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Fink et al: Roux‐en‐Y procedure to reconstruct the upper gastrointestinal tract in six dogs and five cats: A descriptive case series
Veterinary Surgery 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Roux-en-Y procedures were successfully completed in all 11 cases (6 dogs, 5 cats), despite case complexity and disease severity.
  • Median survival post-discharge was longer in cats (365 days) vs. dogs (82 days), with better outcomes in non-neoplastic vs. neoplastic disease (192 vs. 5 days).
  • Complication rate was high, with septic peritonitis, dehiscence, and cardiac arrest as leading causes of postoperative death; mortality rate = 36%.
  • Dehiscence rate was 8.6% (2 of 23 anastomoses), considered lower than typical rates for GI anastomoses in high-risk patients.
  • Feeding tubes (gastrostomy/jejunostomy) were used in all cases, enabling early nutritional support and stomach decompression.
  • Postoperative nausea and vomiting were common but mostly self-limiting; managed with metoclopramide, cisapride, and antiemetics.
  • Choledochojejunostomy was preferred when common bile duct was dilated, offering a favorable size match and potentially reducing bile leakage.
  • Roux-en-Y reduced typical Billroth II complications (e.g., bile reflux, afferent loop syndrome, dumping syndrome), with none observed in discharged patients.

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← Articles

Fink et al: Roux‐en‐Y procedure to reconstruct the upper gastrointestinal tract in six dogs and five cats: A descriptive case series
Veterinary Surgery 5, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Roux-en-Y procedures were successfully completed in all 11 cases (6 dogs, 5 cats), despite case complexity and disease severity.
  • Median survival post-discharge was longer in cats (365 days) vs. dogs (82 days), with better outcomes in non-neoplastic vs. neoplastic disease (192 vs. 5 days).
  • Complication rate was high, with septic peritonitis, dehiscence, and cardiac arrest as leading causes of postoperative death; mortality rate = 36%.
  • Dehiscence rate was 8.6% (2 of 23 anastomoses), considered lower than typical rates for GI anastomoses in high-risk patients.
  • Feeding tubes (gastrostomy/jejunostomy) were used in all cases, enabling early nutritional support and stomach decompression.
  • Postoperative nausea and vomiting were common but mostly self-limiting; managed with metoclopramide, cisapride, and antiemetics.
  • Choledochojejunostomy was preferred when common bile duct was dilated, offering a favorable size match and potentially reducing bile leakage.
  • Roux-en-Y reduced typical Billroth II complications (e.g., bile reflux, afferent loop syndrome, dumping syndrome), with none observed in discharged patients.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Fink 2025 et al., on Roux-en-Y outcomes, what was the reported overall postoperative mortality rate?

A. 12%
B. 22%
C. 36%
D. 44%
E. 58%

Answer: 36%

Explanation: Out of 11 animals, 4 died postoperatively, giving a mortality rate of 36%.
In Fink 2025 et al., on Roux-en-Y outcomes, which postoperative intervention was commonly used to manage nausea and vomiting due to ileus?

A. Total parenteral nutrition
B. High-dose opioids
C. Gastrostomy decompression and cisapride
D. Cholecystectomy with drains
E. Esophagostomy tube placement

Answer: Gastrostomy decompression and cisapride

Explanation: G-tubes were used to decompress the stomach, and cisapride was used to stimulate motility.
In Fink 2025 et al., on Roux-en-Y outcomes, which finding was associated with better survival outcomes post-surgery?

A. Use of jejunostomy tubes
B. Biliary tract neoplasia
C. Preservation of the pyloric antrum
D. Non-neoplastic underlying disease
E. Shorter jejunal loop (<10 cm)

Answer: Non-neoplastic underlying disease

Explanation: Animals with non-neoplastic disease had a median survival of 192 days vs. 5 days for neoplastic disease.
In Fink 2025 et al., on Roux-en-Y outcomes, which anastomosis type was preferred when the common bile duct was severely dilated?

A. Cholecystoduodenostomy
B. Billroth II
C. Choledochojejunostomy
D. Jejunojejunostomy
E. Pancreaticojejunostomy

Answer: Choledochojejunostomy

Explanation: Choledochojejunostomy was favored due to favorable size match with the intestinal lumen when the CBD was dilated.
In Fink 2025 et al., on Roux-en-Y outcomes, which complication had the **lowest** reported incidence?

A. Septic peritonitis
B. Bile leakage
C. Dehiscence
D. Nausea or vomiting
E. Cardiac arrest

Answer: Bile leakage

Explanation: Bile leakage was not reported in any animal postoperatively, making it the least observed complication.

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