Mesenteric Panniculitis—First Case Series After Bariatric Surgery

Mesenteric panniculitis is an uncommon pathology, of poorly understood etiology, characterized by progressive inflammation and fibrosis of the small bowel mesentery. This disease has been reported usually after other abdominal surgeries. We present two cases of young male patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and developed abdominal symptoms within 45–60 days of surgery. Both were investigated for known post-bariatric complications. While first patient presented (5 months later) at an irreversible stage and died within 8–9 months of primary surgery, in second patient, the disease process could be reversed through early intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and compliance. Mesenteric panniculitis is a rapidly progressive entity, which can be adequately treated by early identification and long-term immune-suppressive therapy.