New surgical method to reduce acid reflux after weight loss surgery
Official title: Mechanistic and clinical outcomes of a surgical innovation aimed at minimizing GERD associated with vertical sleeve gastrectomy (INNOVATE-VSG)
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11050836 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of weight loss surgery that aims to help people with obesity who also struggle with acid reflux, to see if it can reduce their reflux symptoms while helping them lose weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $314,827 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK138047-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050836 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a BMI between 30 and 50 kg/m² who are considering bariatric surgery and may have existing GERD or are at risk for developing it.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking weight loss surgery or have a BMI outside the 30-50 kg/m² range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a modified version of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (mVSG) aimed at reducing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can occur after conventional weight loss surgery. The study will involve a randomized clinical trial with 40 participants who have a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 50 kg/m². The approach focuses on preserving important anatomical structures during surgery to minimize the risk of GERD. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess the effectiveness of this new surgical technique.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of GERD in patients undergoing weight loss surgery, improving their overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Similar surgical innovations have shown promise in reducing GERD symptoms, but this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Ninh T — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Ninh T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
A safer sleeve surgery to reduce reflux after weight-loss surgery
A new version of vertical sleeve gastrectomy is being tested to lower the chance of acid reflux and reduce the risk of Barrett’s esophagus in people considering or having weight-loss surgery.
-
Surgical technique to reduce acid reflux after sleeve gastrectomy
This trial tests a modified sleeve gastrectomy designed to lower new or worsening acid reflux in adults with obesity who are having bariatric surgery.
-
Omega PF device: a new, easier surgical option for drug-resistant GERD
A new medical device aims to replace complicated GERD surgery with a simpler, safer procedure for people whose reflux isn’t controlled by medicines.
-
Pathophysiology-based GERD management in NICU infants guided by pH-impedance testing
A NICU randomized trial tests how newborns with suspected GERD respond to standard care, acid-suppressing therapy, or thicker feeds guided by objective pH-impedance tests.
-
Reducing over-alertness and stress responses that worsen acid reflux
This work tests whether calming excessive vigilance and automatic stress reactions can help adults with GERD have fewer symptoms and better quality of life.
-
Repurposing Fosamprenavir to Help Older Adults with GERD
A clinician-scientist team is testing a repurposed HIV drug, fosamprenavir, combined with sodium alginate, to relieve persistent GERD symptoms in older adults who don’t respond well to standard acid-suppressing therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.