Neither low-calorie diet nor vertical banded gastroplasty influence gastro-oesophageal reflux in morbidly obese patients.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the effect of a liquid diet, and of vertical banded gastroplasty, on gastro-oesophageal reflux in morbidly obese patients.

DESIGN

Prospective study, patients being their own controls.

SETTING

University hospital, Sweden.

SUBJECTS: 25 morbidly obese patients, listed for vertical banded gastroplasty.

INTERVENTIONS: 24 hour ambulatory intra-oesophageal pH-monitoring three weeks before operation and repeated after 10-14 days on a liquid very low calorie diet, and finally three weeks after operation, while still on a liquid very low calorie diet.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of time that pH in the oesophagus was < or =4.

RESULTS

There were no changes in the amount of reflux, either after a liquid diet or after vertical banded gastroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither the liquid diet nor vertical banded gastroplasty alone had any appreciable effect on gastro-oesophageal reflux.