Esophageal Complications of Bariatric Procedures

Over the last three decades bariatric surgery moved from open to laparoscopic procedures, with all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. All existing restrictive bariatric procedures may affect the esophagus over time, with the possibility of mild or sometimes severe complications.

Depending on the procedure performed, the esophagus can be affected minimally or severely. The gold standard of bariatric surgery is still the laparoscopic Roux en-Y gastric bypass. Despite the rise of the gastric sleeve, the gastric bypass is still one of the most favored bariatric procedures, and because of its low side-effect profile, with low mortality and morbidity, many bariatric surgeons consider it the preferred treatment option. Although the gastric bypass has little or no effect on the esophagus—it is even described as a protective procedure regarding problems with reflux and acid exposure—other restrictive procedures have a high potential for leading to esophageal complications.