Obesity Surgery 1999; 9: 527-531
Dixon JB, O'Brien PE. Gastroesophageal Reflux in Obesity. The effect of Lap Band Placement.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition which is often aggravated by obesity. Several reports have suggested that gastric banding can aggravate or even cause reflux.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lap banding on GERD.
All patients with a significant history of GERD who had a lap band placement over a 2-year period were evaluated to assess any change in their reflux symptoms. In all, there were 48 (16%) of 274 patients with a history of significant reflux oesophagitis requiring regular treatment pre-operatively. Following gastric banding, total resolution of symptoms occurred in 36 (76%) of patients, improvement in 7 (14%), no change in 3 (6%) and worsening of symptoms in 2 (4%).
The authors conclude that rapid and major improvement in GERD symptoms occurs in the vast majority of patients after lap-band surgery.
