Laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation device placement for patients with medically-refractory gastroesophageal reflux after sleeve gastrectomy

Background The use of the magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) in patients with de novo or persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after sleeve gastrectomy has not been thoroughly investigated. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MSA device placement in improving GERD symptoms and reducing anti-reflux medication usage in patients with persistent or de novo GERD after sleeve gastrectomy. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic MSA device placement between January 2018 and July 2020 after sleeve gastrectomy. Results A total of twenty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty patients were female (91%) and two patients were male (9%). All patients were taking anti-reflux medications daily to control GERD symptoms prior to MSA device placement. There was a significant improvement in the mean GERD-HRQL survey scores when comparing scores prior to (43.8) and after (16.7) MSA device placement (p < 0.0001). Majority of the patients did well without any post-operative complications (77%). Nearly 82% of patients were no longer taking any anti-acid medications after MSA device placement (p < 0.0485). There were no patients that required MSA device removals. There were no adverse events such as MSA device erosions or device-related mortalities. Conclusions MSA device placement in patients with medically refractory GERD after sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and viable alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass without conferring additional risks. We show an improvement in reflux symptoms after MSA device placement as evidenced by decreased post-operative GERD-HRQL scores, decreased anti-acid medication usage, and overall patient satisfaction with the procedure. Further prospective and comparative studies with longer term follow-up are needed to validate the use of MSA in patients who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy.