Gastroesophageal reflux–related physiologic changes after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a prospective comparative study

Background The development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a major concern as it affects the quality of life of the patients and potentially exposes them to the complications of GERD. The reported incidence of GERD after LSG is up to 35%. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is considered the procedure of choice for patients with morbid obesity with GERD but objective evidence based on physiologic studies for the same are limited. Objective The objectives of the study were to determine the physiologic changes related to gastroesophageal reflux based on symptoms index, 24-hour pH study, impedance, and manometry after LSG and LRYGB. Settings Tertiary care teaching hospital, India. Methods This registered study (CTRI/2017/06/008834) is a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label clinical trial comparing the incidence of GERD after LSG and LRYGB. In this study, non-GERD patients were evaluated for GERD based on clinical questionnaires, 24-hour pH study, and impedance manometry preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Results Thirty patients underwent LSG, and 16 patients underwent LRYGB. The mean DeMeester score increased from 10.9 ± 11.8 to 40.2 ± 38.6 (P = .006) after LSG. The incidence of GERD after LSG was 66.6%. The increase in DeMeester score from 9.5 ± 4.6 to 12.2 ± 17.2 after LRYGB was not significant (P = .7). There was a significant increase in the nonacid reflux both after LSG and LRYGB. Conclusion The incidence of GERD after LSG is high, making it a contraindication for LSG. LRYGB remains the preferred procedure for patients with GERD. However, more studies are needed to understand the physiologic changes in patients with preexisting GERD.