Background: Morbid obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which, in most cases, completely resolves after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms have limited surgical options. This study sought to evaluate the application of the Stretta procedure for patients with refractory GERD.
Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent Stretta for refractory GERD after RYGB were reviewed. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative reflux data were collected. Data are presented as mean +/- standard error of the mean. The t-test was used for comparison purposes.
Results: Of 369 patients, 7 received Stretta 27 +/- 6 months after RYGB. All were women with a mean age of 49 +/- 2 years. All the patients had experienced prebypass GERD symptoms for a duration of 45 +/- 8 months. The mean prebypass body mass index was 45 +/- 2 kg/m(2), and this was reduced to 29 +/- 2 kg/m(2) after laparoscopic RYGB (p < 0.001). Before Stretta, all patients underwent a 48-h Bravo pH study, which demonstrated reflux with a mean fraction time of 7% +/- 2% for pH lower than 4. After Stretta, five patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, with normalization of pH studies (mean fraction time of 3% +/- 0% for pH < 4). The follow-up period after Stretta was 20 +/- 2 months. One patient did not have adequate relief of symptoms after Stretta, and one patient was lost to follow-up evaluation.
Conclusion: Stretta is a valid option in the treatment of persistent GERD for patients who have undergone gastric bypass. Further study is required to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure.