How Many Leak Tests Are Performed?

Q: How Many Leak Tests Are Performed?

We always perform 3 leak tests to prevent any complications after surgery. There are two during surgery. The first is where methyl blue is injected into the stomach and with the scopes, the surgeons look for blue dye in the abdominal cavity. In the second, the removed stomach is inflated with CO2 and is observed for deflation. The patient is not consciously aware of this either of these. The next leak test is one day after surgery. The patient will drink a hydrosoluble contrast solution and any leaks will be detected by X-ray. A patient receives a copy of the results of this last leak test. 90% of leaks are identified within 24 hours. 97% within 72 hours. This is why the surgeons have patients spend 2 to 3 nights in Mexico after surgery so that if any complication arises, they can treat it immediately. 3% of leaks are not identified before a patient leaves, so only 1 in 97,000 patients statistically will have a leak discovered after returning home. It's extremely rare but nevertheless a risk you must be made aware of. Related Resources: Read more about leaks after bariatric surgery Mexico Bariatric Center Deaths and Complication Rates 2021 Published MBC complication rates

We always perform 3 leak tests to prevent any complications after surgery. There are two during surgery. The first is where methyl blue is injected into the stomach and with the scopes, the surgeons look for blue dye in the abdominal cavity. In the second, the removed stomach is inflated with CO2 and is observed for deflation. The patient is not consciously aware of this either of these. The next leak test is one day after surgery. The patient will drink a hydrosoluble contrast solution and any leaks will be detected by X-ray. A patient receives a copy of the results of this last leak test.

90% of leaks are identified within 24 hours. 97% within 72 hours. This is why the surgeons have patients spend 2 to 3 nights in Mexico after surgery so that if any complication arises, they can treat it immediately. 3% of leaks are not identified before a patient leaves, so only 1 in 97,000 patients statistically will have a leak discovered after returning home. It’s extremely rare but nevertheless a risk you must be made aware of.

Related Resources:

By MBC Editor|2022-07-01T16:09:41+00:00November 2nd, 2020|Categories: Surgery|2 Comments

About the Author: MBC Editor

As the Editor of Mexico Bariatric Center, my passion is to share the amazing success of weight loss surgery with the entire world. I also enjoy guiding patients along their journey to overcoming obesity. There are many affordable options, some of which have similar equal quality standards as the United States. That is what we have built here at Mexico Bariatric Center. While working in the medical tourism industry for over a decade, I have had the privilege to participate in the evolution of patient care, safety standards, and quality bariatric surgery in countries like Mexico.

2 Comments

Vanessa jones August 22, 2023 at 10:56 pm - Reply
Thank you for responding to my message. I’m very interested in having the surgery done and I’ve been doing a lot of research and I’ve read about not being checked for leaks and those people go home too soon and they pass away so thank you for taking the time to explain to me, the steps you guys take for our safety.
- MBC Editor August 29, 2023 at 11:16 pm - Reply
  No problem Vanessa, we want to be completely transparent for our patient process so that patients can feel comfortable during their stay at MBC! :)

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