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Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y (LRYGB) gastric bypass is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Acid-related complications after LRYGB could be prevented by prophylactic proton pump inhibition (PPI).

Objective: To identify the effect of PPI prophylaxis on short-term, acid-related complications in a large cohort.

Setting: National Registry, Sweden.

Methods: A total of 37,301 patients who underwent LRYGB in Sweden from 2009 to 2014 were identified in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Patient-specific factors were cross matched with socioeconomic variables and information on PPI dispensation. A logistic regression model was used to analyze acid-related complications (e.g., marginal ulcer, stricture, and perforation) within 30 days and at 1 year postoperatively.

Results: PPI prophylaxis did not reduce the rate of acid-related complications. Instead, prolonged operation time (odds ratio [OR] 2.19 [1.53–3.13]) and immigrant background (OR 1.72 [1.17–2.53]) increased the risk of marginal ulcer within 30 days. At 1 year, medical treatment for diabetes (OR 1.75 [1.14–2.67]) and dyspepsia (OR 1.71 [1.06–2.75]), larger gastric pouch (OR 2.19 [1.528–3.248]), longer operation time (OR 1.67 [1.11–2.51]), smoking (OR 2.59 [1.77–3.78]), and immigrant background (OR 1.60 [1.08–2.36]) increased the risk for marginal ulcer, while older age (OR 2.20 [1.05–4.63]) predisposed for stricture. Inferior weight loss was associated with marginal ulcer at 1 year (OR 1.50 [1.04–2.15]).

Conclusion: PPI prophylaxis did not reduce the risk for marginal ulcer and stricture. The risk for these complications was increased by several co-morbidities, smoking, immigrant background, and surgical factors. Routine use of PPI prophylaxis cannot be recommended, but smoking cessation and optimal surgery could be important.