Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most important obesity-related comorbidity, with prevalence >50% in obese population. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for metabolic surgery in obese patients with GERD, but in a subgroup of patients this pathological GERD may be not really controlled after this technique. Aims of this article are to discuss surgical and endoscopic options to manage refractory GERD after RYGB. We realized a literature review using the PubMed database and searching articles published before December 2019 about GERD after RYGB. We found six studies, four case reports, and two retrospective studies about surgical and endoscopic options to treat this subgroup of patients. Pharmacological therapy and life style optimization are the first line of treatment. For resistant GERD, new surgical and endoscopic strategies are proposed in the past years to manage this subgroup of patients related to anatomic limitation of RYGB. More studies are needed to compare surgical and endoscopic solutions. The choice of treatment depends on local resources and skills, and if necessary refer the patient to a specialist center.