Obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are prevalent in Western populations. In obese patients, high-resolution manometry often shows altered gastroesophageal pressure gradients, promoting retrograde gastric content flow into the esophagus and esophagogastric junction disruption, leading to a hiatal hernia. Hernia recurrence is higher in the obese, and recurrence is seen regardless of the operative approach used. Bariatric surgery is the gold-standard treatment for GERD in obese patients, and symptom improvement varies depending on the specific bariatric procedure performed, Roux-en-Y (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Studies have shown these surgeries significantly improve GERD, but RYGB had the greatest effect. Limited data is available examining the progression or regression of Barrett's following bariatric surgery. We currently recommend RYGB for morbidly obese patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Barrett’s esophagus; GERD; Obesity; Reflux.