Outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by means of esophageal manometry and pH-metry, before and after surgery

Introduction

In the last 30 years, obesity has become a chronic disease that is threatening humanity in the form of a global pandemic [1]. Solutions are being intensively sought to address the changes and restrictions in daily life, the high morbidity, the loss of work force, and costs associated with obesity. There has been a great increase in the frequency of obesity surgery performed in the last 10 years, which is now a widely used procedure throughout the world [2].

Bariatric surgery is performed to reduce calorie intake or prevent the absorption of calories consumed. The techniques applied can be divided into restrictive methods, malabsorptive methods, and combinations of both [3]. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a restrictive technique and is the most commonly used procedure in obesity surgery throughout the world [4]. The technique is popular because it is well defined, it is easier to perform than other types of bariatric surgery, the learning curve is shorter, the morbidity and mortality rates are low, and it leads to effective weight loss [5].

Nevertheless, the effect of LSG on the natural physiological functions of the esophagus and stomach has not been clearly established. Reflux symptoms are seen at higher rates in obese subjects, which increases the complexity of this natural process [6, 7]. Esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and symptoms of adenocarcinoma could cause gastro-esophageal reflux disease and are serious causes of mortality [8]. Studies on sleeve gastrectomy surgery have commonly examined the motility of the esophagus and the behavior of the lower esophagus sphincter and remnant stomach.

Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring (APM) and esophagus manometry (EM) have been successfully used for the evaluation of esophagus and stomach pathophysiology. Studies that have investigated the efficacy of LSG have almost all used these tests. Factors that protect against reflux include peristaltic contractions of the esophagus at a sufficient severity (30–150 mm Hg), lower tonus (10–25 mm Hg) of the esophagus sphincter (which functions as a valve), and robustness in terms of a lack of pathology [9]. An increase in weight increases the intra-abdominal pressure, which is directly associated with increased intragastric pressure. The resting tonus decreases as a result of removing the angle of His from the expanded stomach and shortening the lower esophagus sphincter. However, the primary basic factor is transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR). With the protective mechanisms not functioning, a pathological reflux process begins [10].

Many studies have reported that de novo pathological reflux is seen or that reflux symptoms are worsened following sleeve gastrectomies in which the mean excess weight loss (EWL) is 60% [11–13]. This seems to be a serious contradiction and suggests a negative effect of sleeve gastrectomy on the gastro-esophageal gradient, in contrast to the weight loss. This study was designed to address this issue. APM and EM measurements were taken preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy.

Aim

The aim of the study was to present the effects of sleeve gastrectomy on esophagus contraction, lower esophagus sphincter, acid reflux, and intragastric pressure.

Material and methods

The same physicians performed the operations using the same technique between 2016 and 2017. Before the operation, a routine anesthesia preparation was administered, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, APM, and EM were carried out. At 3 months postoperatively, APM and EM were carried out again, and the results were compared with the preoperative values. Sleeve gastrectomy was applied to all the patients in the study. Patients were excluded if they had an esophageal motor disorder, an advanced stage of hiatus hernia (grades III and IV), or if any complications developed postoperatively.

The APM was carried out preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. A pH catheter was applied to all patients (Versaflex, Given Imaging, GA, USA), and no proton-pump inhibitors were used for a period of at least 10 days. The sensor was calibrated in pH buffer solutions of pH 7 and pH 1 and then positioned 5 cm above the upper border of the LES. All patients completed a standardized diary and were encouraged to perform normal daily activities. No specific food restrictions or standardized diets were applied. The data were recorded and transferred to a computer for analysis (Polygram Net pH Testing System, Medtronic, USA). The analysis included the total percentage time of pH < 4.0, the total number of reflux episodes, the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min, and the duration of the longest reflux episode. The DeMeester score was calculated and was considered abnormal if > 14.72.

The EM was applied preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively using Solar GI Air-Charged Intelligent Gastrointestinal Conventional Manometry (Medical Measurement Systems, The Netherlands). A 4-channel air-charged circumferential pressure catheter (Latitude Gastrointestinal Manometry Catheter Clinical Innovations, Inc., Murray, Utah) with a 5-cm distance between the sensors was inserted through a nostril and positioned to straddle the gastroesophageal junction.

The LES pressure (LESP) was calculated as the difference between the end-expiratory LESP and the end-expiratory gastric pressure using the station pull-through technique. All the pressure values referred to atmospheric pressure and were stated in mm Hg. After measurements of the intra-gastric pressure were taken with the distal sensor, the catheter was pulled back for placement on the lower esophageal sphincter. Esophageal body contractions were measured using 4 sensors positioned at 0, 5, 10, and 15 cm above the LES. Using 5 ml of water, 10 consecutive wet swallows at 30-second intervals were measured. In the analysis of the swallows, the values examined were the total length of the LES, LESP, residual pressure of LES (LESR), relaxation time of the LES, amplitude pressure of the esophagus (AP), and intragastric pressure.

The LSG procedure was applied with the division of the greater curvature vessels using a Ligasure device (Covidien, USA) starting at 1 cm from the pylorus as far as the angle of His to cut the short gastric and posterior fundic vessels. Upon completion of this maneuver, a 36-Fr bougie was introduced into the stomach by the anesthesiologist and advanced by the surgeon along the lesser curvature into the pyloric channel and duodenal bulb. An EndoGIA device (Covidien, USA) with 4.8-mm staplers (green charge) was introduced through the 15-mm port in the right quadrant to start the division of the antrum 2–3 cm from the pylorus. This was completed with another green charge to the angular incision.

Using a stapler, a pouch was created starting approximately 2–3 cm proximal to the pylorus and continuing parallel to the lesser curvature of the stomach as far as the angle of His and terminating approximately 1 cm to the left of the esophagus with 3–4 charges of a 3.8-mm stapler (EndoGIA; blue charge). To ensure that there was no leakage along the suture line and to assess the gastric capacity, methylene blue was instilled through the bougie to this gastric tubular pouch, which had a capacity of 60–80 ml. There was no intraoperative requirement of crural repair for any patient.

Results

The total of 62 patients comprised 12 (19.4%) males and 50 (80.6%) females with a mean age of 40.3 ±10.6 years (range: 20–58 years) (Table I). The mean preoperative BMI of the cases was 47.91 ±6.23 kg/m². At 3 months postoperatively, the mean BMI was 38 ±7.62 kg/m², and the mean weight loss was 27.3 ±7.2 kg. The APM and EM data are shown in Table II.

In the EM examination, all cases had a normal LESL with a mean of 3.39 ±0.66 cm preoperatively, which did not change at 3 months postoperatively, when the mean was 3.34 ±0.72 cm. The LESP value was in the normal range preoperatively with a mean of 18.8 ±5.1 mm Hg, which significantly decreased to 16.6 ±4.4 mm Hg postoperatively, which is still in the normal range (p = 0.004, p < 0.01). In 2 cases, LESP (7 mm Hg) was consistent with the definition of hypotensive LES (< 10 mm Hg). This demonstrated that there was a certain amount of regression in the LESP value in almost all the cases. The AP was measured as 84.8 ±23 mm Hg preoperatively and 80.8 ±19.3 mm Hg postoperatively, but the difference was not statistically significant (Table II).

In the comparison of the LESR values, a mean reduction of 0.85 ±3.89 mmHg was determined, but the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.084). In contrast to the LESR, a statistically significant increase of 1.90 ±2.20 s was determined in the relaxation time of the LES (p = 0.001) (Table II). When the change in intragastric pressure was examined, the measurement was 10.69 ±3.71 preoperatively and 10.95 ±2.87 postoperatively with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.609, p > 0.05) (Table II).

In the preoperative APM evaluation, the total De-Meester score was 17.26 ±15.74 (> 14.2), which was to be expected in obese cases. A statistically significant increase was determined in the postoperative measurement of 33.84 ±26.55 (p = 0.001, p < 0.01). Of the parameters forming the DeMeester score, there was a unit increase in the total number of reflux episodes of 11.32 ±49.48, but not at a statistically significant level (p = 0.076, p > 0.05) (Table II).

There were statistically significant changes in the total percent time of pH < 4.0, the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min, and the duration of the longest reflux episode measurements (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). A multivariate analysis was done to determine which of these sub-parameters caused an increase in the DeMeester score, and the model was found to be significant. The coefficient explaining the model was found to be at a very good level (91%) (Table III).

The odds ratio obtained for the total number of reflux episodes was 0.171 (95% CI: 0.116–0.226). The odds ratio for the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min was 1.866 (95% CI: 1.068–2.2263), and that for the longest reflux episode was 0.371 (95% CI: 0.258–0.489). According to these results, the parameter creating the greatest difference was determined to be the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min (Table III).

Discussion

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure that provides effective weight loss. In the current study, excess BMI loss among the cases at the end of the 3^rd month postoperatively was determined as 9.91 ±5.38. Burgerhart et al. reported similar weight loss after 3 months [14]. Weight loss was reported to occur in the early period and decrease after the second year, after which weight was regained [15]. However, as only early-period data were available, it is not possible to make such a conclusion in the current study.

At the end of 3 months postoperatively, the sleeve gastrectomy reduced LESP without any change to LESL and AP or causing an increase in intragastric pressure. Moreover, it caused a longer relaxation time of the LES without changing LESR. The sleeve gastrectomy also increased acid reflux, and an increase was found in the DeMeester score. This difference was mostly caused by the parameter of the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min.

In many studies, LSG is accepted as a refluxogenic operation [16–18]. However, no clear correlation has been established between reflux disease and LSG, and it is not possible to explain a pathology with a single variable. Several studies have reported a fall in LESP after LSG [14, 19]. However, other studies have stated that LESP remains stable without changing, and some have even reported an increase [20, 21]. Petersen reported an increase in sphincter tonus, which was reflected in the manometric measurement of the surgical technique applied independently of weight loss [20]. A loss of sphincter length and the destruction of the angle of His have been considered the most responsible for the decrease in LESP [22]. However, in the defined technique of LSG, it has been reported that clasp fibers and sling fibers provide protection against contraction of the transection to be made 1–1.5 cm distal to the angle of His [21]. The contradictions mentioned are found to continue after surgery is applied with an appropriate technique.

A greater relaxation time of the LES and a fall in LESP can be considered as basic factors that explain the pathology. Thus, the lower sphincter remaining open for a longer time prevents clearance of the esophagus and causes greater exposure to acid. Although this argument does not explain the lack of significance in the pressure change in LESR, there are studies with similar findings [23]. No change was seen in the AP, which is consistent with the literature [24]. In the preoperative evaluation, no impairment was seen in the motor function of the esophagus. These types of data can be predicted when there is no surgery-related complication.

Intra-abdominal pressure is known to be high in cases of obesity, and when there is a competent pylorus, a direct increase is caused in the intragastric area. When the intragastric pressure exceeds the LES pressure, pathological reflux occurs. In LSG, the stomach is brought into the shape of a tube with resection of the large curvature. Thus, by removing compliance, there is an increase in pressure in the intragastric area [25].

However, in the current study, there was no increase in intragastric pressure. Some studies have reported a difference in pressure [26, 27]. Although the reason has not been fully explained, it has been suggested that with a resection made close to the antrum (< 3 cm), the rate of stomach evacuation is increased, and there is stomach drainage without making any change to the intragastric pressure [28]. In the current study, it is thought that there was no increase in intragastric pressure because the resection was started 1–2 cm proximal to the antrum, in accordance with this theory.

There are many examples of a significant increase in the DeMeester score with 24-h pH monitoring [21, 29, 30]. Nevertheless, there are also studies that have reported no change or even a decrease in the score [15, 24]. Of the parameters forming the DeMeester score, no significant increase was seen in the total number of reflux episodes, whereas the total number of reflux episodes longer than 5 min was found to have the greatest effect. This was thought to be related to the decrease seen in LESP. It can be said that the duration of contact was increased by exposure to acid rather than the reflux episode. It has been similarly reported that the parameter with the greatest effect is the total number of episodes longer than 5 min [14].

There were some limitations to this study. First, only early results were examined, so no long-term evaluation could be made. The amount of non-acid reflux was not evaluated in the measurements, and yet non-acid reflux forms the largest part of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition, symptoms were not assessed with a measurement system such as the Reflux Disease Questionnaire.

Conclusions

The LSG provides effective weight loss in the early period. In addition, a reduction in LESP leads to prolonged relaxation time of the LES, which causes an increase in acid reflux. This is reflected in the increase in the measured DeMeester score.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.