Evaluation of Anterior Phrenoesophageal Ligament Preservation During Hiatus Hernia Repair in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy as an Anti-Reflux Measure

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common bariatric procedure, but it had been reported to increase the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its consequences. Some surgeons tried to decrease that by routine hiatal dissection with hiatus hernia (HH) repair. But, hiatal dissection with HH repair is considered an important risk factor for the newly emergent complication of intrathoracic sleeve migration (ITSM). We proposed a new hiatal repair technique, which is expected to improve GERD without increasing the potential for ITSM. This study aims to evaluate the results of this technique. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at the Ain Shams University Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. It included patients with morbid obesity and one of the following: Clinical manifestations of GERD with endoscopic evidence of HH/laxity or esophagitis. Asymptomatic HH/laxity. LSG combined and HH repair with anterior phrenoesophageal ligament (PEL) preservation was performed for all patients. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Patients were evaluated after 1 year with an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in our study. After 1 year, the mean excess weight loss was 63% ± 23%. The mean GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) score dropped to 12 ± 8. GERD-HRQL scores improved in 25 of documented esophagitis patients, worsened in 2, and did not change in 2 patients. Endoscopy showed a decrease in rate and degree of esophagitis (from 28 [87.5%] preoperatively to 8 [25%] patients after 1 year of follow-up). The improvement was better in patients with grade A and B esophagitis. Two patients were converted to gastric bypass due to persistent intractable GERD symptoms with grade C esophagitis despite medical treatment. No cases of ITSM were detected. Conclusion: Anterior PEL preserving HH repair combined with LSG is a safe and feasible technique that can control GERD manifestations without interference with the technique or outcome of LSG.