Modified Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy for the Diagnosis of Bile Reflux in One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Surgery: a Prospective Multicenter Study

Purpose: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a relatively simple surgical procedure for those afflicted with severe obesity. Studies reported symptomatic biliary reflux gastritis and esophagitis as predominant complications. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HIDA) is the least invasive test for the diagnosis of bile reflux, with good sensitivity, patient tolerability, and reproducibility. The aim of this study was to define an optimized HIDA scintigraphy protocol for demonstrating bile reflux in post-OAGB patients. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter study. Patients after OAGB with dyspeptic complaints were included. All patients underwent HIDA scan with a dedicated protocol for demonstrating bile reflux; prevalence and severity were reported. Results: Nineteen patients were included, 18 females and one male, with mean age of 41.8 years and mean time of 22.4 months from operation to the scan. Bile reflux into the gastric pouch was documented in 11 patients (53%). Reflux to the stomach pouch was severe in three patients (27%), moderate in two patients (18%), and mild in six patients (55%). Bile reflux into the esophagus was documented in four patients (21%), severe reflux in one patient (25%), and mild in the other three (75%). A correlation was found between complaints of vomiting, heartburn and regurgitation, and findings of esophagitis on gastroscopy in patients with vs. without reflux. Conclusions: The tailored HIDA scan protocol detected bile reflux in more than half of the post-OAGB patients included in the study, with a high diagnostic sensitivity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].