Efficiency of Cruroplasty as a Treatment of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease in Morbid Obese Patients with Hiatus Hernia during SleeveGastrectomy

Background The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. Although concomitant hiatal hernia repair (HHR) at the time of LSG is common and advocated by many, there are few data on the outcomes of GERD symptoms in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concomitant HHR on GERD symptoms in morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG. Aim of the Work To analyse the impact of hiatal hernia repair (HHR) on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in morbidly obese patients with hiatus hernia undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Patients and Methods This is a retrospective cohart study. We collected the data of Patients who underwent lap sleeve gastrectomy with cruroplsty in the same operation in the period between July 2018 and July 2019. Results Before surgery, symptomatic GERD was present in 14 patients (70%), and HH was diagnosed In 20 patients (100%), HH was diagnosed pre-operatively. The mean follow-up was 6 months. GERD remission occurred in 18 patients (90%). In the remaining 2 patients, antireflux medications were diminished, with complete control of symptoms. HH recurrences developed in 1 patient (10%). "De novo" GERD symptoms developed in 22.9% of the patients undergoing SG alone compared with 0% of patients undergoing SG plus HHR. Conclusion SG with HHR is feasible and safe, providing good management of GERD in obese patients with reflux symptoms. Small hiatal defects could be underdiagnosed at preoperative endoscopy and/or upper gastrointestinal contrast study. Thus, a careful examination of the crura is always recommended intraoperatively.