Preoperative endoscopy may reduce the need for revisional surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

The Saudi Gastroenterology Association consensus on the clinical care pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of GERD

ABSTRACT

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common problems encountered in outpatient general medicine and gastroenterology clinics. GERD may present with classic esophageal symptoms, extraesophageal symptoms, or mixed symptoms. The diagnosis and treatment of GERD are challenging due to the variety of symptoms and multifactorial pathophysiology. Since there is no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of GERD in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Gastroenterology Association established an expert group to formulate a consensus on the clinical care pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of GERD to update health-care providers in Saudi Arabia. The expert group reviewed the literature including recently published international guidelines, clinical trials, and expert opinion and conducted virtual and in-person meetings. A total of 22 statements on the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of GERD were formulated, and three algorithms for the clinical care of GERD were developed with a detailed description for each step. The expert group endorsed the new definition of GERD, the practical principles of interpretation of the diagnostic GERD evaluation, and the practical guidance for GERD treatment including medical, surgical, and endoscopic therapy. The expert group recommends further studies to investigate local data on the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obesity: Bariatric Surgery as Both the Cause and the Cure in the Morbidly Obese Population

Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, highly prevalent condition in the United States. GERD can significantly impact quality of life and lead to complications including aspiration pneumonia, esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal cancer. Obesity is a risk factor for GERD, which often improves with weight loss and bariatric surgery. Though the incidence of bariatric surgery, in particular, minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy, has risen in recent years, emerging data has revealed that the severity or new onset of GERD may follow bariatric surgery. We performed a literature review to provide a detailed analysis of GERD with an emphasis on bariatric surgery as both the cure and the cause for GERD in the morbidly obese population. We also describe the pathophysiological mechanisms, management approach and treatment strategies of GERD following bariatric surgery.

The utility of endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery: an 11-year retrospective analysis of 885 patients

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (p-EGD) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Many medical problems that are common in patients with obesity, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias, have important implications for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. While p-EGD is considered standard of care prior to antireflux surgery, the role of p-EGD in bariatric surgery patients remains controversial.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

We performed a retrospective chart review of 885 patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery at a university hospital-based bariatric surgery program between March 2011 and February 2022. Clinical history, demographics, and preoperative EGD reports were reviewed for abnormal findings.

RESULTS

Of the 885 patients evaluated in this study, one or more abnormal EGD findings were observed in 83.2% of patients. More than half of our patients (54.7%) presented with history of heartburn, reflux, or GERD. EGD findings demonstrated a hernia in 43.1% of patients [(Type I: 40.6%; Type II: 0.5%; Type III: 2.1%)]. 68.0% of patients were biopsied. Among patients who were biopsied, other findings included gastritis (32.4%), esophagitis (8.0%), eosinophilic esophagitis (4.7%), or duodenitis (2.7%). We found ulcers in 6.7% of patients. Pathology was consistent with H. pylori in 9.8% of biopsies taken and consistent with BE in 2.7%. Following routine p-EGD, 11.2% of patients were placed on PPI and 8.3% were recommended to stop NSAIDs.

CONCLUSION

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated pathology are common in the bariatric population. Preoperative EGD in patients undergoing bariatric surgery frequently identifies clinically significant UGI pathology. This may have important implications for medical and surgical management. Given the rate of abnormal preoperative endoscopic findings in obese patients, the work-up for bariatric surgery should align with the current recommendations for foregut surgery.

Impact of Gastropexy/Omentopexy on Gastrointestinal Symptoms after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a single-step operation for the management of severe obesity. A statistically significant number of participants who undergo this procedure experience nausea, vomiting, and reflux symptoms early after the operation. The objectives of this study were to measure the positive or negative effect of gastropexy on reducing distressing postoperative LSG-related gastrointestinal symptoms.

Patients and Methods

This was a comparative randomized study conducted from January 2018 to January 2021. The study was carried out in the general surgery department at Menoufia University Hospital, Menoufia Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. Two hundred participants were included randomly during this trial. The participants were divided into two groups, with 100 patients in each group. Patients in group A underwent gastropexy, and patients in group B underwent LSG without gastropexy.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups in age or sex (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding nausea, vomiting, reflux symptoms, and the amount and frequency of antiemetics used (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in hospital readmissions (p < 0.05) and in clinic visits during the postoperative period.

Conclusions

Patients who underwent gastropexy showed a significant reduction in antiemetic consumption and a significantly lower incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and gastric torsion than those who did not undergo gastropexy.

Graphical abstract

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery and Endoscopic Procedures on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Obesity is a global epidemic posing a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with obesity and its prevalence is also growing worldwide. Numerous bariatric surgeries and endoscopic procedures have arisen to assist with weight loss and management of obesity-related conditions. However, the effect of these interventions on reflux is variable and the evidence is often conflicting. To date, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remains the gold-standard for attaining both reflux and weight loss management, however novel endoscopic techniques are quickly becoming more prevalent as an alternative to surgery. This review aims to summarize currently available endoscopic and surgical weight loss procedures and their impact on reflux symptoms while emphasizing areas requiring additional investigation.

Hiatal Hernia Evaluation Before Bariatric Surgery: Should It Be Routinely Done?

PURPOSE

The necessity of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) in the evaluation of hiatal hernia (HH) among bariatric surgery candidates is controversial since most are detected during surgery, regardless of the preoperative work-up. The aim is to determine the accuracy of preoperative EGD and UGIS for HH diagnosis among bariatric surgery candidates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The records of bariatric surgery patients between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients underwent routine UGIS and/or EGD before the surgery. The positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) for each study were calculated based on operative findings.

RESULTS

A total of 463 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 44.34 ± 12.99 years. Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 42.7 ± 5.15 kg/m². A total of 450 patients (97.2%) had a UGIS, 263 patients underwent EGD (56.8%), and 258 (55.7%) patients had both tests. HH was diagnosed in 26 (5.8%), 60 (13%), and 72 (27.8%) patients, respectively. HH was found intra-operatively in 53 patients (11.4%). It was associated with heartburn (P = 0.005) and previous bariatric surgery (P = 0.008). EGD had a greater sensitivity than UGIS (47.4% vs. 30.2%) and a lower specificity (81.4% vs. 97.5%). PPV and NPV for UGIS and EGD were 61.5% and 91.3% vs. 30% and 90.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of both tests when combined together reached 60.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both EGD and UGIS, whether solely performed or combined, have low sensitivity for diagnosis of HH and can probably be omitted from the preoperative evaluation, except for high-risk patients.

Preoperative Endoscopic and Radiologic Evaluation of Bariatric Patients: What Do They Add?

BACKGROUND

Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and barium swallow (BS) are commonly performed for evaluation in bariatric surgery patients. The routine use of these modalities has been controversial.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed to include primary bariatric surgery patients between March 2013 and August 2016.

RESULTS

Two hundred nine patients were included. All the patients underwent preoperative EGD and BS. The mean age was 43.12 years and BMI 46.4 kg/m². Reflux symptoms were present in 58.5% of patients. Preoperative EGD revealed abnormalities in 87.5% of patients: esophagitis (54.5%), Barrett's esophagus (5.3%), dysplasia (1%), and gastritis (51%). Endoscopic evidence of HH was documented in 52.2% of patients while only 34% of patients had evidence of HH in their BS. Of the asymptomatic patients, 80.2% had abnormal EGD. Helicobacter pylori on biopsy was found in 17.2% patients, out of which 47.2% were asymptomatic. Based on EGD findings, the choice of surgical procedure was changed in 3.34% of patients. Repair of HH was performed in 107 patients, with 68.2% (n = 73) symptomatic patients and 31.8% (n = 34) asymptomatic patients. On ROC analysis, EGD was better predictive of the presence of HH (AUC = 0.802, OR 5.20, p  =   < 0.0001) and symptoms were a poor indicator for GERD.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative EGD is abnormal in the majority of patients regardless of their symptoms. EGD is the only modality that can provide tissue sample, which can potentially determine the type of bariatric surgery. Given the low diagnostic accuracy of BS, its routine use can be eliminated.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux and risk factors for erosive esophagitis in obese patients considered for bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in obese individuals. Prospective studies investigating validated GERD questionnaires and clinical parameters at identifying erosive esophagitis (EE) in this population are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate the prevalence of GERD in obese patients considered for bariatric surgery and identify risk and predictive factors for EE.

METHODS

Eligible patients completed two validated questionnaires: GERDQ and Nocturnal Symptom Severity Impact (N-GSSIQ) before routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

RESULTS

242 consecutive patients were enrolled (130 females; mean age 37.8 ± 11.8 years; mean BMI 40.4 ± 5.3 kg/m²). The overall prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GERDQ ≥ 8, EE and/or PPI use) was 62.4%. EE was identified in 82 patients (33.9%) including 13/62 (21.0%) receiving PPIs at baseline. Multivariate logistic regression identified GERDQ ≥ 8 (OR = 6.3, 95%CI 3.0-13.1), hiatal hernia (OR = 4.2, 95%CI 1.6-10.7), abnormal Hill grade (OR = 2.7, 95%CI 1.4-5.4), and tobacco use (OR = 2.5, 95%CI 1.2-4.9) as independent risk factors for EE. A pre-endoscopic composite assessment including GERDQ ≥ 8 and presence of severe nocturnal reflux symptoms had 90% specificity and 20.7% sensitivity in identifying EE (NPV 68.9% and PPV 51.5%).

CONCLUSION

GERD is highly prevalent in obese patients. Anthropometric data and GERD questionnaires have limited accuracy at predicting erosive disease. Pre-operative endoscopic assessment in this population appears warranted.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: The burning questions

Obesity is a global health epidemic with considerable economic burden. Surgical solutions have become increasingly popular following technical advances leading to sustained efficacy and reduced risk. Sleeve gastrectomy accounts for almost half of all bariatric surgeries worldwide but concerns regarding its relationship with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been a topic of debate. GERD, including erosive esophagitis, is highly prevalent in the obese population. The role of pre-operative endoscopy in bariatric surgery has been controversial. Two schools of thought exist on the matter, one that believes routine upper endoscopy before bariatric surgery is not warranted in the absence of symptoms and another that believes that symptoms are poor predictors of underlying esophageal pathology. This debate is particularly important considering the evidence for the association of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) with de novo and/or worsening GERD compared to the less popular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. In this paper, we try to address 3 burning questions regarding the inter-relationship of obesity, GERD, and LSG: (1) What is the prevalence of GERD and erosive esophagitis in obese patients considered for bariatric surgery? (2) Is it necessary to perform an upper endoscopy in obese patients considered for bariatric surgery? And (3) What are the long-term effects of sleeve gastrectomy on GERD and should LSG be done in patients with pre-existing GERD?

Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients without reflux symptoms undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: utility or futility?

Aim

To evaluate the value of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as a preoperative investigation in individuals without symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) who will undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Materials and methods

After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, patients scheduled for LSG were prospectively enrolled in the study between January 2016 and March 2018. Patients with symptoms of GERD were excluded from the study. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: individuals who underwent EGD before the surgery as a usual routine investigation (Group A), and individuals who were scheduled without preoperative EGD (Group B). Patient demographics, endoscopic findings, endoscopic biopsy results, and histopathological findings of the resected parts of the stomach after LSG were analyzed and recorded. Additionally, operative characteristics and outcomes, and follow up findings were recorded and analyzed with appropriate statistical methods.

Results

A total of 219 individuals without symptoms of GERD underwent LSG were enrolled. Group A included 111 individuals (25 males and 86 females). Group B comprised 108 individuals (20 males and 88 females). The mean age and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) were similar in both groups. From Group A, 86 out of 111 individuals (77.5%) had no pathology identified on EGD, while 21 individuals (18.9%) were found to have areas of gastric erythema and biopsies showed active gastritis. All LSG operations were performed without any major complication. After one year, all individuals were assessed for the presence of symptomatic GERD and no significant difference was found between the two groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative EGD may not be mandatory for asymptomatic GERD individuals undergoing LSG as post-operative complications and early follow up for GERD symptoms are not significantly different. Further prospective studies with longer follow up are needed to evaluate the role of EGD in individuals undergoing LSG.