A Case and Brief Review of Bilious Ascites and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome from Pancreatitis-Induced Post-Roux-En-Y Gastric Remnant Leak

This is a case of a 55-year-old man with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery 15 years prior who presented with acute pancreatitis and developed distributive shock, bacteremia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, anuric acute renal failure, and a distended abdomen with increasing ascitic fluid on imaging. An elevated bladder pressure, lactic acidosis, and anuria raised concern for abdominal compartment syndrome. Paracentesis was done and four liters of bilious ascitic fluid were drained. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured and improved from 27 cmH2O to 13 cmH2O with paracentesis. Mean arterial pressure and urine output also improved. The patient developed recurrent loculated intra-abdominal fluid collections, though ultrasound, CT scans with and without contrast, MRCP, ERCP, upper GI fluoroscopy, and small bowel enteroscopy failed to reveal a source of the bilious output. Ultimately, a gastrostomy tube was placed and delivery of contrast material through the tube revealed active extravasation from the remnant stomach. This case underscores the importance of considering post-surgical leak regardless of how remotely a Roux-en-Y surgery took place, confirms the importance of pursuing early gastrostomy tube placement and contrast administration when post-Roux-en-Y gastric remnant leaks are suspected, and demonstrates the role of paracentesis in critically ill patients with abdominal compartment syndrome.