A Step in the Right Direction: Trends over Time in Bariatric Procedures for Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Revisional Bariatric Surgery: From Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most performed bariatric surgery worldwide. However, this surgery may be associated with long-term weight regain and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sometimes necessitating conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) to improve quality of life (QoL). We conducted a systematic review on QoL measures following the conversion of SG to RYGB. We searched various databases for studies conducted between January 2005 and September 2023. Four studies, involving 196 participants in total, met the inclusion criteria. Different assessment methods were used to evaluate QoL following the conversion. In the included studies, we observed that GERD symptoms and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use both decreased following conversion to RYGB. Excess weight loss (EWL) was also observed in all studies.

Reflux Symptoms Increase Following Sleeve Gastrectomy Despite Triage of Symptomatic Patients to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Bariatric surgical options in obese patients include sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), which may not be equivalent in risk of postoperative reflux symptoms. We evaluated risk and predictive factors for postbariatric surgery reflux symptoms.

METHODS

Patients with obesity evaluated for bariatric surgery over a 15-month period were prospectively followed with validated symptom questionnaires (GERDQ, dominant symptom index: product of symptom frequency and intensity from 5-point Likert scores) administered before and after SG and RYGB. Esophageal testing included high-resolution manometry in all patients, and ambulatory reflux monitoring off therapy in those with abnormal GERDQ or prior reflux history. Univariate comparisons and multivariable analysis were performed to determine if preoperative factors predicted postoperative reflux symptoms.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients (median age 49.0 years, 84% female, median BMI 46.5 kg/m 2 ) fulfilled inclusion criteria and underwent follow-up assessment 4.4 years after bariatric surgery. Baseline GERDQ and dominant symptom index for heartburn were significantly higher in RYGB patients ( P ≤0.04). Despite this, median GERDQ increased by 2 (0.0 to 4.8) following SG and decreased by 0.5 (-1.0 to 5.0) following RYGB ( P =0.02). GERDQ became abnormal in 43.8% after SG and 18.8% after RYGB ( P =0.058); abnormal GERDQ improved in 12.5% and 37.5%, respectively ( P =0.041). In a model that included age, gender, BMI, acid exposure time, and type of surgery, multivariable analysis identified SG as an independent predictor of postoperative heartburn (odds ratio 16.61, P =0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite preferential RYGB when preoperative GERD was identified, SG independently predicted worsening heartburn symptoms after bariatric surgery.

The Impact of Bariatric Procedures on Esophageal Motility

Bariatric operations may cause or cure gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The comprehension of esophageal motility following different types of bariatric procedures may help understand the relationship between GERD and bariatric surgery. This review focused on the impact of bariatric procedures on esophageal motility. We found that lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure is increased after adjustable gastric banding; is unaltered or decreased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; and is decreased after sleeve gastrectomy. Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation may be abnormal after all these procedures. Esophageal body contractility is worsened after sleeve gastrectomy.