Impact of Crural Repair and Gastropexy During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

This prospective, randomized comparative controlled study evaluated the impact of concomitant posterior crural repair and posterior gastropexy on postoperative reflux outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The study was completed with a total of 50 patients, with 25 patients in each group. Participants were allocated to either the control group, which received standard LSG, or the study group, which underwent LSG combined with systematic hiatal dissection, posterior crural repair, and posterior gastropexy. No patient had evidence of hiatal hernia on preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The primary endpoint was postoperative reflux symptom burden at one-year follow-up, assessed using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (F-Scale) and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS). Secondary endpoints included operative time, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, proton pump inhibitor use, postoperative weight loss, and concordance between preoperative endoscopy and intraoperative hiatal assessment.