Situs inversus and bariatric surgery: A challenge for the surgical team.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic and is closely associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and overall mortality. Surgery has emerged as an essential strategy to ameliorate obesity-attributable comorbidities and as a powerful weight-loss tool. Due to the increasing number of obese patients predicted to elect surgery, individuals with rare anomalies such as situs inversus can be expected.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 49-year-old woman with situs inversus with levocardia. She had a high BMI and was admitted for bariatric surgery. After several adjustments to our technique, the procedure was completed without complications.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Laparoscopic bariatric surgeries are highly demanding; variations from the normal anatomy could challenge the medical team.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative diagnosis and highly trained surgeons is of paramount importance to adequately treat every patient.