Roux en Y Anastomosis is a surgical procedure used to create a connection between the stomach and the small intestine. The spelling of this term can be explained through IPA phonetic transcription as [ru ɑ̃] [waɪ] [əˌnæstəˈmoʊsɪs]. The first part "ru ɑ̃" represents the French phrase "Roux-en" which means "roux in". The "waɪ" in the middle represents the "Y" shape created in the procedure. Finally, "əˌnæstəˈmoʊsɪs" refers to the surgical joining of two structures, in this case, the stomach and small intestine.
Roux-en-Y Anastomosis is a surgical procedure commonly performed in gastrointestinal surgery, specifically in patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery or other similar procedures. It involves the creation of a new connection or pathway between the stomach and the small intestine.
In this procedure, the surgeon first creates a small pouch at the upper part of the stomach, significantly reducing its capacity. This smaller stomach pouch is then connected to the lower portion of the small intestine, bypassing a large portion of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine.
The term "Roux-en-Y" refers to the configuration of the small intestine after the procedure. The small intestine is divided into two segments: a long segment known as the Roux limb and a shorter segment called the Y limb. The small intestine is surgically reconnected, with one end being attached to the small pouch created from the stomach, and the other end being connected to the Roux limb. This configuration allows the digestive juices and food to mix in a modified manner, bypassing the majority of the stomach and upper small intestine.
Roux-en-Y Anastomosis is primarily used to treat obesity or severe cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). By connecting the smaller stomach pouch directly to the lower small intestine, this procedure limits the amount of food a person can consume and alters the digestion process, leading to weight loss. This surgical technique has been shown to have significant long-term success in helping patients achieve sustained weight loss as well as improving metabolic conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes.