Predictive Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Bariatric Surgery: a Controlled Trial Comparing Sleeve Gastrectomy with Gastric Bypass

Objective To evaluate the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with obesity. Methods Patients with class II or III obesity were treated with LSG or LRYGB. Procedure choice was based on patients and surgeon preferences. GERD symptoms, endoscopy, barium swallow X-ray, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring were obtained before and 1 year after surgery. Results Seventy-five patients underwent surgery (83% female, 39.3 ± 12.1 years, BMI of 41.5 ± 5.1 kg/m 2 ): 35 (46.7%) had LSG and 40 (53.3%) LRYGB. LSG patients had lower BMI (40.3 ± 4.0 kg/m 2 vs. 42.7 ± 5.7 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.041) and trend toward lower prevalence of GERD (20% vs. 40%; p = 0.061). One year after surgeries, GERD was more frequent in LSG patients (74% vs. 25%; p < 0.001) and all LSG patients with preoperative GERD continue to have GERD postoperatively. De novo GERD occurred in 19 of 28 (67.9%) of LSG patients and 4 of 24 (16.7%) patients treated with LRYGB (OR 10.6, 95%CI 2.78–40.1). Independent predictors for post-operative GERD were as follows: LSG (OR 12.3, 95%CI 2.9–52.5), preoperative esophagitis (OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.6–44.8), and age (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.1–3.4). Conclusions One year after surgery, persistent or de novo GERD were substantially more frequent in patients treated with LSG compared with LRYGB. LSG was the strongest predictor for GERD in our trial. Preoperative counseling and choice of bariatric surgical options must include a detailed assessment and discussion of GERD-related surgical outcomes.