Barium swallow for hiatal hernia detection is unnecessary prior to primary sleeve gastrectomy

Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2017 Feb;13(2):138-142. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.08.006. Epub 2016 Aug 5.

Abstract

Background: Hiatal hernia (HH) is common in the bariatric population. Its presence imposes various degrees of difficulty in performing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Preoperative upper gastrointestinal evaluation consists of fluoroscopic and or endoscopic studies OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of routine, preoperative barium swallow in identifying HH in patients undergoing LSG, and determine if such foreknowledge changes operative and immediate postoperative course regarding operative time, intraoperative adverse events, and length of hospital stay (LOS). In addition, to quantify HH prevalence in these patients and correlate preoperative patient characteristics with its presence.

Setting: High-volume bariatric practice in a private hospital in Israel METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data between October 2010 and March 2015: anthropometrics, co-morbidities, previous barium swallow, preoperative HH workup (type and result), operative and immediate postoperative course.

Results: Primary LSG was performed in 2417 patients. The overall prevalence of HH was 7.3%. Preoperative diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease and female gender were independent risk factors for HH presence. Operative times were significantly longer when HH was concomitantly repaired but "foreknowledge" thereof did not assist in shortening this time. Looking for an HH that was suggested in preoperative upper gastrointestinal evaluation slightly prolonged surgery. LOS was not changed in a significant fashion by HH presence and repair, whether suspected or incidentally found.

Conclusion: Routine, pre-LSG barium swallow does not seem to offer an advantage over selective intraoperative hiatal exploration, in the discovery and management of HH. Conversely, when preoperative workup yields a false-positive result, surgery is slightly prolonged.

Keywords: Barium swallow; Diaphragmatic hernia; Hiatal hernia; Paraesophageal hernia; Sleeve gastrectomy.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bariatric Surgery / methods
  • Barium*
  • Contrast Media*
  • Female
  • Gastrectomy / methods*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / complications
  • Hernia, Hiatal / diagnosis*
  • Hernia, Hiatal / surgery
  • Herniorrhaphy / methods
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications / etiology
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery
  • Operative Time
  • Preoperative Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Unnecessary Procedures
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Barium