Impact of Crural Repair and Gastropexy During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Impact of Concomitant Crural Repair and Gastropexy on Gastroesophageal Reflux and Postoperative Outcomes During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

This prospective, randomized comparative controlled study evaluated the impact of concomitant posterior crural repair and posterior gastropexy on postoperative reflux outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The study was completed with a total of 50 patients, with 25 patients in each group. Participants were allocated to either the control group, which received standard LSG, or the study group, which underwent LSG combined with systematic hiatal dissection, posterior crural repair, and posterior gastropexy. No patient had evidence of hiatal hernia on preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The primary endpoint was postoperative reflux symptom burden at one-year follow-up, assessed using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (F-Scale) and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS). Secondary endpoints included operative time, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, proton pump inhibitor use, postoperative weight loss, and concordance between preoperative endoscopy and intraoperative hiatal assessment.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a highly effective and widely performed bariatric procedure; however, postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains a significant and challenging complication. The mechanisms underlying reflux post-LSG are multifactorial, including disruption of the gastroesophageal junction, decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and intrathoracic migration of the gastric sleeve.

This prospective, randomized, comparative controlled study aims to evaluate the efficacy of incorporating systematic hiatal dissection, posterior crural repair, and posterior gastropexy into the standard LSG procedure to mitigate postoperative reflux. A total of 50 patients with severe obesity completed the study, with 25 patients in each of the following groups:

1. Control Group (n=25): Underwent standard LSG.
2. Study Group (n=25): Underwent standard LSG combined with systematic intraoperative hiatal dissection, posterior crural repair to approximate the crura, and posterior gastropexy by anchoring the gastric corpus to the prepancreatic fascia.

These additional steps aim to preserve normal gastric anatomy, maintain the anatomical position of the sleeve, and prevent intrathoracic migration. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at a one-year postoperative follow-up. The primary outcome is the assessment of postoperative reflux symptom burden using two questionnaires: the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (F-Scale) and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS). Secondary outcomes include a comparison of operative time, 30-day postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, postoperative weight loss (%EWL and %TWL), and changes in proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Additionally, the study assesses the concordance between preoperative endoscopic findings and intraoperative hiatal assessments in the study group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosis of severe obesity for at least five years, defined as body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m², or BMI > 35 kg/m² in the presence of obesity-related comorbidities
• Temporary or inadequate weight-loss response to a dietitian-supervised medical weight-management programme
• Absence of hiatal hernia on preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to provide informed consent
• History of upper gastrointestinal surgery
• Presence of gastric ulcer, esophagitis, or hiatal hernia on preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Known allergy to any of the planned postoperative medications (proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, paracetamol, or tramadol)
• Known coagulopathy
• Peripheral vascular disease
• History of cerebrovascular accident
• Intraoperative conversion to a bariatric procedure other than laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)