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Gastroesophageal Reflux Management with the LINX® System for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

  • Original Article
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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has gained significant popularity in the USA, and consequently resulted in patients experiencing new-onset gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following this bariatric procedure. Patients with GERD refractory to medical therapy present a more challenging situation limiting the surgical options to further treat the de novo GERD symptoms since the gastric fundus to perform a fundoplication is no longer an option.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to determine if the LINX® magnetic sphincter augmentation system is a safe and effective option for patients with new gastroesophageal reflux disease following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Settings

This study was conducted at the University Medical Center.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of seven consecutive patients who had a laparoscopic LINX® magnetic sphincter device placement for patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between July 2014 and April 2015.

Results

All patients were noted to have self-reported greatly improved gastroesophageal reflux symptoms 2–4 weeks after their procedure. They were all noted to have statistically significant improved severity and frequency of their reflux, regurgitation, epigastric pain, sensation of fullness, dysphagia, and cough symptoms in their postoperative GERD symptoms compared with their preoperative evaluation.

Conclusion

This is the first reported pilot case series, illustrating that the LINX® device is a safe and effective option in patients with de novo refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease after a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy despite appropriate weight loss.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Kenneth Desart, Georgios Rossidis, Michael Michel & Tamara Lux

  2. Mount Sinai Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, 4306 Alton Road, 2nd Floor, Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA

    Kfir Ben-David

Authors
  1. Kenneth Desart
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  2. Georgios Rossidis
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  3. Michael Michel
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  4. Tamara Lux
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  5. Kfir Ben-David
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Correspondence to Kfir Ben-David.

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Desart, K., Rossidis, G., Michel, M. et al. Gastroesophageal Reflux Management with the LINX® System for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. J Gastrointest Surg 19, 1782–1786 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-015-2887-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-015-2887-z

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