<p>Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients without reflux symptoms undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: utility or futility?</p>

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the value of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as a preoperative investigation in individuals without symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) who will undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Materials and methods After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, patients scheduled for LSG were prospectively enrolled in the study between January 2016 and March 2018. Patients with symptoms of GERD were excluded from the study. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: individuals who underwent EGD before the surgery as a usual routine investigation (Group A), and individuals who were scheduled without preoperative EGD (Group B). Patient demographics, endoscopic findings, endoscopic biopsy results, and histopathological findings of the resected parts of the stomach after LSG were analyzed and recorded. Additionally, operative characteristics and outcomes, and follow up findings were recorded and analyzed with appropriate statistical methods. Results A total of 219 individuals without symptoms of GERD underwent LSG were enrolled. Group A included 111 individuals (25 males and 86 females). Group B comprised 108 individuals (20 males and 88 females). The mean age and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) were similar in both groups. From Group A, 86 out of 111 individuals (77.5%) had no pathology identified on EGD, while 21 individuals (18.9%) were found to have areas of gastric erythema and biopsies showed active gastritis. All LSG operations were performed without any major complication. After one year, all individuals were assessed for the presence of symptomatic GERD and no significant difference was found between the two groups. Conclusion Preoperative EGD may not be mandatory for asymptomatic GERD individuals undergoing LSG as post-operative complications and early follow up for GERD symptoms are not significantly different. Further prospective studies with longer follow up are needed to evaluate the role of EGD in individuals undergoing LSG.

Is gastroscopy necessary before bariatric surgery?

“…Mazahreh et al [ 31 ] prospectively evaluated 219 patients scheduled for LSG, and 1 year later, all individuals were evaluated for the presence of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease, and no significant difference was found between the two groups, so they stated that they did not require routine EGD. Gastric biopsy was performed on 148 patients.…”

Bariatric surgery in the Middle East and North Africa: narrative review with focus on culture-specific considerations

“…(51) Retrospective studies have suggested that routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can be informative in preventing the cancellation or postponement of bariatric surgery in the UAE (52) and KSA, (53) whereas other studies showed no benefit in surgical management in Qatar (54) and among individuals without symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Jordan. (55) Therefore, the lack of uniform standards for preoperative care may affect compliance, implementation of evidence-based practice, and ultimately patient outcomes after bariatric surgery in the MENA region.…”