. Rev Neurol. 2011;167(8-9):607–14.CrossRef
31.
go back to reference Chaves LC, Faintuch J, Kahwag S, et al. A cluster of polyneuropathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in a Bariatric unit. Obesity Surg. 2012;12:328–34.CrossRef Chaves LC, Faintuch J, Kahwag S, et al. A cluster of polyneuropathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in a Bariatric unit. Obesity Surg. 2012;12:328–34.CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Smith FC, Goodman GN, Edward CB. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a 7-year retrospective review of 3,855 patients. Obes Surg. 1995;5:314–8.PubMedCrossRef Smith FC, Goodman GN, Edward CB. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a 7-year retrospective review of 3,855 patients. Obes Surg. 1995;5:314–8.PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Smets RM, Waeben M. Unusual combination of night blindness and optic neuropathy after biliopancreatic bypass. Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol. 1999;271:93–6.PubMed Smets RM, Waeben M. Unusual combination of night blindness and optic neuropathy after biliopancreatic bypass. Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol. 1999;271:93–6.PubMed
34.
go back to reference Spits Y, De Laey JJ, Leroy BP. rapid recovery of night blindness due to obesity surgery after vitamin A repletion therapy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004;88:583–5.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Spits Y, De Laey JJ, Leroy BP. rapid recovery of night blindness due to obesity surgery after vitamin A repletion therapy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004;88:583–5.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Hatizifotis M, Dolan K, Newbury L, et al. Symptomatic vitamin A deficiency following biliopancreatic diversion. Obes Surg. 2003;13:655–7.PubMedCrossRef Hatizifotis M, Dolan K, Newbury L, et al. Symptomatic vitamin A deficiency following biliopancreatic diversion. Obes Surg. 2003;13:655–7.PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Lee WB, Hamilton SM, Harris JP, et al. Ocular complications of hypovitaminosis A after bariatric surgery. Ophtalmlogy. 2005;112:1031–4.CrossRef Lee WB, Hamilton SM, Harris JP, et al. Ocular complications of hypovitaminosis A after bariatric surgery. Ophtalmlogy. 2005;112:1031–4.CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Slater GH, Ren CJ, Siegel N, et al. Serum fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and abnormal calcium metabolism after malabsoptive bariatric surgery. J Gastrointestinal Surg. 2004;8:48–55.CrossRef Slater GH, Ren CJ, Siegel N, et al. Serum fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and abnormal calcium metabolism after malabsoptive bariatric surgery. J Gastrointestinal Surg. 2004;8:48–55.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Hsia AW, Hattab EM, Katz JS. Malnutrition induced myopathy following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Muscle Nerve. 2001;24:1692–94.PubMedCrossRef Hsia AW, Hattab EM, Katz JS. Malnutrition induced myopathy following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Muscle Nerve. 2001;24:1692–94.PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Banerji NK, Hurwitz LJ. Nervous manifestations after gastric surgery. Acta Neurol Scand. 1971;47:485–513.PubMedCrossRef Banerji NK, Hurwitz LJ. Nervous manifestations after gastric surgery. Acta Neurol Scand. 1971;47:485–513.PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Mechanick JI, Kushner RFSugerman HJ, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practise for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009;17 Suppl 1:S1–70. Mechanick JI, Kushner RFSugerman HJ, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practise for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009;17 Suppl 1:S1–70.
Metadata
Title
Neurological Complications of Bariatric Surgery
Author
Anne Landais
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Obesity Surgery / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0960-8923
Electronic ISSN: 1708-0428
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-014-1376-x

Other articles of this Issue 10/2014

Obesity Surgery 10/2014 Go to the issue