title: Simultaneous laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair and sleeve gastrectomy in the morbidly obese.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morbid obesity is associated with increased rates of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is gaining popularity as the procedure of choice for morbid obesity, there is little data regarding the management of paraesophageal hernias found intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a combined sleeve gastrectomy and paraesophageal hernia repair in morbidly obese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2011 to February 2013, 23 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with the repair of a paraesophageal hernia. Only 4 patients had a large hiatal hernia documented preoperatively on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The body mass index (BMI), operative time, length of stay, and complications were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average operative time was 165 minutes (115-240 minutes) and length of stay was 2.83 days (2-6 days). All patients were female except for one, with an average age of 53.4 years and a BMI of 41.9 kg/m(2). There were no complications during the procedures. Mean follow-up was 6.16 months (1-19 months), and mean excess weight loss was 39%. The average cost of admission for a combined procedure ($10,056), was slightly higher than a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy ($8905) or laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair ($8954) done separately.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with a paraesophageal hernia repair is well-tolerated and feasible in morbidly obese patients. Surgeons should be aware that preoperative EGD is not effective at diagnosing large hiatal or paraesophageal hernias. Surgeons with the skill set to repair paraesophageal hernias should do a combined procedure because it is well-tolerated, feasible, and can reduce the cost of multiple hospital admissions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey. Electronic address: dpham@barnabashealth.org.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Protyniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Binenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Squillaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Borao
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; adjustable gastric band; bariatric surgery; hiatal hernia; hiatal hernia repair; obesity; paraesophageal hernia; paraesophageal hernia repair