Factor VIII elevation may contribute to portomesenteric vein thrombosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a multicenter review of 40 patients

Background Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) has been increasingly reported after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Factor VIII (FVIII) is a plasma sialoglycoprotein that plays an essential role in hemostasis. There is increasing evidence that FVIII elevation constitutes a clinically important risk factor for venous thrombosis. Objectives To report the prevalence of FVIII elevation as well as other clinical characteristics in a multicenter series of patients who developed PMVT after LSG. Setting University hospitals. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients that developed PMVT after laparoscopic bariatric surgery from 2006 to 2016 at 6 high-volume bariatric surgery centers. Results Forty patients who developed PMVT postoperatively, all after LSG, were identified. During this timeframe, 25,569 laparoscopic bariatric surgery cases were performed, including 9749 LSG (PMVT incidence after LSG =.4%). Mean age and body mass index were 40 years (18–65) and 43.4 kg/m² (35–59.7), respectively. Abdominal pain was the most common (98%) presenting symptom. Of patients, 92% had a hematologic abnormality identified, and of these, FVIII elevation was the most common (76%). The vast majority (90%) was successfully managed with therapeutic anticoagulation alone. A smaller number of patients required small bowel resection (n = 2) and surgical thrombectomy (n = 1). There were no mortalities. Conclusions A high index of clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis/treatment of PMVT usually leads to favorable outcomes. FVIII elevation was the most common (76%) hematologic abnormality identified in this patient cohort. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of FVIII elevation in patients seeking bariatric surgery.