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ANTI-REFLUX PROCEDURES AFTER ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS

ABSTRACT

Background:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been the choice of bariatric procedure for patients with symptomatic reflux - and is known to be effective in reducing the need for anti-reflux medication postoperatively. However, a small number of RYGB patients can still develop severe reflux symptoms that require a surgical intervention.

Aim:

To examine and describe the patient population that requires an anti-reflux procedure after RYGB evaluating demographics, characteristics, symptoms and diagnosis

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on 32 patients who underwent a hiatal hernia repair and/or Nissen fundoplication after RYGB Jul 1st, 2014 and Dec 31st, 2019. Patients were identified using the MBSAQIP database and their electronic medical records were reviewed.

Results:

Most patients were female (n=29, 90.6%). The mean age was 52.8 years and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 34.1 kg/m2 at the time of anti-reflux procedure. Patients underwent the anti-reflux procedure at a mean of 7.9 years after the RYGB procedure. The mean percentage of excess BMI loss during the time between RYGB and anti-reflux procedure was 63.4%.

Conclusions:

Female patients with a significant weight loss may develop a severe reflux symptoms years after RYGB. Complaints of reflux after RYGB should not be overlooked. Careful follow-up and appropriate treatment (including surgical intervention) is needed for this population.

HEADINGS:
Obesity; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastric Bypass; Roux-en-Y Anastomosis

RESUMO

Racional:

O bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux (RYGB) tem sido o procedimento bariátrico de escolha para pacientes com refluxo sintomático - e é conhecido por ser eficaz na redução da necessidade de medicação anti-refluxo no pós-operatório. No entanto, um pequeno número de pacientes com RYGB ainda pode desenvolver sintomas de refluxo graves que requerem uma intervenção cirúrgica.

Objetivo:

Examinar e descrever a população de pacientes que requer procedimento anti-refluxo após RYGB avaliando dados demográficos, características, sintomas e diagnóstico.

Métodos:

Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários foi realizada em 32 pacientes submetidos a hérnia hiatal e / ou fundoplicatura Nissen após RYGB em 1º de julho de 2014 a 31 de dezembro de 2019. Os pacientes foram identificados por meio do banco de dados MBSAQIP e seus prontuários eletrônicos foram revisados.

Resultados:

A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino (n = 29 - 90,6%). A média de idade foi de 52,8 anos e o índice de massa corporea (IMC) médio de 34,1 kg / m2 na época do procedimento anti-refluxo. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao procedimento anti-refluxo em média 7,9 anos após o procedimento do BGYR. A porcentagem média de perda do excesso de IMC durante o tempo entre o BGYR e o procedimento anti-refluxo foi de 63,4%.

Conclusões:

Pacientes do sexo feminino com perda de peso significativa podem desenvolver sintomas graves de refluxo anos após o BGYR. Sintomas de refluxo após RYGB não devem ser negligenciadas. Acompanhamento cuidadoso e tratamento adequado (incluindo intervenção cirúrgica) são necessários para essa população.

DESCRITORES:
Obesidade; Refluxo gastroesofágico; Derivação gástrica; Anastomose em Y-Roux

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) became the most commonly performed bariatric procedure according to American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery1111 English WJ, DeMaria EJ, Hutter MM, Kothari SN, Mattar SG, Brethauer SA, et al. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 2018 estimate of metabolic and bariatric procedures performed in the United States. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;16(4):457-463. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2019.12.022.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2019.12....
. Nevertheless, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) still constituted 17% of all bariatric procedures in 20181111 English WJ, DeMaria EJ, Hutter MM, Kothari SN, Mattar SG, Brethauer SA, et al. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 2018 estimate of metabolic and bariatric procedures performed in the United States. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;16(4):457-463. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2019.12.022.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2019.12....
. Up to 70% of preoperative bariatric patients suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and between 5-50% of obese individuals are reported to have hiatal hernia22 Borbely Y, Kroll D, Nett PC, Moreno P, Tutuian R, Lenglinger J. Radiologic, endoscopic, and functional patterns in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(6):764-8. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.02.028.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2018.02....
,44 Braghetto I, Korn O, Burgos A, Figueroa M. When should be converted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass due to gastroesophageal reflux? Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2021;33(4):e1553. doi: 10.1590/0102-672020200004e1553.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-67202020000...
. Obese individuals are more prone to hiatal hernias and esophagitis secondary to unique changes in physiology as it pertains to increased intra-abdominal pressure77 Che F, Nguyen B, Cohen A, Nguyen NT. Prevalence of hiatal hernia in the morbidly obese. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2013;9(6):920-4. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2013.03.013.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2013.03....
. They are more than four times as likely to have hiatal hernias than normal weight patients2626 Wilson LJ, Ma W, Hirschowitz BI. Association of obesity with hiatal hernia and esophagitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;94(10):2840-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241...
. Several studies reviewed preoperative workup for these entities and ways to manage them at the time of initial bypass22 Borbely Y, Kroll D, Nett PC, Moreno P, Tutuian R, Lenglinger J. Radiologic, endoscopic, and functional patterns in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(6):764-8. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.02.028.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2018.02....
,1313 Fornari F, Gurski RR, Navarini D, Thiesen V, Mestriner LH, Madalosso CA. Clinical utility of endoscopy and barium swallow X-ray in the diagnosis of sliding hiatal hernia in morbidly obese patients: a study before and after gastric bypass. Obes Surg. 2010;20(6):702-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-9971-y.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-009-9971-...
,2424 Schneider R, Lazaridis I, Kraljevic M, Beglinger C, Wolnerhanssen B, Peterli R. The impact of preoperative investigations on the management of bariatric patients; results of a cohort of more than 1200 cases. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(5):693-9. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.01.009.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2018.01....
.

The RYGB is a durable operation that has been demonstrated to be both effective for weight loss and reducing the need for anti-reflux medication postoperatively11 Barak N, Ehrenpreis ED, Harrison JR, Sitrin MD. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in obesity: pathophysiological and therapeutic considerations. Obes Rev. 2002;3(1):9-15. doi: 10.1046/j.1467-789x.2002.00049.x.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-789x.2002...
,33 Boules M, Corcelles R, Guerron AD, Dong M, Daigle CR, El-Hayek K, et al. The incidence of hiatal hernia and technical feasibility of repair during bariatric surgery. Surgery. 2015;158(4):911-6; discussion 6-8. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.0...
,2424 Schneider R, Lazaridis I, Kraljevic M, Beglinger C, Wolnerhanssen B, Peterli R. The impact of preoperative investigations on the management of bariatric patients; results of a cohort of more than 1200 cases. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(5):693-9. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.01.009.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2018.01....
. However, a substantial number of patients, up to 22%, who undergo successful RYGB continued to complain of heartburn postoperatively88 Chen RH, Lautz D, Gilbert RJ, Bueno R. Antireflux operation for gastroesophageal reflux after Roux-en-y gastric bypass for obesity. Ann Thorac Surg. 2005;80(5):1938-40. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.06.019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.200...
. Not many studies documented the prevalence of hiatal hernia following bariatric surgery nor the degree to which physiologic reflux develops following RYGB1212 Flanagin BA, Mitchell MT, Thistlethwaite WA, Alverdy JC. Diagnosis and treatment of atypical presentations of hiatal hernia following bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2010;20(3):386-92. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0013-6.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-009-0013-...
. Pallati et al.2323 Pallati PK, Shaligram A, Shostrom VK, Oleynikov D, McBride CL, Goede MR. Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric procedures: review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014;10(3):502-7. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2013.07.018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2013.07....
found that improvement in GERD score was significantly higher in RYGB when compared to sleeve gastrectomy. Nevertheless, RYGB is not free from postoperative reflux. Several case studies report findings of hiatal hernia causing symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to failure to thrive after a RYGB12, 6,16,18. At our center, we observed RYGB patients complaining of severe GERD or dysphagia years after the primary procedure that required a surgical intervention.

This has the objective to review 32 patients who underwent an anti-reflux procedure such as hiatal hernia repair and/or Nissen fundoplication after RYGB evaluating the demographics of patients at the time of anti-reflux procedures after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; characteristics of patients undergoing anti-reflux procedure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; presenting symptoms and diagnosis method for patients undergoing anti-reflux procedure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

METHODS

After Institutional Review Board approval and following Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Guidelines, all patients who underwent hiatal hernia repair and/or Nissen fundoplication after RYGB between July 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2019 were identified using the MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) database. A total of 32 patients were identified. Electronic medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Presenting symptoms for the anti-reflux procedures included reflux, dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most patients were diagnosed using the upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) or both UGI and upper endoscopy. Some patients were diagnosed with hiatal hernia intra-operatively at the index RYGB.

Surgical technique

The procedures were performed at a single center by two experienced bariatric surgeons with over 10,700 procedures. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was completed via robotic-assisted laparoscopy. A 15-30 ml gastric pouch was first created laparoscopically by creating a window between the lesser omentum and stomach along the lesser curvature, with preservation of the nerve of Latarjet. A 34-Fr bougie sized Edlich tube (Covidien, Mansfield, MA) was passed orally into the stomach and used to aid size determination of the pouch. Approximately five 3.5 mm laparoscopic staplers were used to transect the stomach along the lesser curvature up to the esophagogastric angle (His). The staple lines were not oversewn and were buttressed with Surgicel Nu-knit (Johnson and Johnson, Somerville, NJ, USA). The da Vinci assisted robotic system was docked to the three 8 mm trocars. The greater omentum was split using a harmonic scalpel to allow the omentum and transverse colon to retract superiorly. The Roux limb was created by following the jejunum 40 cm distal to the duodenojejunal ligament (Treitz) and transecting the jejunum with a linear stapler. The side-to-side jejunojejunostomy was created approximately at 75 cm for patients with BMI less than 45 kg/m2, at 100 cm for BMI between 45 and 55 kg/m2, and at 150 cm for BMI over 55 kg/m2 distal to the transection point along the efferent limb. A single 2.5 mm laparoscopic stapler was fired, and the enteric defect was then closed using a two-layer 2-0 Polysorb full cm for BMI over thickness running suture followed by a running Lambert suture. An antecolic, antegastric gastrojejunostomy was created by bringing the proximal efferent limb to the gastric pouch and performing a two-layer hand-sewn anastomosis. A running 2-0 Polysorb suture was used to approximate the efferent limb mesentery to the transverse mesocolon, obliterating the Peterson’s defect. An anterior gastrostomy was created in the distal gastric body, and a gastrostomy tube was placed using a 24 F Foley catheter through the left upper quadrant trocar. The anastomoses were then tested under air insufflation and subsequently with methylene blue injection. The da Vinci assisted robotic system was un-docked, and the port sites were closed using standard closure techniques as described in our previous publication2121 Moon RC, Gutierrez JC, Royall NA, Teixeira AF, Jawad MA. Robotic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is it Safer than Laparoscopic Bypass?. Obes Surg. 2016;26(5):1016-1020. doi:10.1007/s11695-015-1884-3. doi: 10.1007/s11695-015-1884-3.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1884-...
.

The hiatal hernia operation is typically divided into three steps. First, dissection and reduction of the hernia sac and stomach into the abdomen, then closure of the crural/hiatal defect, and finally creation of the fundoplication. The fundoplication is done by mobilizing the greater curve of the stomach remnant and pass it behind the esophagus to do the Nissen fundoplication using non absorbable suture. Techniques differ, but these basic steps are common to all hiatal hernia repairs. Veress needle was inserted in midclavicular line on left side and tested with saline drop. Abdomen is insufflated with CO2. An 8 mm trocar was used to insert 5 mm scope. Visualization of abdominal cavity to identify any abnormalities. Left lobe of the liver is retracted anteriorily by attaching allis grasper to the diaphragm. After docking the da Vinci, a vessel sealer, the bipolar, and the cadiere grasper are utilized. Next the gastrohepatic ligament is taken down up to the right crus and continuing dissection of the peritoneum over to the left crus. Then a short gastric vessel is taken down along the greater curvature until it is fully mobilized. Then the hiatal hernia is dissected away from the esophagus starting at the right crus up to the confluence of the right and left crus ensuring not to injure the anterior or posterior vagus nerves. We then create a window posteriorly to the esophagus dissecting the hiatal hernia sac free of the left crus. Hiatus is then closed with a #0 V-Lock suture in a running fashion ensuring to lock the last suture. Then the superior portion of the greater curvature is pulled posteriorly behind the esophagus to the lesser curvature and created the Nissen fundoplication. A 40 F bougie catheter is passed into the stomach and then create the Nissen fundoplication using 2-0 Vicryl suture. Three interrupted stitches are placed to complete the wrap. Then the bougie is removed and the da Vinci robot is undocked. The trocars are removed under directed vision and the abdomen desufflated. The trocar sites are closed with 2-0 Vicryl and dermabond.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics were used for data presentation. All data were demonstrated as frequency or mean and standard deviation unless otherwise noted. Median (lower quartile, upper quartile) were used when the normality assumption was violated. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS University Edition (SAS Institute, Cary, NC).

RESULTS

Patient characteristics included 90.6% female with a mean age of 52.8 years old and a mean BMI of 34.1 kg/m2 at the time of anti-reflux procedures (Table 1). Of these patients, 43.8% had hypertension, 6.3% had diabetes mellitus, 15.6% had sleep apnea, and 28.1% had hyperlipidemia. Most patients underwent hiatal hernia repair (75.0%), while four (12.5%) underwent Nissen fundoplication and another four (12.5%) both procedures. Median length of hospital stay was one day.

Table 1
Demographics of patients at the time of anti-reflux procedures after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

These patients underwent the anti-reflux procedure at a mean of eight years after the RYGB (Table 2). Where available, the mean BMI of these patients at the time of RYGB was 46.5 kg/m2, and the median percentage of excess BMI loss of these patients was 63.3%. Two patients underwent hiatal hernia repair at the time of index RYGB. Three underwent the index RYGB procedure as a conversion - 2 from gastric banding and one from sleeve gastrectomy. For patients undergoing RYGB and anti-reflux procedure at the same time, 12.5% of patients underwent endoscopic dilation of the gastrojejunostomy.

Table 2
Characteristics of patients undergoing anti-reflux procedure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Presenting symptoms for the anti-reflux procedures included reflux (n=29), dysphagia (n=18), nausea and vomiting (n=16), and abdominal pain (n=14, Table 3). Most patients were diagnosed using the upper gastrointestinal series (UGI, n=14) or both UGI and upper endoscopy (n=14). Two patients had their hiatal hernia diagnosed intra-operatively at the index RYGB.

Table 3
Presenting symptoms and diagnosis method for patients undergoing anti-reflux procedure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

At a mean follow up of 18 months (1-69), 26 patients remained symptom free. Four required hiatal hernia re-operations. One developed an anastomotic ulcer.

DISCUSSION

Our study shows that some patients can develop reflux symptoms after RYGB severe enough to require a surgical intervention. Reflux symptoms are generally considered as a common adverse event after LSG procedures; conversion to a RYGB is one of the options provided to patients with severe reflux symptoms after LSG99 Crawford C, Gibbens K, Lomelin D, Krause C, Simorov A, Oleynikov D. Sleeve gastrectomy and anti-reflux procedures. Surg Endosc. 2017;31(3):1012-21. doi: 10.1007/s00464-016-5092-6.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-016-5092-...
. Preoperatively, patients with reflux symptoms are deterred from LSG and recommended to undergo RYGB as well55 Braghetto I, Lanzarini E, Korn O, Valladares H, Molina JC, Henriquez A. Manometric changes of the lower esophageal sphincter after sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients. Obes Surg. 2010;20(3):357-62. doi: 10.1007/s11695-009-0040-3.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-009-0040-...
,1515 Gyawali CP, Fass R. Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroenterology. 2018;154(2):302-18. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.07.049.
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2017.07...
. The mechanism behind this rationale include low-pressure system, fewer acid-producing parietal cells in the smaller pouch, and longer alimentary limb preventing the return of biliopancreatic content2020 Mendes-Filho AM, Godoy ESN, Alhinho H, Galvao-Neto MDP, Ramos AC, Ferraz AAB, et al. Fundoplication Conversion in Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass for Control of Obesity and Gastroesophageal Reflux: Systematic Review. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2017;30(4):279-82. doi: 10.1590/0102-6720201700040012.
https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-67202017000...
. Several large studies in the United States showed that 50-60% of RYGB patients had decreased reflux symptoms within one-year following the procedure1010 DuPree CE, Blair K, Steele SR, Martin MJ. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients with preexisting gastroesophageal reflux disease : a national analysis. JAMA Surg. 2014;149(4):328-34. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2013.4323.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2013.43...
,2323 Pallati PK, Shaligram A, Shostrom VK, Oleynikov D, McBride CL, Goede MR. Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric procedures: review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014;10(3):502-7. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2013.07.018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2013.07....
,2525 Varban OA, Hawasli AA, Carlin AM, Genaw JA, English W, Dimick JB, et al. Variation in utilization of acid-reducing medication at 1 year following bariatric surgery: results from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2015;11(1):222-8. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2014.04.027.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2014.04....
.

Nevertheless, in a recent large population-based cohort study, Holmberg et al.1717 Holmberg D, Santoni G, Xie S, Lagergren J. Gastric bypass surgery in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019;50(2):159-66. doi: 10.1111/apt.15274.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15274...
suggested that the effectiveness of RYGB procedure on reflux symptoms may have been overstated. In their study of 2454 RYGB patients with pre-operative reflux symptoms, the prevalence of reflux requiring anti-reflux medication was approximately 68% during five years after the procedure.

They also pointed out that not many studies have demonstrated the long-term effect of RYGB on resolving reflux symptoms2323 Pallati PK, Shaligram A, Shostrom VK, Oleynikov D, McBride CL, Goede MR. Improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after various bariatric procedures: review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014;10(3):502-7. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2013.07.018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2013.07....
. Of those that did, the sample sizes were small and the assessment of reflux symptoms could have introduced uncertainty of the internal validity1414 Frezza EE, Ikramuddin S, Gourash W, Rakitt T, Kingston A, Luketich J, et al. Symptomatic improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Endosc. 2002;16(7):1027-31. doi: 10.1007/s00464-001-8313-5
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-001-8313-...
,1919 Madalosso CA, Gurski RR, Callegari-Jacques SM, Navarini D, Mazzini G, Pereira Mda S. The Impact of Gastric Bypass on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Morbidly Obese Patients. Ann Surg. 2016;263(1):110-6. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001139.
https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.000000000000...
,2222 Nelson LG, Gonzalez R, Haines K, Gallagher SF, Murr MM. Amelioration of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for clinically significant obesity. Am Surg. 2005;71(11):950-3; discussion 3-4. PMID 16372614..

We think it is important to note the timing of developing and/or resolving reflux symptoms. In a recent review article, Crawford et al.99 Crawford C, Gibbens K, Lomelin D, Krause C, Simorov A, Oleynikov D. Sleeve gastrectomy and anti-reflux procedures. Surg Endosc. 2017;31(3):1012-21. doi: 10.1007/s00464-016-5092-6.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-016-5092-...
indicated that most reflux symptoms after LSG were observed within one-year after surgery. Considering that approximately 50% of patients had resolution of reflux symptoms within one-year after RYGB1717 Holmberg D, Santoni G, Xie S, Lagergren J. Gastric bypass surgery in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019;50(2):159-66. doi: 10.1111/apt.15274.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15274...
, practicing surgeons may have the impression that RYGB is much superior than LSG in terms of resolving reflux symptoms. However, at our practice, we have observed many patients complaining of reflux symptoms years after RYGB. In fact, average time from RYGB to an anti-reflux procedure was eight years in this study - highlighting the necessity of long-term follow-up on reflux symptoms after RYGB.

Holmberg et al.1717 Holmberg D, Santoni G, Xie S, Lagergren J. Gastric bypass surgery in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019;50(2):159-66. doi: 10.1111/apt.15274.
https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15274...
identified that the use of a higher dose of anti-reflux medication prior to the RYGB procedure was the strongest indicator of persistent reflux symptoms after the procedure. Based on this report and our study, we believe RYGB should not be considered as a ‘cure’ for reflux symptoms in the bariatric population - and caution should be taken in absentmindedly proceeding with the procedure among patients taking high dose of anti-reflux medication preoperatively.

It is also important to note that only 6.3% (n=2) of these patients underwent hiatal hernia repair at the time of RYGB. This may indicate that surgeons should be more judicious in seeking out and aggressively treating hiatal hernias at the time of RYGB. As the aforementioned research has indicated, obese individuals are more likely to develop hiatal hernias even before undergoing bypass77 Che F, Nguyen B, Cohen A, Nguyen NT. Prevalence of hiatal hernia in the morbidly obese. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2013;9(6):920-4. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2013.03.013.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2013.03....
. Although hiatal hernia repair at the time of RYGB may be more technically challenging - obesity impairs reduction of the hiatal hernia sac, pillar identification and dissection, and tension-free closure of the hiatus33 Boules M, Corcelles R, Guerron AD, Dong M, Daigle CR, El-Hayek K, et al. The incidence of hiatal hernia and technical feasibility of repair during bariatric surgery. Surgery. 2015;158(4):911-6; discussion 6-8. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.036.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.0...
- patients may enjoy a better quality of life and avoid further surgical intervention for anti-reflux procedures.

This study demonstrates that patients experiencing severe reflux symptoms years after RYGB procedure can be safely and effectively treated with an anti-reflux procedure. Most of our patients (81%) were free of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 18 months.

There are limitations in this research. First, this was a retrospective study with a small number of patients. We were not able to identify the true incidence of reflux symptoms in the RYGB population since the percentage of long-term follow-up was low and patients could have sought care from a different provider. Second, we only identified the timing of anti-reflux procedure when the symptoms could have started months and years prior. Only those who had symptoms severe enough to undergo an invasive intervention were captured in this study. Regardless, this study is one of few studies demonstrating the need for anti-reflux procedures after RYGB. We believe this adds an important viewpoint to practicing surgeons when they encounter patients with severe reflux symptoms before and after RYGB. A larger prospective, randomized study with longer follow-up is needed to assess the effectiveness of RYGB on reflux symptom.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients may develop severe reflux symptoms after RYGB. These patients may be safely and effectively treated with anti-reflux procedures. RYGB should not be considered the cure-all for reflux symptoms in the bariatric population. Further, prospective study of the true incidence of reflux and objective measures of symptoms early on may allow for better symptom management. Female patients with a significant weight loss may develop a severe reflux symptoms years after RYGB. Complaints of reflux after RYGB should not be overlooked. Careful follow-up and appropriate treatment (including surgical intervention) is needed for this population.

REFERENCES

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    Barak N, Ehrenpreis ED, Harrison JR, Sitrin MD. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in obesity: pathophysiological and therapeutic considerations. Obes Rev. 2002;3(1):9-15. doi: 10.1046/j.1467-789x.2002.00049.x.
    » https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-789x.2002.00049.x
  • 2
    Borbely Y, Kroll D, Nett PC, Moreno P, Tutuian R, Lenglinger J. Radiologic, endoscopic, and functional patterns in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(6):764-8. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.02.028.
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2018.02.028
  • 3
    Boules M, Corcelles R, Guerron AD, Dong M, Daigle CR, El-Hayek K, et al. The incidence of hiatal hernia and technical feasibility of repair during bariatric surgery. Surgery. 2015;158(4):911-6; discussion 6-8. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.036.
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2015.06.036
  • 4
    Braghetto I, Korn O, Burgos A, Figueroa M. When should be converted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass due to gastroesophageal reflux? Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2021;33(4):e1553. doi: 10.1590/0102-672020200004e1553.
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-672020200004e1553
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  • Fundings:

    None
  • Central Message

    Patients may develop severe reflux symptoms after RYGB. These patients may be safely and effectively treated with anti-reflux procedures
  • Perspective

    There are many studies discussing the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias after sleeve gastrectomy, but limited literature exists for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The incidence of Hiatal Hernia after RYGB seems to be higher than expected. The aim of this study is to discuss the incidence of Hiatal Hernia repair after RYGB, along with their presentation and possible etiology.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    05 Jan 2022
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    16 Apr 2021
  • Accepted
    20 Aug 2021
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