Late laparoscopic reoperation of failed antireflux procedures

Failures of antireflux procedures occur in 5% to 10% of the patients. Our objective is to report our experience with laparoscopic management of failed antireflux operations. Of 1698 patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 53 were reoperations following either a previous open or laparoscopic antireflux procedure. The indications for surgical reoperation were persistent or recurrent GERD in 35 patients (66%), presence of paraesophageal hiatal hernia in 4 (7.5%), and severe dysphagia in 14 (26.4%). Hospital stay varied from 1 to 8 days, with an average of 1.2 days. Conversion to open laparotomy occurred in 10 patients (18.8%). The main causes for persistent or recurrent GERD were herniation (n=20) and disruption (n=12) of the fundoplication. Two patients had both herniation and disruption of the fundoplication. The main reason for severe dysphagia was tight hiatus. The most common reoperations were hiatal repair for hernia correction (n=26), redo fundoplication (n=16), and widening of the hiatus (n=12). Two patients had both hiatal repair and redo fundoplication. Intra (n=5) and postoperative (n=16) complications were frequent, but they were usually minor. There was no mortality. The present study demonstrated that laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux procedures may be performed safely in most patients with excellent result, low severe morbidity, and no mortality.     

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Background: Concern has been raised about operating on patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure for the fear that a fundoplication may fail to control reflux and result in a high rate of postoperative dysphagia. We hypothesized that fundoplication is effective in patients with GERD irrespective of the preoperative LES pressure, and that in patients with normal LES pressure, a total fundoplication does not result in a high incidence of dysphagia. Methods: We studied 280 unselected patients with GERD who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. They were divided in three groups based on the preoperative LES pressure (normal, 14–24 mmHg): group A (LES pressure, 0–6 mmHg; 61 patients; 22%); group B (LES pressure, 7–13 mmHg; 178 patients; 64%); group C (LES pressure, ?14 mmHg; 41 patients; 14%). De novo dysphagia was defined as new onset of postoperative dysphagia lasting more than 10 weeks. The average follow-up period was 17 ± 22 months. Results: There was no difference in resolution of symptoms among the three groups. Heartburn and regurgitation resolved or improved respectively in 96% of group A, 90% of group B, and 91% of group C patients. In addition, there was no difference in the incidence of de novo dysphagia, which occurred in 8% of group A, 7% of group B, and 2% of group C. Conclusions: We conclude that fundoplication controlled GERD irrespective of preoperative LES pressure, and that a normal LES pressure before surgery was not associated with a higher rate of postoperative dysphagia.     

Reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat after laparoscopic fundoplication in patients with incidentally discovered hiatal hernia and in a control group

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic fundoplication effectively controls reflux symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, symptom relapse and side effects, including dysphagia and gas bloat, may develop after surgery. The aim of the study was to assess these symptoms in patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication, as well as in control subjects and patients with hiatal hernia. METHODS: A standardized, validated questionnaire on reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat was filled out by 115 patients with a follow-up of 1 to 7 years after laparoscopic fundoplication, as well as by 105 subjects with an incidentally discovered hiatal hernia and 238 control subjects. RESULTS: Patients who underwent fundoplication had better reflux scores than patients with hiatal hernia ( P = .0001) and similar scores to control subjects ( P = .11). They also had significantly more dysphagia and gas bloat than patients with hiatal hernia and controls ( P < .005 for all comparisons). Gas bloat and dysphagia were more severe in hiatal hernia patients than in controls ( P < 0.005). After fundoplication, the 25% of the patients with the shortest follow-up (1.5 +/- 0.2 years) and the 25% patients with the longest follow-up (5.8 +/- 0.6 years) had similar reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat scores ( P = .43, .82, and .85, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe GERD, laparoscopic fundoplication decreases reflux symptoms to levels found in control subjects. These results appear to be stable over time. However, patients who underwent fundoplication experience more dysphagia and gas bloat than controls and patients with hiatal hernia-symptoms that should be seen as a side effect of the procedure and of GERD itself.     

Esophagography predicts favorable outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with esophageal dysmotility

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to determine if clearance of a food bolus at preoperative esophagography predicts acceptable outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with manometrically abnormal esophageal motility. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or symptomatic hiatal hernia with evidence of esophageal dysmotility by stationary manometry underwent videoesophagography to document the ability of their esophagus to clear food boluses of varying consistencies. Sixty-six patients were identified who had manometric dysmotility yet were able to clear a food bolus at esophagography, and subsequently underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. These patients were compared with 100 randomly selected patients with normal motility who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Symptom reduction and satisfaction were assessed through followup. Patients with normal motility were compared with those with manometrically moderate and severe dysmotility. RESULTS: Preoperative patient demographic data, symptoms, and symptom scores were similar among patients with normal motility and moderate or severe dysmotility. After fundoplication, symptom reduction was notable for all patients regardless of preoperative motility (p < 0.01, paired Student's t-test). There was no notable difference in postoperative symptom scores (p = NS, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) or in patient satisfaction (p = NS, chi-square analysis) among patients stratified by esophageal motility. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with esophageal dysmotility documented by manometry who are able to clear a food bolus at contrast esophagography, have functional results after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication similar to patients with normal motility. Preoperative esophagography predicts successful outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with manometric esophageal dysmotility.     

Minimally invasive surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease

: The goal of this study was to determine if the outcome of antireflux surgery can be improved by: (1) conducting a careful preoperative workup to characterize gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the individual patient; and (2) tailoring the operation to the results of the preoperative function tests. : Sixty-eight patients had operations for GERD by minimally invasive techniques. : A Rossetti fundoplication was performed in 22 patients. Sixty-eight percent became asymptomatic. Twenty-seven percent developed dysphagia or gas bloat. Thirty-five patients had a Nissen fundoplication. Ninety-one percent are asymptomatic. Eleven patients with severe abnormalities of esophageal peristalsis underwent a Guarner fundoplication with relief of symptoms in 82% of patients. No patients in the Nissen or Guarner group developed postoperative persistent dysphagia or gas bloat. A pyloromyotomy was performed in 3 patients because of severe delayed gastric emptying. : Minimally invasive surgery for GERD gives good-to-excellent results even in patients with abnormal esophageal body function, provided that the operation is tailored to the individual patient based on the results of the preoperative function tests.     

腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术治疗老年重度胃食管反流病的长期疗效观察

目的通过对老年重度胃食管反流病(gasroesophageal reflux disease,GERD)患者行腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术(laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication,LNF)的长期随访结果和对照组对比分析,评价该方法远期的安全性和有效性。 方法回顾分析自2005年1月至2011年1月因重度GERD行LNF治疗的老年患者21例,与同期对照组44例对比,分析两组患者的远期治疗效果。 结果两组患者均成功行LNF治疗,术后早期症状均获得缓解,手术时间和术后短期并发症两组比较无明显差异,术后胃镜见食管炎症状均较术前有所好转。术后平均随访7.4年,两组复发率比较无统计学差异,老年组远期吞咽困难发生率高于对照组。 结论LNF治疗老年重度GERD安全、有效,但远期吞咽困难发生率较高于对照组。     

A Single Institution's Experience and Journey with Over 1000 Laparoscopic Fundoplications for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

There have been great advances in laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery. This study details our experience with over 1000 patients undergoing fundoplication for GERD and the journey therein. A total of 1078 patients have been prospectively followed after fundoplication. Patients scored the frequency/severity of symptoms using a Likert scale (0 = never/not bothersome to 10 = always/very bothersome). We compared the outcomes of the first and last 100 patients. Median data are reported. Of 1078 patients, 943 underwent conventional laparoscopic fundoplication and 135, most recently, underwent LESS fundoplication. Before fundoplication, patients noted frequent/severe symptoms (e.g., heartburn: frequency = 8, severity = 8). Fundoplication ameliorated frequency/severity of symptoms (e.g., heartburn: frequency = 2, severity = 0; less than preoperatively, P < 0.05). Relative to our first 100 patients, patients after LESS surgery had similar symptom control (e.g., heartburn: frequency = eight to two vs eight to zero, severity = eight to one vs six to one) but had shorter hospital stays (2 vs 1 day, P < 0.05) and had no apparent scars. Laparoscopic fundoplication provides durable and efficacious treatment for GERD; long-term symptom resolution and patient satisfaction support its continued application. The advent of LESS surgery advances surgeons' abilities to provide safe and salutary care while promoting cosmesis.     

Causes of long-term dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic fundoplication has revolutionized the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Despite improvements in the technique of fundoplication, persistent dysphagia remains a significant cause of postoperative morbidity. METHOD: Causes of persistent postoperative dysphagia were analyzed in a consecutive series of 167 patients after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Short gastric vessel division and its effect on postoperative dysphagia were analyzed. RESULTS: Follow-up was possible in 139 patients (83%). The mean follow-up period was 27 +/- 21 months. Nine patients (6%) had persistent (moderate to severe) dysphagia, and 33 patients (24%) had mild dysphagia. The satisfaction score among patients with persistent dysphagia was significantly lower than that in patients with mild dysphagia (P < 0.0002). On the other hand, the satisfaction rate among patients with mild dysphagia and those who are asymptomatic was similar. Manometry, performed in 7 of 9 persistent dysphagia patients revealed no difference in postoperative lower esophagus sphincter (LES) pressure and relaxation as compared with that in the control group (n = 52). Six of 9 patients with persistent dysphagia underwent a re-do antireflux procedure. Dysphagia as related to fundic mobilization (complete vs. partial) or bougie size (< 58 Fr. vs. > or = 58 Fr.) revealed no difference in the dysphagia ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic short Nissen fundoplication with or without fundic mobilization achieved an acceptable long-term dysphagia rate. Careful patient selection, identification of the short esophagus, and accurate construction of the fundoplication can lead to a decrease in the incidence of persistent postoperative dysphagia.     

Laparoscopic Toupet versus Nissen fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

The Nissen fundoplication is the most popular laparoscopic operation performed for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, for patients in whom esophageal peristalsis is documented to be weak preoperatively, use of a partial wrap, or Toupet procedure, has often been used as an alternative to lessen the potential for postoperative dysphagia. Recent reports have criticized the Toupet procedure as having a higher long-term failure rate than the Nissen approach, especially for patients with severe forms of GERD. We reviewed our experience performing laparoscopic antireflux surgery over a 7-year period and compared the results of patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen versus Toupet procedures. All procedures were performed at our institution by a single surgeon. Data recorded included preoperative demographic data, preoperative disease parameters, perioperative data, postoperative course, and symptom scores. Follow-up was based on a combination of medical records and phone interviews. There were 142 patients with complete records allowing review for this study. Of these, 118 underwent 122 Nissen fundoplications and 26 underwent 27 Toupet fundoplications. Selection of the procedure was based on preoperative manometric studies. There were seven reoperations. Seven of the patients (28%) who underwent Toupet procedures had severe GERD, a percentage comparable to the Nissen group (31.6%). Preoperative parameters were comparable for both groups, although the Toupet patients had lower average preoperative LES pressures (9.79 mmHg) than did the Nissen patients (16.1 mmHg, P < 0.05). The operative duration, operative blood loss, morbidity, length of hospitalization, need for reoperation, and efficacy in terms of relieving symptoms (average follow-up = 27.5 months) were comparable for both groups. Based on this experience, the Toupet procedure seems safe and effective in treating the symptoms of GERD, including patients with severe forms of the disease. We recommend its selective use in patients with preoperative esophageal hypomotility who are undergoing laparoscopic antireflux surgery.     

Nissen vs toupet laparoscopic fundoplication

BACKGROUND: Nissen fundoplication (360 degrees ) is the standard operation for the surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To avoid postoperative dysphagia, it has been proposed that antireflux surgery be tailored according to the degree of preexisting esophageal motility. Postoperative dysphagia is thought to occur more commonly in patients with esophageal dysmotility and the Toupet procedure (270 degrees ) has been recommended for these patients. We performed a randomized trial to evaluate this tailored concept and to compare the two operative techniques in terms of reflux control and complication rate (dysphagia). Our objective was to determine the impact of preoperative esophageal motility on the clinical and objective outcome, following Toupet vs Nissen fundoplication and to evaluate the success rate of these procedures. METHODS: From May 1999 until May 2000, 200 patients with GERD were included in a prospective randomized study. After preoperative examinations (clinical interview, endoscopy, 24-h pH study and esophageal manometry), 100 patients underwent either a laparoscopic Nissen (50 with and 50 without motility disorders), or a Toupet procedure (50 with and 50 without motility disorders). Postoperative follow-up after 4 months included clinical interview, endoscopy, 24-h pH study and esophageal manometry. RESULTS: Interviews showed that 88% (Nissen) and 90% (Toupet) of the patients, respectively, were satisfied with the operative result. Dysphagia was more frequent following a Nissen fundoplication than after a Toupet (30 vs 11, p <0.001) and did not correlate with preoperative motility. In terms of reflux control, the Toupet proved to be as effective as the Nissen procedure. CONCLUSION: Tailoring antireflux surgery to esophageal motility is not indicated, since motility disorders are not correlated with postoperative dysphagia. The Toupet procedure is the better operation because it has a lower rate of dysphagia and is as effective as the Nissen fundoplication in controlling reflux.     

Normal Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure and Length Does Not Impact Outcome After Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication

Intuitively, a manometrically normal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) will promote dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. This study was undertaken to compare outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients who had normal and manometrically inadequate LES preoperatively. Before fundoplication, the length and resting pressures of LES were determined manometrically in 59 patients with documented gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Twenty-nine patients had a manometrically normal LES, with resting pressures >10 mm Hg and length >2 cm. Thirty patients had resting pressures of ≤10 mm Hg and length of ≤2 cm. Before and after fundoplication, patients graded the frequency and severity of symptoms of GERD utilizing a Likert scale (0 = never/not bothersome to 10 = always/very bothersome). DeMeester scores and symptom scores before and after fundoplication were compared. Before fundoplication, the manometric character of the LES did not impact the elevation of DeMeester scores or the frequency/severity of reflux symptoms. All symptoms improved significantly with fundoplication independent of LES pressure/length. Prefundoplication, manometric character of the LES did not impact the frequency or severity of reflux symptoms after fundoplication. Preoperative manometric character of the LES does not impact the presentation of GERD or the outcome after fundoplication. Symptoms globally and significantly improve after fundoplication, independent of manometric LES character. Normal LES manometry does not impact outcome and, specifically, does not promote dysphagia, after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Presented at the 47th Annual Meeting for the Society of Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Los Angeles, CA May 20 to 24 2006     

Physiologic mechanism and preoperative prediction of new-onset dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative physiologic factors can account for and be used to predict the development of postoperative dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. One hundred sixty-three patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a median follow-up of 14 months (range 6 to 81 months). Preoperative dysphagia was present in 37% (60 of 163) and was relieved in all but five patients (92%). Female sex (P = 0.01) and the presence of a stricture (P = 0.02) were the only preoperative variables associated with the presence of preoperative dysphagia. Eight percent (8 of 103) of patients without preoperative dysphagia developed new-onset dysphagia, and of these 63% (5 of 8) had a normal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (pressure >6 mm Hg; length >2 cm; abdominal length >1 cm). New-onset dysphagia was significantly more common in patients with a normal LES (22% [5 of 23] vs. 4% [3 of 80], P = 001). Patients with a normal LES had almost a sixfold increase in the risk of developing dysphagia as those with an abnormal LES (relative risk = 5.8). Only a preoperative normal LES (P = 0.02) or mean LES pressures (P = 0.04) were positively associated with the development of postoperative dysphagia. The severity of this dysphagia also showed a strong positive trend of increasing with mean preoperative LES pressures (P = 0.07). Finally, preoperative LES pressure significantly correlated with postoperative LES pressure (r = 0.48, P = 0.01) and with mean residual LES (nadir) pressure (r = 0.33, P = 0.05) offering insight into the mechanism of this dysphagia. In conclusion, preoperative LES parameters play a role in the development of dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Patients with a normal LES or high mean LES pressures are at increased risk for developing this complication and should be informed of this before laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Presented at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Atlanta, Ga., May 20–23, 2001.     

Hiatus calibration decreases postoperative dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication: case-report study

STUDY AIM: The risk of dysphagia after antireflux surgery seems to be increased with laparoscopy compared with open surgery. Calibration of the hiatus is usually done by the surgeon's finger during open surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the results of laparoscopic calibration with a Fogarty balloon catheter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2001, 21 patients had a laparoscopic Toupet 240 degrees fundoplication with hiatus calibration using a 4 ml-inflated 8G Fogarty balloon catheter. These patients were compared with a group of 21 patients without hiatus calibration, matched for age, sex, preoperative dysphagia and esophageal dysmotility. Judgment criteria was early and/or late postoperative dysphagia (> 3 months). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 13 months. The rate of early dysphagia with and without calibration were 66% and 48% respectively (NS). Median duration of early dysphagia with and without calibration were 25 and 43 days respectively (p = 0.05). No patient with calibration had late dysphagia. One patient (5%) without calibration had unexplained late dysphagia for 2 years. He had preoperative esophageal dysmotility without oesophagitis. CONCLUSION: Hiatus calibration with a Fogarty balloon catheter decreased early postoperative dysphagia duration after Toupet laparoscopic fundoplication. This easily reproducible technical point standardizes the hiatus closure and should be recommended.     

Laparoscopic toupet fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease with poor esophageal body motility

Impaired esophageal body motility is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In patients with this disease, a 360-degree fundoplication may result in severe postoperative dysphagia. Forty-six patients with GERD who had a weak lower esophageal sphincter pressure and a positive acid reflux score associated with impaired esophageal body peristalsis in the distal esophagus (amplitude <30 mm Hg and >10% simultaneous or interrupted waves) were selected to undergo laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. They were compared with 16 similar patients with poor esophageal body function who underwent Nissen fundoplication. The patients who underwent Toupet fundoplication had less dysphagia than those who had the Nissen procedure (9% vs. 44%;P=0.0041). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory pH monitoring and esophageal manometry were repeated in 31 Toupet patients 6 months after surgery. Percentage of time of esophageal exposure to pH <4.0, DeMeester reflux score, lower esophageal pressure, intra-abdominal length, vector volume, and distal esophageal amplitude all improved significantly after surgery. Ninety-one percent of patients were free of reflux symptoms. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication provides an effective antireflux barrier according to manometric, pH, and symptom criteria. It avoids potential postoperative dysphagia in patients with weak esophageal peristalsis and results teria. It avoids potential postoperative dysphagia in patients with weak esophageal peristalsis and results in improved esophageal body function 6 months after, surgery. Presented at the Thirty-Seventh Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, Calif., May 19–22, 1996.     

Results after laparoscopic fundoplication: does age matter?

Antireflux fundoplications are undertaken with hesitation in older patients because of presumed higher morbidity and poorer outcomes. This study was undertaken to determine if symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) could be safely abrogated in a high-risk/reward popu lation of older patients. One hundred eight patients more than 70 years of age (range, 70-90 years) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications undertaken between 1992 and 2005 and were compared with 108 concurrent patients less than 60 years of age (range, 18-59 years) to determine relative outcomes. Before and after fundoplication, patients scored the severity of reflux and dysphagia on a Likert Scale (0 = minor, 10 = severe). Before fundoplication, older patients had lower reflux scores (P < 0.01), but not lower dysphagia scores or DeMeester scores. One patient (86 years old) died from myocardial infarction; otherwise, complications occurred infrequently, inconsequentially, and regardless of age. At similar durations of follow-up, reflux and dysphagia scores significantly improved (P < 0.01) for older and younger patients. After fundoplication, older patients had lower dysphagia scores (P < 0.01) and lower reflux scores (P < 0.01). At the most recent follow-up, 82 per cent of older patients rated their relief of symptoms as good or excellent. Similarly, 81 per cent of the younger patients reported good or excellent results. Ninety-one per cent of patients 70 years of age or more versus 85 per cent of patients less than 60 years would undergo laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication again, if necessary. With fundoplication, symptoms of GERD improve for older and younger patients, with less symptomatic dysphagia and reflux in older patients after fundoplication. Laparoscopic fundoplication safely ameliorates symptoms of GERD in elderly patients with symptomatic outcomes superior to those seen in younger patients.     

Upright,supine, or bipositional reflux

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to determine if the body position in which gastroesophageal reflux occurs before fundoplication--i.e., pattern of reflux--affects symptoms before or after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. METHODS: A total of 417 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) underwent pH studies, and the severity of reflux in the upright and supine positions was determined. The percent time with pH less than 4 was used to assign patients to one of four groups: upright reflux (pH < 4 more than 8.3% of time in upright position, n = 80), supine reflux (pH < 4 more than 3.5% of time in supine position, n = 73), bipositional reflux (both supine and upright reflux, n = 163), or neither (n = 101). Before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, the frequency and severity of symptoms of reflux (e.g., dysphagia, regurgitation, choking, heartburn, chest pain) were scored on a Likert scale (0 = never/not bothersome to 10 = always/very bothersome). For each patient, symptom scores before versus after fundoplication were compared using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test; comparisons of symptom scores among patients grouped by reflux patterns were made using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Before fundoplication, the patterns of reflux did not affect the frequency or severity of reflux symptoms. After laparoscopic fundoplication, all symptoms of bipositional reflux improved, and essentially all symptoms of isolated supine or upright reflux or neither improved. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperatively, regardless of the patterns of reflux, symptoms among patients were similar. After fundoplication, symptoms of GERD improved for all patterns of reflux. Laparoscopic fundoplication imparts dramatic and broad relief of symptoms of GERD, regardless of the patterns of reflux. Application of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is encouraged.     

The outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Long term results

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term efficacy of laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PATIENT AND METHODS: Between 1(st) January 1992 and 31 December 1996, 161 patients underwent complete or partial laparoscopic fundoplication for a symptomatic GERD. One hundred and twenty three patients were submitted to Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication, 26 patients to Nissen fundoplication and 12 patients to a partial posterior Toupet fundoplication.141 patients were evaluated at 3 months, 2-years and 5-years. Since undergoing the operation, four patients died of unrelated causes, 16 patients could not be contacted for follow up (10%). pH monitoring and oesophageal manometry were performed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The patients were evaluated 2 and 5-years after surgery by specific phone questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no mortality, the morbidity rate was 1.2% and the conversion rate was 5%. Incidence of dysphagia 3 months after surgery was 23.4%, and 5-years after 12%; 12% of patients had recurrent symptoms at 5 years. CONCLUSION: The overall satisfaction rate at 5 years was 91.4%. Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication seems to have better results at 5-years regarding postoperative dysphagia and symptoms recurrence.     

Fundoplication improves disordered esophageal motility

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and disordered esophageal motility are at risk for postoperative dysphagia, and are often treated with partial (270-degree) fundoplication as a strategy to minimize postoperative swallowing difficulties. Complete (360-degree) fundoplication, however, may provide more effective and durable reflux protection over time. Recently we reported that postfundoplication dysphagia is uncommon, regardless of preoperative manometric status and type of fundoplication. To determine whether esophageal function improves after fundoplication, we measured postoperative motility in patients in whom disordered esophageal motility had been documented before fundoplication. Forty-eight of 262 patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between 1995 and 2000 satisfied preoperative manometric criteria for disordered esophageal motility (distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude ≤30 mm Hg and/or peristaltic frequency ≤80%). Of these, 19 had preoperative manometric assessment at our facility and consented to repeat study. Fifteen (79%) of these patients had a complete fun-doplication and four (21%) had a partial fundoplication. Each patient underwent repeat four-channel esophageal manometry 29.5 ± 18.4 months (mean ± SD) after fundoplication. Distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude and peristaltic frequency were compared to preoperative data by paired t test. After fun-doplication, mean peristaltic amplitude in the distal esophagus increased by 47% (56.8 ± 30.9 mm Hg to 83.5 ± 36.5 mm Hg; P < 0.001) and peristaltic frequency improved by 33% (66.4 ± 28.7% to 87.6 ± 16.3%; P< 0.01). Normal esophageal motor function was present in 14 patients (74%) after fundoplication, whereas in five patients the esophageal motor function remained abnormal (2 improved, 1 worsened, and 2 remained unchanged). Three patients with preoperative peristaltic frequencies of 0%, 10%, and 20% improved to 84%, 88%, and 50%, respectively, after fundoplication. In most GERD patients with esophageal dysmotility, fundoplication improves the amplitude and frequency of esophageal peristalsis, suggesting refluxate has an etiologic role in motor dysfunction. These data, along with prior data showing that postoperative dysphagia is not common, imply that surgeons should apply complete fun-doplication liberally in patients with disordered preoperative esophageal motility. Presented at the Forty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, California, May 19–22, 2002 (poster presentation).     

Gallbladder function before and after fundoplication

No study has reported an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or its therapies and gallbladder function. We compared pre- and postoperative gallbladder function in patients undergoing fundoplication to determine the following: (1) whether patients with chronic GERD have preexisting gallbladder motor dysfunction; (2) whether medical or surgical therapy alters gallbladder function; and (3) whether division of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve is detrimental to gallbladder motility. Nineteen patients with documented GERD consented to a preoperative cholecystokinin-stimulated technetium hepatobiliary (CCK-HIDA) scan to quantify the gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF). All patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. One month after fundoplication, 12 patients completed a repeat CCK-HIDA scan for determination of GBEF, with comparison to the preoperative GBEF. Among patients with preoperative GERD, 11 (58%) of 19 met the scintigraphic criteria for gallbladder dysfunction (GBEF <35%), which is a ratio comparable to that in patients undergoing a CCK-HIDA scan for presumed biliary dyskinesia during the same time period (31 [60%] of 53;P=NS, chi square test) and exceeds the rate of abnormal GBEF reported in healthy volunteers (3%). Six of seven patients with a low preoperative GBEF who underwent repeat evaluation postoperatively had normalization of the GBEF (P=0.05, paired t-test). In the 12 patients who underwent postoperative CCK-HIDA scanning, there was no association between preservation or division of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve and postoperative gallbladder dysfunction (P=NS, chi-square test). Unexpectedly, 58% of patients with GERD demonstrated gallbladder motor dysfunction prior to fundoplication, with improvement to normal occurring in most of those studied postoperatively. These data support controlled trials to determine the effect of chronic GERD and antisecretory therapy on gallbladder and global gastrointestinal smooth muscle function. Preservation of the hepatic branch of the anterior vagus nerve during fundoplication offered no clear benefit with regard to early postoperative gallbladder function. Presented at The Forty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, California, May 19–22, 2002 (oral presentation).     

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with prosthetic hiatal closure reduces postoperative intrathoracic wrap herniation: preliminary results of a prospective randomized functional and clinical study

BACKGROUND: Postoperative intrathoracic wrap migration is the most frequent morphological complication after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Previous authors have studied the use of prosthetic materials for hiatal closure to prevent recurrence of hiatal hernia and/or postoperative intrathoracic wrap herniation. HYPOTHESIS: Patients with prosthetic hiatal closure have a higher rate of short-term dysphagia but a significantly lower rate of postoperative intrathoracic wrap herniation at follow-up. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. We compared patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with simple sutured hiatoplasty with those who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with prosthetic hiatal closure. SETTING: University-affiliated community hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia repair. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with simple sutured crural closure (n = 50 [group 1]) vs laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with simple sutured cruroplasty and onlay of a polypropylene mesh (n = 50 [group 2]). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrences; complications; results of esophageal manometry, 24-hour pH monitoring, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and barium swallow test; and symptomatic outcome. RESULTS: Patients in both groups had similar preoperative values in esophageal manometry, 24-hour pH monitoring, and symptom scoring. At the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups, functional outcome variables (lower esophageal sphincter pressure and DeMeester score) improved significantly compared with the preoperative values. A higher postoperative dysphagia rate could be evaluated in group 2. An intrathoracic wrap migration occurred in 13 patients (26%) in group 1 vs 4 (8%) in group 2 (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with prosthetic cruroplasty is an effective procedure to reduce the incidence of postoperative hiatal hernia recurrence and intrathoracic wrap herniation.