Concurrent bariatric surgery and paraesophageal hernia repair: comparison of sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background

Paraesophageal hernia (PEH) is a common condition that bariatric surgeons encounter. Expert opinion is split on whether bariatric surgery and PEH repair should be completed concurrently or sequentially. We hypothesized that concurrent bariatric surgery and PEH repair is safe.

Objectives

We examined 30-day outcomes after concomitant PEH repair and bariatric surgery.

Setting

National database, United States.

Methods

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2011–2014), we identified patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) with or without PEH repair. A propensity score-matching algorithm was used to compare patients who underwent either LRYGB or LSG with PEH repair. The primary outcome was overall morbidity. Secondary outcomes included mortality, serious morbidity, readmission, and reoperation.

Results

Of the 76,343 patients in this study, 5958 (7.80%) underwent PEH repair concurrently with bariatric surgery. The frequency of bariatric operations that included PEH repair increased over time (2.14% in 2010 versus 12.17% in 2014, P<.001). The rate of PEH/LSG was higher than PEH/LRYGB in 2014 (8.9 % versus 3.2%). There were no significant differences in outcomes between the matched cohort of PEH and non-PEH patients. Subgroup analysis showed significantly greater rates of morbidity (6.20% versus 2.69%, P<.001), readmission (6.33% versus 3.06%, P<.001), and reoperation (3.00% versus 1.05%, P<.001) for PEH/LRYGB versus PEH/LSG.

Conclusions

A PEH repair at the time of bariatric surgery does not appear to be associated with increased morbidity or mortality. A concurrent approach to treat patients with severe obesity and PEH appears safe.