Hiatal reconstruction is safe and effective for control of reflux after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux is a known complication following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as anatomical changes predispose to reduced lower esophageal sphincter pressure and development of hiatus hernia. The mainstay of surgical management has been Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) which is not without risk. Hiatus hernia repair (HHR) with surgical reattachment of the oesophagus to the crura, recreating the phreno-esophageal ligament is a simple procedure specifically targeting a number of anatomical changes responsible for reflux in this population. METHODS: We conducted a single centre retrospective analysis of adult patients with post-sleeve reflux refractory to medical treatment, managed with either HHR, RYGB or One-anastomosis Duodenal switch (OADS). PPI use and symptoms of reflux were assessed at early and mid-term time points via validated questionnaires. RESULTS: 99 patients were included, of these the surgical procedure was HHR alone in 58, RYGB in 29 and OADS in 12. At early follow-up control of reflux symptoms was achieved in 72.4% after HHR, 82.1% after RYGB and 100% after OADS with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.09). At mid-term followup (median 10 months IQR 7–21) there was no significant difference in the presence of symptomatic reflux as determined by post-op Visick score nor a difference in PPI use. The GerdQ score was significantly lower after OADS as compared to HHR and RYGB (4.6 ± 2.3 vs 7.7 ± 2.2 vs 8.7 ± 3.5, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: HHR with reconstruction of the phreno-esophageal ligament is a safe and effective procedure for patients with reflux after LSG, that avoids more complex operations such as RYGB and OADS and their associated long-term sequelae.