ObesityREPAIRNCT05330910
Crural Repair During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Patients With a Lax Gastroesophageal Junction
A study testing Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair arm and Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm in people with Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Candidate, run by Sengkang General Hospital at 2 sites in Singapore.
Trial summary
Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the commonest bariatric procedures. However, it is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Obesity, Bariatric Surgery Candidate, Esophagus Injury
- What is being tested?
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair arm and Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 96 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesSingapore
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2022to 30 Apr 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 21-65 years old
- Able to provide informed consent
- Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction on preoperative endoscopy
- Opted to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as their bariatric procedure
Who cannot join
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
- Contraindications to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Opted not to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Had previous upper gastrointestinal surgery
- Had documented erosive esophagitis on preoperative endoscopy
- Had Hill's grade I, II or IV gastroesophageal junction on preoperative endoscopy
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Singapore2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore, 168753
Jeremy Tian Hui Tan, MBBS, FRACS
- Recruiting
Sengkang General Hospital
Singapore, 544886
Koy Min Chue, MBBS, FRCSEd, +65 91196091, chuekoymin@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating PAtients With Lax Gastroesophageal Junction to Initial Sleeve Gastrectomy With or Without Concomitant Crural Repair (REPAIR)
Background:
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the commonest bariatric procedures. However, it is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). The investigators' preliminary study suggests that the incidence of postoperative GERD and EE appears to be correlated with the preoperative presence of a lax gastroesophageal flap valve and hiatal hernia.
Read more
Hypothesis/ Aim:
To investigate the impact of a concomitant hiatal hernia repair with LSG on the incidence of postoperative EE.
Significance:
For patients with pre-existing EE, most surgeons will recommend a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) as their primary bariatric procedure. However, compared to LSG, LRYGB is a technically more demanding procedure with increased morbidity and long term nutritional deficiencies. For asymptomatic patients at risk of postoperative EE due to presence of a hiatal hernia, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate bariatric surgical option. A LSG with a concomitant hiatal hernia repair, if shown to reduce EE postoperatively, may help to expand the pool of patients suitable for LSG in the future.
Methods:
A two center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of all patients, undergoing LSG with a preoperative diagnosis of a Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction, will be randomized to having a concomitant hiatal hernia repair (experimental arm) versus just LSG alone (control arm). Primary outcome measures include 1-year postoperative EE on endoscopy. Secondary outcome measures include postoperative morbidity, blood loss, quality of life and GERD symptoms at 1-year postoperatively.
Read the detailed description
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most common bariatric procedures performed worldwide, accounting for more than 50% of all bariatric procedures, and with respectable weight loss and metabolic benefits which are comparable to the gold standard laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, one of the main disadvantages of LSG is its tendency to cause post-operative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE).
To date, it is widely accepted that LSG should be avoided for patients with underlying GERD or EE. However, there is no consensus for asymptomatic patients, including those with an underlying hiatal hernia, which is known to predispose to GERD.
Currently, the two commonly employed methods for endoscopic classification of a hiatal hernia are via its axial length, or by grading the gastroesophageal flap valve, better known as the Hill's classification system.
Multiple retrospective cohort studies have documented a reduction in postoperative GERD following a concomitant LSG with a hiatal hernia repair, in patients with a preoperative diagnosed hiatal hernia. However, to date, there is only one randomized controlled trial which compared the efficacy of concomitant LSG with or without a concomitant hiatal hernia repair. Of the 100 patients, the trial did not report any differences in the incidence of postoperative GERD between the 2 groups. However, the trial had several limitations. Firstly, it included patients with no underlying hiatal hernia. In fact, of the 100 patients, 25 of them have no underlying hiatal hernia, thus may favour the outcome towards the null hypothesis. Subsequently, though the study attempted to randomize participants, while most baseline characteristics are well randomized, the most crucial element in the study, which was the length of the hiatal hernia, was significantly different between the 2 groups. Thirdly, the primary outcome was a subjective score via the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Lastly, assessment of the presence of a hiatal hernia via the axial length is known to be operator-dependent, as well as subject to changes between inspiration and expiration, which can make its assessment less objective.
The investigators' propose using the alternative classification system for grading a hiatal hernia, called the Hill's classification system, to determine the preoperative hiatal laxity of the gastroesophageal flap valve, to determine which patients will likely benefit from a LSG with a concomitant hiatal hernia repair. The system, first introduced by Hill et al in 1996, was derived from an observational study of 13 cadavers to determine the presence of an anti-reflux valve and hiatal hernia. In the absence of a hiatal hernia, the angle of His, defined as the acute angulation along the greater curve of the stomach where the esophagus enters the stomach, creates a flap valve mechanism. This laxity of this flap valve varies and can be objectively graded based on the Hill's classification. This classification has been shown to be superior to the axial measurement of a hiatal hernia in the endoscopic assessment of the gastroesophageal junction and its association with GERD.
The Hill's classification system is much more objective. The grade III gastroesophageal junction is easily and objectively assessed, with little inter-observer variability, by the presence of a failure of closure of the endoscope around the hiatus. Unlike patients with Hill's grade IV gastroesophageal junction with a frank hiatal hernia, these patients with a grade III gastroesophageal junction mainly have a lax junction, with at most a physiological (<3cm) hiatal hernia on axial length.
Thus, this study proposes using the Hill's classification system to assess the efficacy of a concomitant crural repair with LSG in patients with a lax gastroesophageal flap valve. The investigators' hypothesize that a select group of patients with an underlying lax gastroesophageal junction may benefit from a concomitant crural repair with LSG. This group of patients, with grade III gastroesophageal junction, who have a lax hiatus and a small or physiological hiatal hernia, may potentially the only patient group that may benefit from a laparoscopic hiatal hernia or crural repair.
Study design:
This study will be a double institution, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, involving surgeons from the Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Service, Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) as well as the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Study population:
Eligible patients will come from patients visiting the bariatric surgery consultation clinic from both SKH and SGH. Patients that are deemed eligible for bariatric surgery will always undergo a routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy as part of standard preoperative evaluation. Patients found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy preoperatively to have a Hill's grade 3 gastroesophageal flap valve, with no evidence of EE will then be recruited.
Included patients should be patients aged between 21-65 years old, able to provide informed consent, with Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction, that have opted to undergo LSG.
Excluded patients will include patients who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent, with contraindications to LSG, who have opted not for LSG, who had previous upper gastrointestinal surgery, who have preoperative documented EE on endoscopy, who are graded Hill's grade I, II or IV gastroesophageal junction on retroflexion view of the endoscope with the stomach fully distended.
Randomization:
Patients will be blinded to their randomization allocation. Their allocation will only be made known should there be any adverse event, as per ethical guidelines, or after their end of 1-year follow-up.
Outcome measures:
Primary outcome measures will be presence of EE at the end of their 1-year follow-up after 1-year endoscopy. Secondary outcome measures will include any differences in SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, differences in their Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, as well as a Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire.
- Being tested
- Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair arm, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm
- Keywords
- Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Medical subject headings
- Obesity, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Esophagitis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair armProcedure or surgery
Also called Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant crural repair arm, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant cruroplasty arm
Surgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. A hiatal dissection will also be performed during initial surgery, followed by a cruroplasty with Ethibon 0 sutures, in an interrupted manner.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy armProcedure or surgery
Also called Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy alone
Surgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm | Active comparator | Surgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. Receives: Procedure: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm |
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with hiatal hernia repair arm | Experimental | Surgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. A hiatal dissection will also be performed during initial surgery, followed by a cruroplasty with Ethibon 0 sutures, in an interrupted manner. Receives: Procedure: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair arm |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Presence or absence of post-operative erosive esophagitis
Presence or absence of erosive esophagitis on endoscopy
Measured: 1-year
Degree of Post-operative erosive esophagitis
Grading of erosive esophagitis on endoscopy, noted as absent, or grade A, B, C or D (based on the Los Angeles classification)
Measured: 1-year
Secondary outcomes (4)
General Quality of Life Scores
36-item Short Form Survey. It is a commonly employed questionnaire to assess overall quality of life. It comprises 36 short questions, which directly translates into a 0-100 scoring system. The higher the scores, the better the quality of life.
Measured: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms
Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. It is a questionnaire assessing 5 different symptom clusters of gastrointestinal symptoms, namely Reflux, Abdominal pain, Indigestion, Diarrhea and Constipation. Each domain has a 7-point graded scale, where 1 represents no symptoms and 7 represents very troublesome symptoms. Hence, the higher the scores in a particular domain, the more troublesome the symptoms. In assessing the endpoint of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, the domain of reflux in the GSRS questionnaire will be evaluated.
Measured: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Dysphagia symptoms
Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. It is a questionnaire assessing 5 different symptom clusters of gastrointestinal symptoms, namely Reflux, Abdominal pain, Indigestion, Diarrhea and Constipation. Each domain has a 7-point graded scale, where 1 represents no symptoms and 7 represents very troublesome symptoms. Hence, the higher the scores in a particular domain, the more troublesome the symptoms. In assessing the endpoint of dysphagia symptoms as the secondary outcome, the domain of indigestion in the GSRS questionnaire will be evaluated.
Measured: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Gastrointestinal reflux disease specific quality of life scores
Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD). The QOLRAD (reflux version) is a 25-item questionnaire specifically focusing on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. It can be scored based on frequencies, from none of the time to all of the time, for each question. The higher the frequency, the more prevalent the symptoms.
Measured: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Apr 2022
- Study start1 Apr 2022
- Primary completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Apr 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (14)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ObesityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study will be a double institution, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, involving surgeons from the Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Service, Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) as well as the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Randomization will be performed by block randomization, with each block of 4. Block randomization was selected given the small study size, to ensure equal representation in both arms of the study.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sengkang General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Singapore General Hospital
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Chue Koy Min, Sengkang General Hospital
- Investigators
- Baldwin Po Man Yeung, MBChB, FRCS, Principal investigator, Sengkang General HospitalJeremy Tian Hui Tan, MBBS, FRACS, Principal investigator, Singapore General HospitalKoy Min Chue, MBBS, FRCSEd, Principal investigator, Sengkang General Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05330910
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022/2028
- Acronym
- REPAIR
- Status last verified
- Apr 2022
- First submitted
- 27 Mar 2022
- Last updated
- 15 Apr 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Unless there is Institutional Ethics Board approval and patient consent
Publications
Berger ER, Huffman KM, Fraker T, Petrick AT, Brethauer SA, Hall BL, Ko CY, Morton JM. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bariatric Surgery Readmissions: Findings From 130,007 Admissions in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Ann Surg. 2018 Jan;267(1):122-131. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002079.
PubMed 27849660Peterli R, Wolnerhanssen BK, Peters T, Vetter D, Kroll D, Borbely Y, Schultes B, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Schiesser M, Nett P, Bueter M. Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss in Patients With Morbid Obesity: The SM-BOSS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018 Jan 16;319(3):255-265. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.20897.
PubMed 29340679Salminen P, Helmio M, Ovaska J, Juuti A, Leivonen M, Peromaa-Haavisto P, Hurme S, Soinio M, Nuutila P, Victorzon M. Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss at 5 Years Among Patients With Morbid Obesity: The SLEEVEPASS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018 Jan 16;319(3):241-254. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.20313.
PubMed 29340676Yeung KTD, Penney N, Ashrafian L, Darzi A, Ashrafian H. Does Sleeve Gastrectomy Expose the Distal Esophagus to Severe Reflux?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2020 Feb;271(2):257-265. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003275.
PubMed 30921053Assalia A, Gagner M, Nedelcu M, Ramos AC, Nocca D. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Results of the First International Consensus Conference. Obes Surg. 2020 Oct;30(10):3695-3705. doi: 10.1007/s11695-020-04749-0. Epub 2020 Jun 12.
PubMed 32533520Sgouros SN, Mpakos D, Rodias M, Vassiliades K, Karakoidas C, Andrikopoulos E, Stefanidis G, Mantides A. Prevalence and axial length of hiatus hernia in patients, with nonerosive reflux disease: a prospective study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2007 Oct;41(9):814-8. doi: 10.1097/01.mcg.0000225678.99346.65.
PubMed 17881926Hansdotter I, Bjor O, Andreasson A, Agreus L, Hellstrom P, Forsberg A, Talley NJ, Vieth M, Wallner B. Hill classification is superior to the axial length of a hiatal hernia for assessment of the mechanical anti-reflux barrier at the gastroesophageal junction. Endosc Int Open. 2016 Mar;4(3):E311-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-101021. Epub 2016 Feb 10.
PubMed 27004249Hill LD, Kozarek RA, Kraemer SJ, Aye RW, Mercer CD, Low DE, Pope CE 2nd. The gastroesophageal flap valve: in vitro and in vivo observations. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996 Nov;44(5):541-7. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5107(96)70006-8.
PubMed 8934159Mahawar KK, Carr WR, Jennings N, Balupuri S, Small PK. Simultaneous sleeve gastrectomy and hiatus hernia repair: a systematic review. Obes Surg. 2015 Jan;25(1):159-66. doi: 10.1007/s11695-014-1470-0.
PubMed 25348434Snyder B, Wilson E, Wilson T, Mehta S, Bajwa K, Klein C. A randomized trial comparing reflux symptoms in sleeve gastrectomy patients with or without hiatal hernia repair. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2016 Nov;12(9):1681-1688. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.09.004. Epub 2016 Sep 14.
PubMed 27989522Holloway RH. The anti-reflux barrier and mechanisms of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2000 Oct;14(5):681-99. doi: 10.1053/bega.2000.0118.
PubMed 11003803Thor KB, Hill LD, Mercer DD, Kozarek RD. Reappraisal of the flap valve mechanism in the gastroesophageal junction. A study of a new valvuloplasty procedure in cadavers. Acta Chir Scand. 1987 Jan;153(1):25-8.
PubMed 3577567Navarini D, Madalosso CAS, Tognon AP, Fornari F, Barao FR, Gurski RR. Predictive Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Bariatric Surgery: a Controlled Trial Comparing Sleeve Gastrectomy with Gastric Bypass. Obes Surg. 2020 Apr;30(4):1360-1367. doi: 10.1007/s11695-019-04286-5.
PubMed 32030616Chue KM, Toh BC, Ong LWL, Kariyawasam GM, Wong WK, Lim CH, Tan JTH, Yeung BPM. Rationale and Trial Protocol for a Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial to assess the Impact of a Concomitant Crural Repair during Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Patients with a Lax Gastroesophageal Junction without Frank Hiatal Hernia (REPAIR trial protocol). Eur Surg Res. 2024 Feb 27. doi: 10.1159/000538043. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 38412840
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Apr 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating PAtients With Lax Gastroesophageal Junction to Initial Sleeve Gastrectomy With or Without Concomitant Crural Repair (REPAIR)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05330910
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REPAIR / 2022/2028
- Keywords
- Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sengkang General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Singapore General Hospital
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Background:
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the commonest bariatric procedures. However, it is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). The investigators' preliminary study suggests that the incidence of postoperative GERD and EE appears to be correlated with the preoperative presence of a lax gastroesophageal flap valve and hiatal hernia.
Hypothesis/ Aim:
To investigate the impact of a concomitant hiatal hernia repair with LSG on the incidence of postoperative EE.
Significance:
For patients with pre-existing EE, most surgeons will recommend a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) as their primary bariatric procedure. However, compared to LSG, LRYGB is a technically more demanding procedure with increased morbidity and long term nutritional deficiencies. For asymptomatic patients at risk of postoperative EE due to presence of a hiatal hernia, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate bariatric surgical option. A LSG with a concomitant hiatal hernia repair, if shown to reduce EE postoperatively, may help to expand the pool of patients suitable for LSG in the future.
Methods:
A two center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial of all patients, undergoing LSG with a preoperative diagnosis of a Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction, will be randomized to having a concomitant hiatal hernia repair (experimental arm) versus just LSG alone (control arm). Primary outcome measures include 1-year postoperative EE on endoscopy. Secondary outcome measures include postoperative morbidity, blood loss, quality of life and GERD symptoms at 1-year postoperatively.
Detailed description
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most common bariatric procedures performed worldwide, accounting for more than 50% of all bariatric procedures, and with respectable weight loss and metabolic benefits which are comparable to the gold standard laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, one of the main disadvantages of LSG is its tendency to cause post-operative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE).
To date, it is widely accepted that LSG should be avoided for patients with underlying GERD or EE. However, there is no consensus for asymptomatic patients, including those with an underlying hiatal hernia, which is known to predispose to GERD.
Currently, the two commonly employed methods for endoscopic classification of a hiatal hernia are via its axial length, or by grading the gastroesophageal flap valve, better known as the Hill's classification system.
Multiple retrospective cohort studies have documented a reduction in postoperative GERD following a concomitant LSG with a hiatal hernia repair, in patients with a preoperative diagnosed hiatal hernia. However, to date, there is only one randomized controlled trial which compared the efficacy of concomitant LSG with or without a concomitant hiatal hernia repair. Of the 100 patients, the trial did not report any differences in the incidence of postoperative GERD between the 2 groups. However, the trial had several limitations. Firstly, it included patients with no underlying hiatal hernia. In fact, of the 100 patients, 25 of them have no underlying hiatal hernia, thus may favour the outcome towards the null hypothesis. Subsequently, though the study attempted to randomize participants, while most baseline characteristics are well randomized, the most crucial element in the study, which was the length of the hiatal hernia, was significantly different between the 2 groups. Thirdly, the primary outcome was a subjective score via the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Lastly, assessment of the presence of a hiatal hernia via the axial length is known to be operator-dependent, as well as subject to changes between inspiration and expiration, which can make its assessment less objective.
The investigators' propose using the alternative classification system for grading a hiatal hernia, called the Hill's classification system, to determine the preoperative hiatal laxity of the gastroesophageal flap valve, to determine which patients will likely benefit from a LSG with a concomitant hiatal hernia repair. The system, first introduced by Hill et al in 1996, was derived from an observational study of 13 cadavers to determine the presence of an anti-reflux valve and hiatal hernia. In the absence of a hiatal hernia, the angle of His, defined as the acute angulation along the greater curve of the stomach where the esophagus enters the stomach, creates a flap valve mechanism. This laxity of this flap valve varies and can be objectively graded based on the Hill's classification. This classification has been shown to be superior to the axial measurement of a hiatal hernia in the endoscopic assessment of the gastroesophageal junction and its association with GERD.
The Hill's classification system is much more objective. The grade III gastroesophageal junction is easily and objectively assessed, with little inter-observer variability, by the presence of a failure of closure of the endoscope around the hiatus. Unlike patients with Hill's grade IV gastroesophageal junction with a frank hiatal hernia, these patients with a grade III gastroesophageal junction mainly have a lax junction, with at most a physiological (<3cm) hiatal hernia on axial length.
Thus, this study proposes using the Hill's classification system to assess the efficacy of a concomitant crural repair with LSG in patients with a lax gastroesophageal flap valve. The investigators' hypothesize that a select group of patients with an underlying lax gastroesophageal junction may benefit from a concomitant crural repair with LSG. This group of patients, with grade III gastroesophageal junction, who have a lax hiatus and a small or physiological hiatal hernia, may potentially the only patient group that may benefit from a laparoscopic hiatal hernia or crural repair.
Study design:
This study will be a double institution, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, involving surgeons from the Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Service, Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) as well as the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Study population:
Eligible patients will come from patients visiting the bariatric surgery consultation clinic from both SKH and SGH. Patients that are deemed eligible for bariatric surgery will always undergo a routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy as part of standard preoperative evaluation. Patients found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy preoperatively to have a Hill's grade 3 gastroesophageal flap valve, with no evidence of EE will then be recruited.
Included patients should be patients aged between 21-65 years old, able to provide informed consent, with Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction, that have opted to undergo LSG.
Excluded patients will include patients who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent, with contraindications to LSG, who have opted not for LSG, who had previous upper gastrointestinal surgery, who have preoperative documented EE on endoscopy, who are graded Hill's grade I, II or IV gastroesophageal junction on retroflexion view of the endoscope with the stomach fully distended.
Randomization:
Patients will be blinded to their randomization allocation. Their allocation will only be made known should there be any adverse event, as per ethical guidelines, or after their end of 1-year follow-up.
Outcome measures:
Primary outcome measures will be presence of EE at the end of their 1-year follow-up after 1-year endoscopy. Secondary outcome measures will include any differences in SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, differences in their Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, as well as a Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This study will be a double institution, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, involving surgeons from the Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Service, Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) as well as the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Randomization will be performed by block randomization, with each block of 4. Block randomization was selected given the small study size, to ensure equal representation in both arms of the study.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm | Active comparator | Procedure: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy armSurgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. |
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with hiatal hernia repair arm | Experimental | Procedure: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair armSurgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. A hiatal dissection will also be performed during initial surgery, followed by a cruroplasty with Ethibon 0 sutures, in an interrupted manner. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 21-65 years old
- Able to provide informed consent
- Hill's grade III gastroesophageal junction on preoperative endoscopy
- Opted to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as their bariatric procedure
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
- Contraindications to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Opted not to undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Had previous upper gastrointestinal surgery
- Had documented erosive esophagitis on preoperative endoscopy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair armAlso: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant crural repair arm, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant cruroplasty armSurgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. A hiatal dissection will also be performed during initial surgery, followed by a cruroplasty with Ethibon 0 sutures, in an interrupted manner. | Procedure or surgery | Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with hiatal hernia repair arm |
| Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy armAlso: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy aloneSurgical technique will be standardized and will be performed by the study team. The bougie size for the LSG will be 40Fr, and a standard 5-port LSG will be performed. Standard protocolized postoperative recovery for all bariatric patients will be employed, including liquid diet with vitamins for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, followed by introduction of solid foods after. | Procedure or surgery | Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm |
Primary outcome
Presence or absence of post-operative erosive esophagitis
Time frame: 1-year
Presence or absence of erosive esophagitis on endoscopy
Degree of Post-operative erosive esophagitis
Time frame: 1-year
Grading of erosive esophagitis on endoscopy, noted as absent, or grade A, B, C or D (based on the Los Angeles classification)
4 secondary outcomes
General Quality of Life Scores
Time frame: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms
Time frame: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Dysphagia symptoms
Time frame: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Gastrointestinal reflux disease specific quality of life scores
Time frame: 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 1-year
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Apr 2022.
- Background: PubMed 27849660Berger ER, Huffman KM, Fraker T, Petrick AT, Brethauer SA, Hall BL, Ko CY, Morton JM. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bariatric Surgery Readmissions: Findings From 130,007 Admissions in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Ann Surg. 2018 Jan;267(1):122-131. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002079.
- Background: PubMed 29340679Peterli R, Wolnerhanssen BK, Peters T, Vetter D, Kroll D, Borbely Y, Schultes B, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Schiesser M, Nett P, Bueter M. Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss in Patients With Morbid Obesity: The SM-BOSS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018 Jan 16;319(3):255-265. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.20897.
- Background: PubMed 29340676Salminen P, Helmio M, Ovaska J, Juuti A, Leivonen M, Peromaa-Haavisto P, Hurme S, Soinio M, Nuutila P, Victorzon M. Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss at 5 Years Among Patients With Morbid Obesity: The SLEEVEPASS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2018 Jan 16;319(3):241-254. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.20313.
- Background: PubMed 30921053Yeung KTD, Penney N, Ashrafian L, Darzi A, Ashrafian H. Does Sleeve Gastrectomy Expose the Distal Esophagus to Severe Reflux?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2020 Feb;271(2):257-265. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003275.
- Background: PubMed 32533520Assalia A, Gagner M, Nedelcu M, Ramos AC, Nocca D. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Results of the First International Consensus Conference. Obes Surg. 2020 Oct;30(10):3695-3705. doi: 10.1007/s11695-020-04749-0. Epub 2020 Jun 12.
- Background: PubMed 17881926Sgouros SN, Mpakos D, Rodias M, Vassiliades K, Karakoidas C, Andrikopoulos E, Stefanidis G, Mantides A. Prevalence and axial length of hiatus hernia in patients, with nonerosive reflux disease: a prospective study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2007 Oct;41(9):814-8. doi: 10.1097/01.mcg.0000225678.99346.65.
- Background: PubMed 27004249Hansdotter I, Bjor O, Andreasson A, Agreus L, Hellstrom P, Forsberg A, Talley NJ, Vieth M, Wallner B. Hill classification is superior to the axial length of a hiatal hernia for assessment of the mechanical anti-reflux barrier at the gastroesophageal junction. Endosc Int Open. 2016 Mar;4(3):E311-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-101021. Epub 2016 Feb 10.
- Background: PubMed 8934159Hill LD, Kozarek RA, Kraemer SJ, Aye RW, Mercer CD, Low DE, Pope CE 2nd. The gastroesophageal flap valve: in vitro and in vivo observations. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996 Nov;44(5):541-7. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5107(96)70006-8.
- Background: PubMed 25348434Mahawar KK, Carr WR, Jennings N, Balupuri S, Small PK. Simultaneous sleeve gastrectomy and hiatus hernia repair: a systematic review. Obes Surg. 2015 Jan;25(1):159-66. doi: 10.1007/s11695-014-1470-0.
- Background: PubMed 27989522Snyder B, Wilson E, Wilson T, Mehta S, Bajwa K, Klein C. A randomized trial comparing reflux symptoms in sleeve gastrectomy patients with or without hiatal hernia repair. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2016 Nov;12(9):1681-1688. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.09.004. Epub 2016 Sep 14.
- Background: PubMed 11003803Holloway RH. The anti-reflux barrier and mechanisms of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2000 Oct;14(5):681-99. doi: 10.1053/bega.2000.0118.
- Background: PubMed 3577567Thor KB, Hill LD, Mercer DD, Kozarek RD. Reappraisal of the flap valve mechanism in the gastroesophageal junction. A study of a new valvuloplasty procedure in cadavers. Acta Chir Scand. 1987 Jan;153(1):25-8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Unless there is Institutional Ethics Board approval and patient consent
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Baldwin Po Man Yeung, MBChB, FRCS principal investigator
Sengkang General Hospital
Jeremy Tian Hui Tan, MBBS, FRACS principal investigator
Singapore General Hospital
Koy Min Chue, MBBS, FRCSEd principal investigator
Sengkang General Hospital
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant hiatal hernia repair arm and Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy arm in people with Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Candidate, run by Sengkang General Hospital at 2 sites in Singapore.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Singapore. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Koy Min Chue, MBBS, FRCSEd (+65 91196091, chuekoymin@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Presence or absence of post-operative erosive esophagitis (time frame: 1-year). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05330910, which also lists 14 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2022.