Roux-en-Y anastomosis refers to a surgical procedure commonly performed in gastrointestinal surgeries. It involves creating a new connection, or anastomosis, between two sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The procedure is named after the Swiss surgeon César Roux who first described it in the early 20th century.
In a Roux-en-Y anastomosis, the surgeon first makes an incision in the small intestine, usually at its upper part known as the jejunum. One end of the small intestine is then brought up and connected to another part of the gastrointestinal tract, typically the stomach or the esophagus.
This procedure is frequently performed to reconfigure the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in cases of gastric bypass surgery to treat obesity. By creating a new pathway for digestion, it restricts the amount of food that can be consumed and the absorption of nutrients, leading to weight loss. Roux-en-Y anastomosis can also be part of surgeries to treat conditions like gastric cancer, gastric ulcers, and esophageal disorders.
The term "Roux-en-Y" is derived from the name of the surgeon who developed the concept, César Roux, and the French word "en" meaning "in" or "inside." Anastomosis, on the other hand, comes from Greek, where "aná" means "up" and "stomos" means "mouth," referring to the joining of two passages. Overall, Roux-en-Y anastomosis is an important surgical technique used to rearrange the gastrointestinal tract for various medical purposes.
