• Miriam Seligman Menezes, Kelly O Harada, and Glauco Alvarez.
• Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS. miriamsm@husm.ufsm.br
• Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2008 May 1; 58 (3): 252-9.

Background And ObjectivesThe number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery increases every year and the frequency of complications associated with this procedure has been increasing. The main complications reported are nutritional, metabolic, neurological, and psychological/psychiatric. Among the neurological complications, peripheral neuropathies are important due to their high incidence. The objective of this report was to stress the importance of this type of complication, in which the initial manifestation might be neuropathic pain followed or accompanied by motor involvement, and whose prognosis depends on early diagnosis and treatment.Case ReportsThe case of three patients were reported, two females and one male, who underwent bariatric surgery (restrictive method - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) and developed, postoperatively, peripheral neuropathy with neuropathic pain as the initial symptom, with posterior or concomitant motor involvement. Electroneuromyography demonstrated in all three cases a sensitive-motor axonal peripheral neuropathy. In two patients, the fibular nerves were severely affected. In common, they all had an important weight loss in a short period of time before developing neurological symptoms.ConclusionsNeurological complications are one of the most feared complications of bariatric surgeries. Nutritional deficiencies secondary to the surgery are the most important factors in its pathogeny. Nutritional surveillance, avoidance of severe and fast weight loss, and nutritional supplements are fundamental to avoid complications, especially neurological complications.

10 keywords...

hide…