Tubularized and Effaced Gastric Cardia Mimicking Barrett Esophagus Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: Protocolized Endoscopic and Histological Assessment With High-resolution Manometry Analysis

Yazmin Johari, Kenny Budiman, William Catchlove, Cheryl Laurie, Geoffrey Hebbard, Sam Norden, Wendy A. Brown, Paul Burton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective:To describe expected endoscopic and histological changes at gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) and define diagnostic paradigms for Barrett esophagus (BE) postsleeve gastrectomy (SG).Summary Background Data:De novo incidence of BE post SG was reported as high as 18.8%. A confounding factor is the lack of standardized definition of BE post SG, which may differ from the general population due to procedure-induced alterations of GEJ.

Methods:Part 1 involved evaluating endoscopic changes of GEJ post SG (N = 567) compared to pre SG (N = 320), utilizing protocolized preoperative screening, postoperative surveillance and synoptic reporting. Part 2 involved dedicated studies examining causes of altered anatomical and mucosal GEJ appearance using histopathology (N = 55) and high-resolution manometry (HRM) (N = 15).

Results:Part 1 - A characteristic tubularized cardia segment projecting supra-diaphragmatically was identified and almost exclusive to post SG (0.6% vs.26.6%, P < 0.001). True BE prevalence was low (4.1%pre SG vs. 3.8%post SG, P = 0.756), esophagitis was comparable (32.1% vs. 25.9%, P = 0.056). Part 2 - Histologically-confirmed BE was found in 12/55 patients, but 70.8% had glandular-type gastric mucosa implying tubularized cardia herniation. HRM of tubularized cardia demonstrated concordance of supra-diaphragmatic cardia herniation between endoscopy and HRM (3-cm vs. 3.2-cm, P = 0.168), with frequent elevated isobaric intraluminal pressurizations in supra-and infra-diaphragmatic cardia compartments.

Conclusion:A novel appearance of tubularized cardia telescoping supra-diaphragmatically with flattening of gastric folds is common post SG, likely associated with isobaric hyper-pressurization of proximal stomach. incidence of true BE post SG is low in short-intermediate term. These provided a clear framework for approaching endoscopic screening and surveillance, with correct anatomical and mucosal identifications, and clarified key issues of SG and BE.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-127
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Surgery
Volume276
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • barrett esophagus
  • gastro-oesophageal reflux
  • high-resolution manometry
  • intraluminal pressure
  • sleeve gastrectomy

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