Semaglutide Linked to Bowel Obstruction in a Patient With Prior Gastric Bypass Surgery
A woman with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass developed intussusception, bowel obstruction, and chemical pancreatitis after starting semaglutide.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Semaglutide use in a post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patient led to intussusception with small bowel obstruction and chemical pancreatitis requiring surgical intervention.
Key Numbers
Patient: 59-year-old woman with prior Roux-en-Y. Developed long-segment small bowel intussusception, SBO, and chemical pancreatitis. Required laparoscopic surgery converted to laparotomy.
How They Did This
Single case report documenting clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical intervention, and outcome.
Why This Research Matters
Many patients who have had bariatric surgery are now being prescribed GLP-1 drugs for additional weight management or diabetes control. This case highlights that altered gut anatomy may increase the risk of serious GI complications with these medications.
The Bigger Picture
As GLP-1 drugs become more widely prescribed to post-bariatric surgery patients, understanding the unique risks in this population is essential. Altered anatomy and slowed gut motility from GLP-1 drugs may create a dangerous combination.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case report — cannot establish causation or incidence rate. The intussusception may have occurred independently of semaglutide use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are patients with prior bariatric surgery at higher risk for GI complications from GLP-1 drugs?
- ?Should GLP-1 RA prescribing guidelines include specific warnings for post-bariatric surgery patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Required emergency surgery Semaglutide-associated intussusception caused small bowel obstruction and pancreatitis in a post-Roux-en-Y patient, necessitating laparoscopic intervention
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case report — the lowest level of evidence. While it raises an important safety signal, it cannot prove that semaglutide caused the complication.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025, addressing a growing clinical scenario as more post-bariatric patients are prescribed GLP-1 drugs.
- Original Title:
- A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastric Roux-en-Y Patient Prescribed Semaglutide.
- Published In:
- Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open, 6(2), 100045 (2025)
- Authors:
- Pavuluri, Suresh K, Toumar, Ahmad, Duffy, Andrew J
- Database ID:
- RPEP-12993
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to take semaglutide after gastric bypass surgery?
This case raises concerns but does not prove it is unsafe. Many post-bariatric patients use GLP-1 drugs without complications. However, the altered gut anatomy may increase risk for rare complications like bowel obstruction. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
What is intussusception?
Intussusception is a condition where one section of the intestine telescopes or folds into an adjacent section, like a collapsible telescope. It can block the intestine and cut off blood supply, requiring emergency surgical treatment.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-12993APA
Pavuluri, Suresh K; Toumar, Ahmad; Duffy, Andrew J. (2025). A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastric Roux-en-Y Patient Prescribed Semaglutide.. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open, 6(2), 100045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100045
MLA
Pavuluri, Suresh K, et al. "A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastric Roux-en-Y Patient Prescribed Semaglutide.." Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100045
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastri..." RPEP-12993. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/pavuluri-2025-a-case-of-intussusception
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.