Functional importance of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with morbid obesity.

Background: Obesity is characterized by excess body fat measured in body mass index (BMI), which is the weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the height in square meters [m(2)]. In the Northern Hemisphere, the prevalence of overweight has increased by up to 34%. This situation is associated with high incidence of comorbidities such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.