Braun Anastomosis: A Technique for Bile Reflux Improvement After Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal (SASI) Bypass; a Pilot Study.

Background. Single anastomotic surgeries can increase the risk of reflux, marginal ulceration, and gastrointestinal complications. Braun anastomosis prevents bile reflux after gastric resection and gastrojejunal anastomosis surgeries. The present pilot study evaluated Braun's efficacy in a single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass surgery.Methods. 28 patients with a history of SASI bypass surgery from October 2017 to September 2021 were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on having Braun anastomosis to this surgical procedure; group A: underwent SASI bypass without Braun anastomosis; group B: underwent SASI bypass with Braun anastomosis. The surgical complications in terms of bile reflux, marginal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, and gastritis were evaluated and compared between the groups. Results. Bile reflux and reflux esophagitis were seen more in group A than in group B (37.5% vs 8.3% and 18.8% vs 8.3%, respectively). In contrast, 2 patients (16.7%) in group B had marginal ulcers compared to 1 (6.3%) in group A. Also, gastritis was seen in 1 patient in each group (6.3% in group A vs 8.3% in group B). However, the differences were not statistically different. Conclusions. Braun anastomosis is probably an effective procedure to reduce bile reflux, a concern of SASI bypass. Besides, further studies with a larger study population are needed.