Patterns of success and failure with laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication

Background: Advocates of the Toupet partial fundoplication claim that the procedure has a lower rate of the side effects of dysphagia and gas bloat than a complete Nissen fundoplication. However, there is increasing recognition that reflux control is not always as good with the Toupet procedure as with the Nissen. Therefore, we set out to evaluate the factors contributing to success and failure in patients who underwent laparoscopic modified Toupet fundoplication (LTF). Methods: A total of 143 patients undergoing LTF for documented gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were evaluated prospectively in regard to their outcomes over a 4-year period. All patients had preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and manometry; 24-h pH testing was used selectively. Esophageal manometry was requested of all patients 6 weeks postoperatively. Clinical follow-up was by office visit or questionnaire every 6 months after surgery; patients with significant problems were investigated further. Failure was defined as the development of recurrent reflux documented by endoscopy, 24-h pH test, or wrap disruption on barium swallow, or severe dysphagia persisting >3 months and requiring surgical revision. Results: At a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 3–51), 21 of 143 patients failed LTF; two had dysphagia and 19 had recurrent reflux. Failure was associated with preoperative findings of a defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (14/21), complicated esophagitis (13/21), and failure to divide short gastric vessels (12/19) (chi-square p < 0.05). Defective esophageal body peristalsis, present in 14 patients, resulted in failure in six cases. Presence of either complicated esophagitis or a defective LES was associated with a 3-year 50% success rate, whereas presence of mild esophagitis and a normal LES was reflected in a 96% 3-year success rate. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication should be reserved for milder cases of GERD, as assessed by manometry and endoscopy. Received: 29 June 1998/Accepted: 2 July 1999     

Resolving gastroesophageal reflux with laparoscopic fundoplication

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of 138 cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease resolved laparoscopically with the Rossetti modification of the Nissen fundoplication and to compare them with findings from other studies in an effort to evaluate the procedure's ability to transfer from an academic setting to a community hospital setting. Methods: We performed laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on 138 patients and followed them for up to 45 months. Measures included postoperative reflux persistence, complications, operating time, length of hospital stay, and others. These findings were compared, using the Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, and the two-sample t-test, with results from other studies using open and laparoscopic procedures. Results: No patient undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication experienced gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Complications, not statistically significantly different from those in other studies, occurred in 15 (10.9%), and conversion to an open procedure was required in two (1.5%). The most common postoperative complaint has been dysphagia (21.7%). Operative time averaged 70.6 min, decreasing from an average of 236 min for the first 10 cases to 40.8 min for the last 10. This measure was statistically significantly lower than all other operative times to which it was compared, except one to which it was almost identical (69.9 min). Length of stay (LOS) averaged 2.3 days, ranging from a low of 7 h to a high of 9 days, which made it fall well within limits set by other studies. Overall, LOS fell from a 3.0-day average for the first 20 cases to a 1.9-day average for the last 20 cases. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication resolved gastroesophageal reflux in all 138 patients, and measures for complications, operating time, and LOS were well within values reported by other studies, indicating the ability of this procedure to be successfully transferred from academic medical centers to the community hospital setting. Received: 7 October 1996/Accepted: 14 May 1997     

Quality of life and symptomatic outcome three to five years after laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with impaired esophageal motility

BACKGROUND: Many centers practice a tailored approach to laparoscopic antireflux surgery in attempt to prevent postoperative side effects in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with an impaired esophageal motility. As a result of controversial findings reported in literature no worldwide accepted consensus exists regarding the appropriate indication for this tailored approach. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate quality of life and symptomatic outcome in selected patients for a follow-up of 3 to 5 years. METHODS: A total of 155 patients with esophageal dismotility underwent laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF). Basic requirements for surgery included in all patients a detailed evaluation of symptoms and quality of life (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index [GIQLI]), esophagogastroduodenoscopy, 24-hour pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry. Patients were evaluated 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, and 3 to 5 years after LTF. RESULTS: GERD-related symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, or chest pain showed a significant improvement (P <0.05 to 0.001) in all gradings immediately after surgery. During the complete follow-up, a total of 4 patients (2.6%) required laparoscopic redo surgery because of recurrent GERD symptoms. Two patients (1.3%) were adequately maintained on short-term proton pump inhibitor therapy because of mild symptoms. All these patients have shown a pathological DeMeester score within the early period after surgery (3 months or 1 year control). Severe and persistent side effects have been present in 7 patients (4.5%), mild to moderate side effects in 11 patients (7.1%). Other side effects have been temporary and resolved spontaneously. GIQLI improved significantly (P <0.05 to 0.01) in all dimensions and persisted for at least 5 years with mean values comparable with healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: LTF is effective, well tolerated, and improves quality of life, improving long-term outcome with an acceptable rate of long-term side effects in GERD patients with moderate to severe esophageal dismotility for a follow-up period of 3 to 5 years.     

A prospective multicenter study on laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Italy

Background: A national survey was undertaken by the Italian Society for Laparoscopic Surgery to investigate the prevalence, indications, conversion rate, mortality, morbidity, and early results of laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Methods: Beginning on January 1, 1996, all of the centers taking part in this study were asked to complete a questionnaire on each patient. The questionnaire was divided into four parts and covered such areas as indications for surgery and preoperative workup, type of operation performed and certain aspects of the surgical technique, conversions and their causes, intraoperative and postoperative complications (within 4 weeks), and details of the postoperative course. The last part of the questionnaire focused on the follow-up period and was designed to gather data on recurrence of preoperative symptoms, postoperative symptoms (dysphagia, gas bloat), and postoperative test findings. Results: As of June 30 1998, 21 centers were taking part in the study and 621 patients were enrolled, with a median of 27 patients per center (less than one patient/month). The most popular technique was the Nissen-Rossetti (52%), followed by the Nissen (33%) and Toupet procedures (13%). Other techniques, such as the Dor and Lortat-Jacob, were used in the remainder of cases. Patients who received a Toupet procedure had a higher incidence of defective peristalsis (p < 0.05). The conversion rate to open surgery was 2.9%. The most common causes of conversion were inability to reduce the hiatus hernia or distal esophagus in the abdomen and adhesions from previous surgery. Perforation of the stomach and esophagus occurred in <1% of patients. Mortality was nil. Postoperative complications were observed in 7.3% of cases. The most common complication was acute dysphagia (19 patients), which required reoperation in 10 patients. No differences in the incidence of acute dysphagia were found for the different surgical techniques employed. Follow-up data were obtained for 319 patients (53%): 91.5% of the patients remained GERD symptom–free; severe esophagitis (grade 2–3) healed in 95% of the patients; lower esophageal sphincter (LES) manometric characteristics (pressure, abdominal length, and overall length) improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.005); and acid exposure of the distal esophagus decreased. Conclusions: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery has no mortality and a low morbidity. Symptoms and esophagitis are resolved in >90% of patients. Despite these favorable results, however, this type of surgery is not yet as widely employed in Italy as in other countries. Received: 12 February 1999/Accepted: 8 June 1999     

Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty as a method to treat gastroesophageal reflux without fundoplication: single-center experience with 306 consecutive patients

Background

Laparoscopic fundoplication represents the surgical standard treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, because of persisting side effects the method is not without controversy. Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty might be an alternative.

Methods

In 306 consecutive patients the perioperative course and symptomatic outcome was analyzed after a mean follow-up period of 52 months.

Results

The mean DeMeester symptom score decreased from 5.3 to 2.0 (P < .001). Acid-suppressive therapy on a regular basis was discontinued in 79% of patients. The gas bloating value decreased from .7 to .5 (P = .031), and the dysphagia value increased from .5 to .9 (P < .001). Belching and vomiting were possible in 93% and 88% of patients, respectively. Mesh-related complications with the need for reoperation occurred in 1% of patients.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty is safe and does have an antireflux effect even without fundoplication. Side effects seem to be reasonable.     

Nissen and Toupet fundoplications effectively inhibit gastroesophageal reflux irrespective of natural anatomy and function

Background: The physiology of Nissen fundoplication (NF) and Toupet fundoplication (TF) is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of elevated intragastric pressure to the antireflux mechanism after surgically created fundoplication in explanted porcine stomachs. Methods: The stomachs and 6–8 cm of distal esophagus were removed from 15 pigs and placed in anatomic position. Five NF, 2 cm in length with three interrupted sutures, were performed, taking full-thickness bites of stomach and partial-thickness bites of esophagus around a 60 French dilator. Five 270° TF 2 cm in length with six interrupted sutures were performed taking full-thickness bites of stomach and partial-thickness bites of esophagus around a 60 French dilator. Each stomach served as its own control. The pylorus was tied off and the stomach was inflated with Ringer's lactate while the pressure was monitored. Results: Before NF, reflux could be easily induced with a mean intragastric pressure of 5.5 ± 3.7 mmHg. After NF reflux could not be induced but the sutures pulled out of the stomach at a mean pressure of 36.8 ± 11.7 mmHg (p < 0.01 vs control). Before TF, reflux could easily be induced with a mean intragastric pressure of 3.0 ± 3.0 mmHg. After TF, reflux could not be induced and the sutures pulled out of the esophagus or stomach with a mean pressure of 30.8 ± 9.0 mmHg (p < 0.01 vs control). Porcine stomachs in vivo are resistant to reflux, but when explanted they reflux easily. NF and TF are so effective at interrupting reflux that the sutures tear out instead of allowing reflux. Conclusions: While not yet statistically significant, it appears that sutures tear out of the esophagus (TF) more readily than they tear out of the stomach (NF). TF and NF prevent reflux in the absence of anatomic or functional components of the lower esophageal sphincter.     

腹腔镜Nissen与Toupet胃底折叠术式治疗胃食管反流病疗效比较的Meta分析

目的比较腹腔镜Nissen手术与Toupet手术在治疗胃食管反流病的疗效以及术后并发症的发生率。方法通过Pubmed,Medline,Embase以及Cochrane图书馆数据库进行文献检索,用Nissen,Toupet,fundoplication[Mesh]为关键词,仅将比较腹腔镜Nissen以及Toupet两种手术方式的随机对照研究纳入本研究,分别统计两组患者在术后早期（3-6个月）以及术后晚期（1。3年）的烧心、反酸、吞咽困难、胸痛、腹胀、不能打嗝、腹泻、术后早期并发症的发生率及满意度等。结果在纳入本研究的7个随机对照研究总计939例患者中．腹腔镜Nissen手术478例,腹腔镜Toupet手术461例。两组患者的反流症状均得到了良好的控制．术后烧心的发生率差异无统计学意义（DR：1．01,95％CI：0．48。2．13,P=0．97）。尽管Toupet组在术后早期及晚期吞咽困难的发生率显著低于Nissen组（OR=3．34,95％CI：2．22-5．02,P〈0．01）,但前者术后早期并发症的发生率显著高于后者（OR=O．31,95％CI：0．11-0．93,P=0．04）;而两组患者术后远期满意度差异无统计学意义（OR=0．98,95％CI：0．61-1．56。P=0．92）。结论腹腔镜Nissen及Toupet手术均为安全有效的手术方式。选择哪种术式可根据患者情况及外科医生自身技术和经验而定。     

Laparoscopic vs conventional Nissen fundoplication

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has gained wide acceptance among surgeons, but the results of the laparoscopic procedure have not been compared to the results of an open fundoplication in a randomized study. Methods: Some 110 consecutive patients with prolonged symptoms of grade II–IV esophagitis were randomized, 55 to laparoscopic (LAP) and 55 to an open (OPEN) Nissen fundoplication. Postoperative recovery, complications, and outcome at 3- and 12-month follow-up were compared in the two groups. Results: Five LAP operations were converted to open laparotomy due to esophageal perforation (two), technical difficulties (two), and bleeding (one). In the OPEN group (two) patients underwent splenectomy. There was no mortality. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 days in the LAP group and 6.4 in the OPEN group. Dysphagia and gas bloating were the most common complaints 3 months after the operation in both groups. These symptoms had disappeared at the 12-month follow-up examination. All patients in the LAP group and 86% in the OPEN group were satisfied with the result. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and feasible procedure. Complications are few and functional results are good if not better than those of conventional open surgery. Received: 15 May 1996/Accepted: 10 September 1996     

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in patients with nonerosive reflux disease

Background It is known that laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) can achieve an excellent surgical outcome including quality of life improvement in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; EGD-positive). Less is known about the long-term surgical outcome in GERD patients who have no evidence of esophagitis (EGD-negative) before surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome in a well-selected group of EGD-negative patients compared to that of EGD-positive patients.Methods From a large sample of more than 500 patients who underwent LARS, 89 EGD-negative patients (mean age, 51 ± 6 years; 56 males) were treated surgically because of persistent reflux-related symptoms despite medical therapy. In all cases, preoperative 24-h pH monitoring showed pathological values. To perform a comparative analysis, a matched sample of EGD-positive patients (mean age, 54 ± 10 years; 58 males) was selected from the database. Surgical outcome included for all patients objective data (e.g., manometry and pH data and endoscopy), quality of life evaluation [Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI)] symptom evaluation, as well as patients’ satisfaction with surgery. The data of a complete 5-year follow-up are available.Results There were no significant differences in symptomatic improvement, percentage of persistent surgical side-effects, or objective parameters. In general, patients’ satisfaction with surgery was comparable in both groups: 95% rated long-term outcome as excellent or good and would undergo surgical treatment again if necessary, respectively. Quality of life improvement was significantly better (p < 0.05) in the EGD-negative group because of the fact that GIQLI was more impaired before surgery (preoperative GIQLI, 81.7 ± 11.6 points/EGD-negative vs 93.8 ± 10.3 points/EGD-positive). Five years after surgery, GIQLI in both groups (121.2 ± 8.5 for EGD-negative vs 120.9 ± 7.3 for EGD-positive) showed comparable values to healthy controls (122.6 ± 8.5).Conclusion We suggest that LARS is an excellent treatment option for well-selected patients with persistent GERD-related symptoms who have no endoscopic evidence of esophagitis.Poster presented at the 11th International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery, Glasgow, 2003     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux after laparoscopic Heller myotomy

Background: There is still some controversy over the need for antireflux procedures with Heller myotomy in the treatment of achalasia. This study was undertaken in an effort to clarify this question. Methods: To determine whether Heller myotomy alone would cause significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER), we studied 16 patients who had undergone laparoscopic Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedures. Patients were asked to return for esophageal manometry and 24-h pH studies after giving informed consent for the Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study at a median follow-up time of 8.3 months (range, 3–51). Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Results: Fourteen of the 16 patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia after myotomy. They were subsequently studied with a 24-h pH probe and esophageal manometry. These 14 patients had a significant fall in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure from 41.4 ± 4.2 mmHg to 14.2 ± 1.3 mmHg, after the myotomy (p < 0.01, Student's t-test). The two patients who reported more dysphagia postoperatively had LES pressures of 20 and 25 mmHg, respectively. Two of 14 patients had DeMeester scores of >22 (scores = 61.8, 29.4), while only one patient had a pathologic total time of reflux (percent time of reflux, 8%). The mean percent time of reflux in the other 13 patients was 1.9 ± 0.6% (range, 0.1–4%), and the mean DeMeester score was 11.7 ± 4.6 (range, 0.48–19.7). Conclusions: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is effective for the relief of dysphagia in achalasia if the myotomy lowers the LES pressure to <17 mmHg. If performed without dissection of the entire esophagus, the laparoscopic Heller myotomy does not create significant GER in the postoperative period. Clearance of acid refluxate from the aperistaltic esophagus is an important component of the pathologic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) seen after Heller myotomy for achalasia. Furthermore, GERD symptoms do not correlate with objective measurement of GE reflux in patients with achalasia. Objective measurement of GERD with 24 h pH probes may be indicated to identify those patients with pathologic acid reflux who need additional medical treatment. Received: 12 May 1998/Accepted: 15 December 1998     

A comparison of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and Rossetti's modification in 239 patients

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and the Rossetti modification represent two different surgical approaches to resolving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Concerns have arisen that the Rossetti modification results in increased postoperative dysphagia. In this study, we compared a group of patients who underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a group who had undergone the Rossetti modification to determine if there was a significant difference in postoperative dysphagia. Additionally, we wanted to confirm that the Nissen procedure performed laparoscopically could resolve GERD as successfully as the Rossetti modification, with no difference in operative complications. Methods: We prospectively collected data on 101 patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and compared outcomes with those of 138 patients who had undergone the laparoscopic Rossetti modification in a previous series. Results: All patients experienced resolution of reflux symptoms. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of intraoperative or postoperative complications, conversions to open procedure, or length of hospitalization. Paradoxically, there was a significant difference in operating time between the Rossetti and the Nissen groups (70.6 min vs 45.6 min, p= 0.006). Postoperative dysphagia requiring dilation was significantly higher in the Rossetti group (21.7% vs 8.9%, p= 0.008). However, there was a significantly higher percentage of patients in the Rossetti group who had had esophagitis preoperatively (95.7% vs 86.1%, p= 0.009), although the proportion of patients having Barrett's esophagus was higher in the Nissen group (9.4% vs 24.8%, p= 0.001). Conclusions: Both approaches resolved reflux symptoms without significant differences in complications, conversions, or length of stay. Preoperative differences between groups, as well as the method of sequentially comparing the two different procedures, prevent us from attributing greater postoperative dysphagia in the Rossetti group solely to the choice of surgical approach. Prospective randomized studies are needed to control for variables, such as surgical team experience and patient differences. Online publication: 17 April 2000     

A simplified approach to laparoscopic fundoplication

Background: There is a certain amount of controversy regarding the need to divide the short gastric vessels (SGV) in laparoscopic fundoplication for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, there is often difficulty in identifying the crural fibers when encircling the lower esophagus. Methods: We determine whether it is necessary to divide the SGV by trying to appose the gastric fundus to the anterior abdominal wall intraoperatively. If this could be done easily, the SGV are preserved. When their division is required, a posterior gastric approach is employed. We have also found that the injection of methylene blue into the left crural fibers anterior to the esophagus is helpful in identifying the left side when dissection posterior to the gastroesophageal junction is difficult. Results: Between 1992 and 1995 we performed 20 laparoscopic fundoplications for GERD. All patients had at least grade 3 esophagitis (Savary-Miller scale), increased esophageal exposure to acid (median DeMeester score of 195), and decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. The median operative time was 175 min. There were no conversions to open surgery, and there was no mortality. Three patients developed transient postoperative dysphagia and one patient had pneumonia. The median hospital stay was 3 days; all patients were free of reflux symptoms at follow-up ranging from 7 to 42 months. Conclusion: We conclude that the techniques described by us aid in intraoperative decision making and allow laparoscopic fundoplication to be both simple and effective. Received: 29 March 1996/Accepted: 28 May 1996     

腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术治疗胃食管反流病安全性的Meta分析

目的评价腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术（LNF）治疗胃食管反流病（GERD）的安全性。方法计算机检索MEDLINE、EMBASE、PubMed、CBM、CNKI及Cochrane图书馆;手工检索有关中文杂志。纳入LNF与传统开腹Nissen底折叠术（ONF）治疗GERD的前瞻性随机对照试验（RCT）,用RevMan4．2．2软件进行统计分析。结果共纳入6个RCT,包括442例患者,无一例术后死亡病例,Meta分析结果显示,LNF与ONF相比手术并发症发生率低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论与ONF相比LNF治疗GERD有更高的手术安全性,尚有待进一步开展大样本高质量的RCT予以证实。     

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen, Toupet, and Thal antireflux procedures for neurologically normal children with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background Nissen fundoplication is the most popular laparoscopic operation for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Partial fundoplications seem to be associated with a lower incidence of postoperative dysphagia, and thus a better quality of life for patients. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcome in neurologically normal children who underwent laparoscopic Nissen, Toupet, or Thal procedures in three European centers with a large experience in laparoscopic antireflux procedures. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 300 consecutive patients with GERD who underwent laparoscopic surgery. The first 100 cases were recorded for each team, with the first team using the Toupet, the second team using the Thal, and the third team using the Nissen procedure. The only exclusion criteria for this study was neurologic impairment. For this reason, 66 neurologically impaired children (52 Thal, 10 Nissen, 4 Toupet) were excluded from the study. This evaluation focuses on the data for the remaining 238 neurologically normal children. The patients varied in age from 5 months to 16 years (median, 58 months). The median weight was 20 kg. All the children underwent a complete preoperative workup, and all had well-documented GERD. The position of the trocars and the dissection phase were similar in all the procedures, as was the posterior approximation of the crura. The short gastric vessels were divided in only six patients (2.5%). The only difference in the surgical procedures was the type of antireflux valve created. Results The median duration of surgery was 70 min. There was no mortality and no conversion in this series. A total of 12 (5%) intraoperative complications (5 Nissen, 5 Toupet, 2 Thal) and 13 (5.4%) postoperative complications (3 Toupet, 4 Nissen, 6 Thal) were recorded. Only six (2.5%) redo procedures (2 Thal, 2 Toupet, 2 Nissen) were performed. After a minimum follow-up period of 5 years, all the children were free of symptoms except nine (3.7%), who sometimes still require medication. The incidence of complications and redo surgery for the three procedures analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U test are not statistically significant. Conclusions For pediatric patients with GERD, laparoscopic Nissen, Toupet, and Thal antireflux procedures yielded satisfactory results, and none of the approaches led to increased dysphagia. The 5% rate for intraoperative complications seems linked to the learning curve period. The authors consider the three procedures as extremely effective for the treatment of children with GERD, and they believe that the choice of one procedure over the other depends only on the surgeon’s experience. Parental satisfaction with laparoscopic treatment was very high in all the three series.     

Position paper on laparoscopic antireflux operations in infants and children for gastroesophageal reflux disease

The use of the laparoscopic approach to perform antireflux procedures has increased dramatically since its introduction in 1991. To date, no prospective randomized studies comparing open surgery to the minimal invasive approach in children have been reported. Many retrospective reviews and case series have demonstrated that laparoscopic antireflux procedures are safe and effective once the learning curve is achieved. This position paper is coauthored by the New Technology Committee of the American Pediatric Surgery Association. The goal is to discuss the ongoing controversies and summarize the available evidence to identify the risks and benefits of laparoscopic antireflux procedures.     

Laparoscopic fundoplication to enhance pulmonary function in children with severe reactive airway disease and gastroesopheagal reflux disease

Background: The relationship between severe reactive airway disease (RAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been noted but the relationship is poorly understood. This study reports our experience with laparoscopic fundoplication and it's effect on the pulmonary status of children with severe steroid-dependent reactive airway disease. Methods: Fifty-six patients with severe steroid-dependent RAD and medically refractory GERD underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications. Mean age was 7 years and mean weight was 20 kg. All patients had the procedure completed successfully laparoscopically with an average operative time of 62 min. Average hospital stay was 1.6 days. Results: Forty-eight of 56 patients noted significant improvement in their respiratory symptoms in the first week. Fifty of 56 patients have been weaned off their oral steroids and four others have had a greater than 50% decrease in their dose. Sixteen patients had a documented increase in their FEV1 in the initial postoperative period (avg. 26%). Conclusion: Patients with steroid-dependent RAD and GERD refractory to medical management show improvement in their respiratory status following fundoplication and the majority can be weaned off of their oral steroids. Laparoscopic techniques allow this procedure to be performed safely even in this high-risk group of patients. Received: 25 March 1997/Accepted: 5 July 1997     

Laparoscopic repair of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Summary This report describes our preliminary experience with two surgical laparoscopic fundoplication procedures, the Nissen technique and the Toupet operation, in which the fundal wrap is reduced from 360° to 180–200°. Fourteen patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease who were refractory to pharmacologic and medical therapy underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication; in an additional 14 patients, we performed a laparoscopic Toupet partial fundoplication. Our laparoscopic approach to the two procedures does not differ significantly from the traditional open methods and the effectiveness of the laparoscopic fundoplication procedures appears similar to that of the same conventional techniques. Oral feedings can be resumed on the first postoperative day and patients typically are discharged on the second day after surgery. Operative time for performing the Toupet procedure averaged just approximately 1.6 h and was shorter than that for the Nissen fundoplication, due to the use of a stapler to secure the fundal wrap. Confirming earlier observations, the laparoscopic Toupet 180–200° fundoplication was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative digestive complications, such as dysphagia, than was the laparoscopic Nissen operation. The laparoscopic fundoplication approach offers the advantages of clear visualization, adequate dissection and precise repair, along with the benefits associated with endoscopic surgery: diminished postoperative pain and discomfort, reduced hospitalization, and quicker return to normal activities. Our experience indicates that the Toupet fundoplication may be preferable to the Nissen technique for many patients requiring surgical treatment of their reflux disease.     

Outcome of surgical fundoplication for extra-oesophageal symptoms of reflux

Background  The role of surgery in the management of extra-oesophageal symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux (EOR) is unclear. In this retrospective study we studied patients who had surgical fundoplication for EOR symptoms from 1995 to 2005. We analysed outcome with respect to symptomatic improvement and patient satisfaction. Methods  From our database of 240 patients who had surgical fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, 51 patients who had predominantly EOR symptoms were identified. All the patients had objective evidence of reflux and had been offered surgery because of failure of medical therapy and/or of development of complications. Patients were asked to score their symptoms before and after surgery using the Reflux Symptom Index, and to record their use of medicine before and after operation, their experience with surgery and their overall quality of life using a written questionnaire. Results  Forty of the 51 patients were available for analysis. Common symptoms were cough and breathlessness (32/40), throat clearing/postnasal drip (31/40), sensation of lump in the throat (29/40), and voice problems (22/40). Of these forty patients, 34 (85%) had associated classical symptoms as well. Mean follow up at the time of questionnaire was 53.3 (6–120) months. The mean Reflux Symptom Index score improved from 22.80 (SD 10.80) to 11.83 (SD 9.91) (p < 0.0001, paired t-test). Six of the 39 responders (15.3%) said they would not have had the operation knowing what they know now and that problems related to the operation outweighed any benefits. These problems included gas bloating, inability to retch and dysphagia lasting up to one year after surgery. Twenty-five percent of the 40 patients described their overall quality of life as excellent, 32.5% as good, 32.5% as satisfactory and 10% as bad. Conclusion  Surgery can be an effective treatment in the majority of patients with extra-oesophageal symptoms of reflux.     

Endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Background: It has been suggested that endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal flap valve is a good predictor of the reflux status. Methods: To test this hypothesis, 268 symptomatic patients underwent endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve using Hill's classification, with grades I through IV. Esophageal acid exposure, lower esophageal sphincter characteristics, and the degree of esophageal mucosal injury were compared among the groups. Results: The prevalence of a mechanically defective sphincter, abnormal esophageal acid exposure, erosive esophagitis, and Barrett's esophagus increased with increasing alteration of the gastroesophageal valve. The presence of a grade IV valve indicated increased esophageal acid exposure in 75% of patients. As a predictor, this is similar to lower esophageal sphincter pressure but not as good as the presence of esophageal mucosal injury. Conclusions: Endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal valve provides useful information about the reflux status but is less useful as an indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than the presence of esophageal mucosal injury. Received: 28 April 1999/Accepted: 23 June 1999