Preoperative bariatric screening and treatment of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Background: A preoperative screening and treatment program for pre-existing H. pylori infections was hypothesized to reduce postoperative bariatric complications and associated morbidity as the role of H. pylori in gastrointestinal symptomatology and peptic ulcer disease is well established.

Methods: A single-institution, single-surgeon, IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was performed. It included 183 consecutive patients who underwent an initial laparoscopic gastric bypass over a 40-month period from December 2003 to April 2006. The patients were divided into a H. pylori untested group (125 patients) and a tested and treated if indicated group (58 patients). Patient demographics and incidence of hospital re-admissions, GI ulceration and bleeding, perforated viscus, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and foregut symptoms were documented at routine follow-up and emergency room visits. Results were subjected to analysis with Fisher's exact test.

Results: Seven patients (12%) in the tested group were positive for H. pylori and treated. The number of GI ulcers and bleeding, EGDs, ER visits, and hospital re-admissions were not statistically different between groups; however, in the untested group, six patients (5%) presented with viscus perforation compared with none in the tested and treated group (p = 0.09). Demographics for both groups were similar and both had a large number of nonspecific foregut symptoms.

Conclusion: Preoperative H. pylori screening should continue, especially in geographically high-prevalence areas, as data suggest that the incidence of viscus perforation may be reduced with preoperative treatment if indicated.