Antireflux mucosectomy for managing reflux symptoms in an obese patient post laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease after Sleeve Gastrectomy: Effectiveness of Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Therapies

Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most frequently performed bariatric operation in the United States. One of the main disadvantages of this procedure is the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after the operation. We aimed to analyze different approaches for the treatment of GERD after SG. Methods: A literature review was performed to identify all possible treatment options for post-SG GERD. All the studies were assessed for full eligibility by manual assessment of their aims, methodology, results, and conclusions. Records were individually reviewed by the authors comparing outcomes and complications between procedures. Results: Although some studies have shown improvement or even resolution of GERD symptoms after SG, most patients develop or worsen symptoms. Lifestyle modifications along with medical therapy should be started on patients with GERD after SG. For those who are refractory to medication, endoscopic and surgical therapies can be offered. Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is consistently effective in treatment of GERD and is the ideal therapy in patients with associated insufficient weight loss. Endoscopic and alternative surgical procedures are also available and have shown acceptable short-term outcomes. Conclusions: Several treatment options exist for the treatment of GERD after SG. Although conversion to RYGB remains the most effective therapy, other emerging endoscopic and surgical procedures could avoid the potential morbidity of this procedure and should be further evaluated. An evidence-based algorithm for the management of GERD after SG is proposed to guide decision making.

Endoscopic Treatment of Reflux: A Comprehensive Review

The last decade has seen the rise of multiple novel endoscopic techniques to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, many of which are efficacious when compared with traditional surgical options and allow relief from long-term dependence on antacid medications. This review will explore the latest endoscopic treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease including a description of the technique, review of efficacy and safety, and future directions.

Gastroesophageal Reflux After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy continues to be the most commonly performed bariatric operation worldwide. Development or worsening of pre-existing GERD has been recognized as a significant issue postoperatively. There is a paucity of information concerning the most appropriate preoperative workup and the technical and anatomical factors that may or may not contribute to the occurrence of reflux symptoms. Contemporary data quality is deficient given the predominantly retrospective nature, limited follow-up time, and heterogeneous outcome measures across studies. This has produced mixed results regarding the postoperative incidence and severity of GERD. Ultimately, better-constructed investigations are needed in order to offer evidence-based recommendations that may guide preoperative workup and improved patient selection criteria.

Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) results in improved recovery and similar reflux quality of life outcomes compared to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

BACKGROUND

Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is a new endoscopic procedure involving a hemi-circumferential endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) around the gastroesophageal junction. We aim to compare perioperative and quality of life outcomes of patients with reflux who underwent ARMS to a comparable group who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (NF).

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained quality database was performed. All patients who underwent ARMS (n = 33) were matched with patients who underwent NF (n = 67). Clinical and quality of life (QOL) outcomes were collected preoperatively and up to two years postoperatively, measured by the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL), and Dysphagia Score. Outcomes were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

While 10 patients (30.3%) who underwent ARMS required additional laparoscopic anti-reflux operations, the ARMS group had shorter OR time (p<0.001), less estimated blood loss (p<0.001), shorter hospital stay (p<0.001), less pain at discharge (p = 0.007), earlier narcotic discontinuation (p<0.001), and earlier return to activities of daily living (p<0.001) compared to the NF group. There was no difference in 30-day complication rates, emergency room visits, or readmission rates between the groups. There was no difference between ARMS and NF groups in terms of GERD-HRQL, RSI, or Dysphagia scores at 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years postoperatively. However, the ARMS group reported less symptoms of gas and bloating postoperatively at all time points (all p<0.05). Both groups reported increased dysphagia at 3 weeks postoperatively (p<0.01) but this did not persist at 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years.

CONCLUSION

While ARMS had better perioperative outcomes compared to NF, reflux quality of life outcomes were comparable. ARMS can be an effective endoscopic intervention for GERD when performed on appropriately selected patients without limiting future laparoscopic anti-reflux interventions.

Feasibility and outcomes of anti-reflux mucosectomy for proton pump inhibitor dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease: First Indian study (with video)

BACKGROUND

Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is a newfangled minimally invasive technique, with successful outcomes for the management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We present our initial experience (success rate) and safety profile for this procedure.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with daily dependence on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GER were prospectively enrolled from September 2016 to August 2019 and underwent ARMS using a cap assisted endoscopic mucosal resection. Severity was assessed by gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire. Gastroscopy and 24-h pH-metry was done pre and post procedure. Patient characteristics, PPI requirement, adverse events and follow-up were documented.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients [44 (71%) male] underwent successful ARMS with a mean age (SD) of 36 (9.9) years. Technical success was achieved in 100 % of patients. Intraoperative bleeding was noted in 62 (100%) patients, endoscopic hemostasis was successfully achieved. At follow-up dysphagia was seen in 5 (8%) patients which needed a single session of endoscopic dilation. At 2 months, mean (SD) DeMeester score normalized in 45 (72.5%) patients from 76.8 (18.3) to 14.3 (6.1) (P < 0.001). PPI could be stopped in 43 (69.4%) patients. The mean (SD) GERD-Q score reduced from 10.6 (1.9) to 3.4 (1.5) (P < 0.001). However, in 12 (19.3%) patients low dose of PPIs was continued, while 7 (11.3%) patients continued full dose. Thirty-eight (61.3%) patients telephonically reported symptomatic improvement and were off PPIs at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-reflux mucosectomy is safe and effective for treatment of GER. The long term outcomes are favorable, response is durable and promising at our center. Appropriate patient selection still remains primal to the overall success of ARMS.