Can lower preoperative 48-hour pH score predict reflux resolution after sleeve gastrectomy

Use of Preoperative Endoscopic Capsule-Based pH Testing Before Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the most performed bariatric operation in the US; however, a significant number of patients suffer from persistent or new-onset reflux. No consensus for objective preoperative evaluation in these patients exists. We compared capsule-based pH testing vs GERD symptom scoring to determine extent of preoperative GERD to aid in procedure selection for bariatric surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

An IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive patients at a single institution was performed from April 2021 to December 2022. During initial consultation for bariatric surgery, a validated GERD symptom subjective survey was administered. All patients demonstrating interest in sleeve gastrectomy or had a history of reflux underwent upper endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients underwent preoperative endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing and completed GERD symptom assessment survey(s). Median BMI was 43.4 kg/m 2 and 66.1% of patients were not taking a proton-pump inhibitor before performance of pH testing. There was negligible linear association between the objective DeMeester score obtained by capsule-based pH probe and GERD symptom survey scores. Median GERD symptom survey scores did not differ between patients with and without a diagnosis of GERD based on pH testing (all p values >0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

An objective method for identifying severe GERD in the preoperative assessment may aid in the decision tree for procedure selection and informed consent process. Patients with significant preoperative GERD may be at higher risk for future GERD-related sleeve complications. Capsule-based pH testing may prove to be superior to subjective symptom scoring systems in this patient population.

Gastroesophageal reflux after sleeve gastrectomy: The dimension of the problem

Sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective bariatric surgery in terms of weight loss and longterm improvement or resolution of comorbidities. However, its achilles heel is the possible association with the development with the novo and/or worsening of pre-existing gastroesophageal reflux disease. The anatomical and mechanical changes that this technique induces in the esophagogastric junction, support or contradict this hypothesis. Questions such as «what is the natural history of gastroesophageal reflux in the patient undergoing gastric sleeve surgery?», «how many patients after vertical gastrectomy will develop gastroesophageal reflux?» and «how many patients will worsen their previous reflux after this technique?» are intended to be addressed in the present article.

Sleeve gastrectomy morphology and long-term weight-loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease outcomes

BACKGROUND

The relationship between sleeve gastrectomy (SG) morphology and long-term weight-loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

All patients (n = 268) undergoing SG performed by 3 surgeons at a single academic institution from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 were included. Long-term weight-loss and GERD outcomes were available for 90 patients which were incorporated in analyses. SG morphology was determined from postoperative day 1 upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) available from 50 patients. Images were independently categorized using previously published methodology as Dumbbell (38%), Lower Pouch (22%), Tubular (26%), or Upper Pouch (14%) by Radiologist and Surgeon. Radiologist categorization was used when disagreement occurred (8%). Univariable analyses were conducted to explore potential associations between SG morphology, weight loss, and GERD outcomes.

RESULTS

Follow-up was 8.2 ± 0.9 years. Population characteristics included age of 45.1 ± 10.8 years, female sex in 83.3%, and hiatal hernia repair (HHR) performed at index SG in 17.8%. Surgeons did not preferentially achieve a specific SG morphology. Changes from preoperative obesity and associated diseases comprised body mass index (BMI) (49.5 ± 7.6 vs. 39.2 ± 9.4 kg/m²; p < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus (30.0 vs. 12.2%; p = 0.0006), hypertension (70.0 vs. 54.4%; p = 0.0028), hyperlipidemia (42.2 vs. 24.2%;p = 0.0017), obstructive sleep apnea (41.1 vs. 15.6%; p < 0.0001), osteoarthritis (48.9 vs. 13.3%; p < 0.0001), back pain (46.5 vs. 28.9%; p = 0.0035), and medications (4.8 ± 3.3 vs. 3.7 ± 3.5; p < 0.0001). Dumbbell SG morphology was associated with lesser reduction in BMI at follow-up (--6.8 ± 7.2 vs. -12.4 ± 8.3 kg/m²; p = 0.0196) while greater BMI change was appreciated with Lower Pouch SG shape (-16.9 ± 9.9 vs. -8.4 ± 6.8 kg/m²; p = 0.0017). GERD was more prevalent at follow-up than baseline (67.8 vs. 47.8%; p < 0.0001). GERD-specific outcomes included de novo (51.1%), persistent (27.9%), worsened (58.1%), and resolved (14.0%) disease. Ten patients underwent reoperation for refractory GERD with SG morphology corresponding to Dumbbell (n = 5) and Upper Pouch (n = 1) for those with available UGIS. Univariable analyses showed that patients with GERD experienced a larger reduction in BMI compared with patients without GERD (-11.8 ± 7.7 vs. -7.0 ± 5.1 kg/m²; p = 0.0007). Patient age, surgeon, morphology category, and whether a HHR was done at index SG were not associated with the presence of any, de novo, or worsened GERD. Female sex was associated with worsened GERD (96.0 vs. 4.0%; p = 0.0455). Type of calibration device, distance from staple line to pylorus, and whether staple line reinforcement was used were not associated with SG morphology classification.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study assessing the impact of SG morphology on long-term weight loss and GERD. Our data suggest an association between SG morphology and long-term weight loss but not with GERD outcomes. Current technical standards may be limited in reproducing the same SG morphology. This information may help guide the technical optimization and standardization of SG. Surgeons did not favor a specific SG morphology (1). Our results signal to a relationship between radiographic assessment of SG morphology and long-term weight-loss outcomes with Dumbbell classification correlated with lesser reduction in BMI (2a) and Lower Pouch morphology associated with superior weight loss (2b). SG, sleeve gastrectomy; BMI, body mass index.

Independent association of preoperative Hill grade with gastroesophageal reflux disease 2 years after sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

The sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Higher endoscopic Hill grade has been linked to GERD in patients without metabolic surgery. How preoperative Hill grade relates to GERD after SG is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between preoperative Hill grade and GERD outcomes 2 years after SG.

SETTING

Academic hospital, United States.

METHODS

All patients (n = 882) undergoing SG performed by 5 surgeons at a single academic institution from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. Complete data sets were available for 360 patients, which were incorporated in analyses. GERD was defined as the presence of a diagnosis in the medical record accompanied by pharmacotherapy. Patients with GERD postoperatively (n = 193) were compared with those without (n = 167). Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to explore independent associations between preoperative factors and GERD outcomes.

RESULTS

The presence of any GERD increased at the postoperative follow-up of 25.2 (3.9) months compared with preoperative values (53.6% versus 41.1%; P = .0001). Secondary GERD outcomes at follow-up included de novo (41.0%), persistent (33.1%), resolved (28.4%), worsened (26.4%), and improved (12.2%) disease. Postoperative endoscopy and reoperation for GERD occurred in 26.4% and 6.7% of the sample. Patients with GERD postoperatively showed higher prevalence of Hill grade III-IV (32.6% versus 19.8%; P = .0062) and any hiatal hernia (HH) (36.3% versus 25.1%; P = .0222) compared with patients without postoperative GERD. Frequencies of gastritis, esophagitis A or B, duodenitis, and peptic ulcer disease were similar between groups. Higher prevalence of preoperative GERD (54.9% versus 25.1%; P < .0001), obstructive sleep apnea (66.8% versus 54.5%; P = .0171), and anxiety (25.4% versus 15.6%; P = .0226) was observed in patients with postoperative GERD compared with those without it. Baseline demographics, weight, other obesity-associated diseases, whether an HH was repaired at index SG, and follow-up length were statistically similar between groups. After adjusting for collinearity, preoperative GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-5.7; P < .0001) and Hill grade III-IV (OR [95% CI]: 1.9 [1.1-3.1]; P = .0174) were independently associated with the presence of any GERD postoperatively. The preoperative presence of an HH >2 cm and whether an HH was repaired at index SG showed no independent association with GERD at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 50% of patients experienced GERD 2 years after SG. Preoperative GERD confers the highest risk for GERD postoperatively. Hill grade III-IV is independently associated with GERD after SG. Whether a hiatal hernia repair was performed did not influence GERD outcomes. Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy should be obtained before SG and Hill grade routinely captured and used to counsel patients about the risk of postoperative GERD after this procedure. Hill grade may help guide the choice of metabolic operation.