Subjective improvement of reflux symptoms after conversion of sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and concomitant repair of hiatal hernia.

Background: Symptoms of reflux after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are common and may be refractory to medical treatment.

Objectives: To assess outcomes of conversion of SG to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with concomitant repair of hiatal hernias on symptoms of reflux.

Setting: Tertiary community hospital.

Methods: We reviewed data from all consecutive patients (2018-2021) who underwent conversion from SG to RYGB for refractory reflux symptoms. Concomitant hiatal hernias were diagnosed endoscopically or radiographically. Improvement in reflux symptoms, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, or abdominal pain and postoperative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use were compared with McNemar statistical test. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation.

Results: In total, 64 patients (92% female; 48 ± 10 years) underwent conversion from SG to RYGB and repair of concomitant hiatal hernias 4 ± 3 years after the index SG. A hiatal hernia was detected preoperatively in 57 of 64 patients (89%) by either upper gastrointestinal contrast studies, computed tomography scan, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. At 29 ± 14 months postconversion to RYGB, percent total body weight loss was 14 ± 9% and percent excess weight loss was 37 ± 29%, and body mass index decreased from 37 ± 7 to 32 ± 6 kg/m². Symptoms of reflux and use of PPI improved during the early follow-up period (median: 14 months; P < .001) and was sustained at late follow-up (median: 32 months; P < .01). Improvement of nausea and dysphagia reached statistical significance at late follow-up (median: 32 months; P < .01). Vomiting and abdominal pain decreased with time but did not reach statistical significance. Postoperative complications were deep surgical-site infection (n = 3), pulmonary embolism (n = 1), bleeding (n = 5), reoperation (n = 3), and 30-day readmission (n = 6).

Conclusions: Conversion of SG to RYGB and repair of concomitant hiatal hernia improves reflux symptoms, nausea, and dysphagia, reduces PPI use, and confers additional weight loss.