GASTRIC PLICATION ASSOCIATED WITH FUNDOPLICATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CLASS I OBESITY AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE: WEIGHT LOSS OUTCOMES, REFLUX-RELATED SYMPTOMS, ENDOSCOPIC AND pH MONITORING FINDINGS

BACKGROUND: The association of gastric plication with fundoplication is a reliable option for the treatment of individuals with obesity associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. AIMS: To describe weight loss, endoscopic, and gastroesophageal reflux disease-related outcomes of gastric plication with fundoplication in individuals with mild obesity. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out, enrolling individuals who underwent gastric plication with fundoplication at a tertiary private hospital from 2015–2019. Data regarding perioperative and weight loss outcomes, endoscopic and 24-hour pH monitoring findings, and gastroesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 98 individuals, 90.2% were female. The median age was 40.4 years (IQR 32.1–47.8). The median body mass index decreased from 32 kg/m(2) (IQR 30,5–34) to 29.5 kg/m(2) (IQR 26.7–33.9) at 1–2 years (p<0.05); and to 27.4 kg/m(2) (IQR 24.1–30.6) at 2–4 years (p=0.059). The median percentage of total weight loss at 1–2 years was 7.8% (IQR −4.1–14.7) and at 2–4 years, it was 16.4% (IQR 4.3–24.1). Both esophageal and extra-esophageal symptoms showed a significant reduction (p<0.05). A significant decrease in the occurrence of esophagitis was observed (p<0.01). The median DeMeester score decreased from 30 (IQR 15.1–48.4) to 1.9 (IQR 0.93–5.4) (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The gastric plication with fundoplication proved to be an effective and safe technique, leading to a significant and sustained weight loss in addition to endoscopic and clinical improvement of gastroesophageal reflux disease.