Background: Morpho-functional modifications of the gastric remnant after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) have not been completely defined, due to its inaccessibility for bioptic mapping. The aim of the study is to evaluate such modifications using Gastropanel®, a non-invasive blood test cross-checking four gastric biomarkers, able to provide a snapshot of mucosa conditions.
Subjects and methods: Twenty-four women undergoing RYGB were prospectively enrolled. Gastropanel® parameters (pepsinogens, Gastrin-17 and immunoglobulins against Helicobacter pylori), biometrical/clinical data were collected preoperatively and at 6-months follow-up.
Results: All parameters showed significant reduction (p < 0.05). Pepsinogen I reduction correlated with BMI percent decrease.
Conclusions: The exclusion of food transit is responsible for significant drop in gastric output, hardly representing a risk factor in the remnant carcinogenesis, being unexposed to alimentary carcinogenic agents.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Gastric biomarkers; Gastric bypass; Gastric cancer; Gastric remnant; Obesity.