Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity. The Importance of Preoperative Evaluation and Selection

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent in morbidly obese patients, and its severity appears to correlate with body mass index (BMI). AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the status of GERD after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of all the patients who underwent LSG from February 2008 to May 2011 was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included. The mean age and the BMI of the patients were 49.4 years and 48.9 kg/m(2), respectively. Prior to LSG, subjective reflux symptoms were reported in 67 (51%) patients. Anatomical presence of hiatal hernia was endoscopically confirmed in 35 (52%) patients who reported reflux symptoms prior to LSG. All these patients underwent simultaneous hiatal hernia repair during their LSG. The overall mean operative time was 106 min (range: 48-212 min). There were no intra- and 30-day postoperative complications. Out of the 67 preoperative reflux patients, 32 (47.7%) reported resolution of their symptoms after the operation, 20 (29.9%) reported clinical improvement, and 12 (22.2%) reported unchanged or persistent symptoms. Three patients developed new-onset reflux symptoms, which were easily controlled with proton pump inhibitors. No patient required conversion to gastric bypass or duodenal switch because of the severe reflux symptoms. At 18 months, the follow-up data were available in 60% of the total patients. CONCLUSION: LSG results in resolution or improvement of the reflux symptoms in a large number of patients. Proper patient selection, complete preoperative evaluation to identify the presence of hiatal hernia, and good surgical techniques are the keys to achieve optimal outcomes.