Comparative efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy with fundoplication versus standard sleeve gastrectomy in obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A randomised trial.

Aims: This randomised controlled trial compared the efficacy of modified laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with fundoplication (LSGFD) versus standard laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in achieving weight loss and alleviating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with obesity.

Materials and methods: Eighty patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥27.5 kg/m² with comorbidities or ≥32.5 kg/m²) with mild-to-moderate GERD were randomised to LSGFD (n = 27) or LSG (n = 53). Assessments included weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), GERD Questionnaire scores, endoscopy, lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and DeMeester scores preoperatively and at 6-12 months postoperatively. Fundoplication type (180° Dor, 270° Toupet or 360° Nissen) was intraoperatively adjusted based on LES pressure. Statistical analyses used t-tests, analysis of variance and chi-square tests (SPSS v19.0).

Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in preoperative parameters. However, at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, both groups showed significant reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio, along with a significant increase in the %EWL. The LSGFD group demonstrated superior outcomes in treating GERD and other obesity-related comorbidities, particularly notable improvements in reflux esophagitis.

Conclusions: LSGFD provides equivalent weight loss to LSG but significantly superior control of GERD symptoms and resolution of reflux esophagitis. It offers enhanced management of obesity-related comorbidities without increasing surgical risk, supporting its use in obese patients with GERD.