Gas-related symptoms after laparoscopic 360° Nissen or 270° Toupet fundoplication in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity

BACKGROUND: Aerophagia is a rare but well-known comorbidity in patients with gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Particularly after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, it has proven to result in worse symptomatic outcome and a lower postoperative quality of life in comparison to patients without preoperative gas-related symptoms. AIMS: Aim of the study was to compare the postoperative outcome in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity after either laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication or 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication with main focus on the frequency and subjective impairment of gas-related symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 56 gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients, the comorbidity of aerophagia was diagnosed prior to laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Irrespective of their preoperative manometric findings, the patients were either scheduled to a laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen (n=28) or a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication (n=28). All patients have been analysed concerning the presence of gas-related symptoms preoperatively as well as 3 months after surgery. Additionally, the subjective degree of impairment was evaluated using a numerous rating scale (0=no perception/impairment, 100=most severe perception/impairment). The following symptoms have been analysed: ability/inability to belch, 'gas bloat', flatulence, postprandial fullness and epigastric pain. RESULTS: Before surgery, there were no significant differences between both surgical groups. Three months after surgery, significant differences (p<0.05-0.01) were found: patients who underwent a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication suffered from less impairing gas bloat, flatulence and postprandial fullness when compared with patients with a 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication. The majority of these patients were able to belch postoperatively but felt no impairment due to this symptom. In contrast, patients of the Nissen group felt a significant impairment due to the inability to belch. CONCLUSION: Gas-related symptoms are very common in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as a comorbidity. Patients who undergo a laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication show less impairment in relation to gas-related problems compared with patients treated with a Nissen fundoplication for a follow-up period of at least 3 months. In the Toupet group, the ability to belch postoperatively seems to be a positive aspect from the patients' view which also improves the percentage of gas-related problems. However, long-term results are necessary.     

Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a condition that develops when the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus leads to troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Heartburn is the cardinal symptom, often associated with regurgitation. In patients with endoscopy-negative heartburn refractory to proton pump inhibitor(PPI) therapy and when the diagnosis of GERD is in question, direct reflux testing by impedance-pH monitoring is warranted. Laparoscopic fundoplication is the standard surgical treatment for GERD. It is highly effective in curing GERD with a 80% success rate at 20-year follow-up. The Nissen fundoplication, consisting of a total(360°) wrap, is the most commonly performed antireflux operation. To reduce postoperative dysphagia and gas bloating, partial fundoplications are also used, including the posterior(Toupet) fundoplication, and the anterior(Dor) fundoplication. Currently, there is consensus to advise laparoscopic fundoplication in PPI-responsive GERD only for those patients who develop untoward side-effects or complications from PPI therapy. PPI resistance is the real challenge in GERD. There is consensus that carefully selected GERD patients refractory to PPI therapy are eligible for laparoscopic fundoplication, provided that objective evidence of reflux as the cause of ongoing symptoms has been obtained. For this purpose, impedance-pH monitoring is regarded as the diagnostic gold standard.     

Non-pharmacologic treatment strategies in gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract   In the West, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and well-recognized disease. Lately, it has been described as an emerging problem in the East as well. While it is not a rapidly fatal illness, it causes a myriad of disturbing symptoms that remarkably reduce the patients' quality of life (QOL). The economic impact that results from multiple consultations, diagnostic investigations, and administration of a variety of treatment regimens, including surgery, is enormous.
The operative management for GERD is fundoplication, for example Toupet (270 degree wrap of the distal esophagus) and Nissen (360 degree wrap of the distal esophagus). These surgical procedures are aimed at permanently controlling acid reflux by reconstructing the gastroesophageal junction. Currently, the ease, aesthetic advantages, and the comparable outcomes achieved by minimally invasive laparoscopic fundoplication have rekindled interest in the operative alternatives of GERD management. Fundoplication controls or diminishes considerably the severity of the symptoms associated with GERD. However, appearance of new symptoms i.e. dysphagia, 'gas–bloat syndrome', etc. as postoperative events have been reported.
Recently, several innovative endoluminal treatment modalities have been introduced, namely; endoscopic plicator/suturing devices, bulking injections, and radiofrequency treatment. They are focused on enhancing the performance of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter. While results of several case series reflect substantial improvements in GERD-HRQL scores, lack of long-term durability data is a major concern when recommending these novel, relatively simple, peroral techniques to a long suffering patient. It is clear that these therapies are still evolving and long-term outcomes of properly designed comparative efficacy trials are awaited.     

Laparoscopic fundoplication in mentally normal children with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery has been performed in neurologically impaired and scoliotic children. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic fundoplication in mentally normal children with gastroesophageal reflux disease that failed to respond to medical therapy. Data were prospectively collected (symptoms, medical therapy, endoscopies' findings) on 12 children (nine boys, three girls) aged 9-15 years with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pre- and postoperative ambulatory 24-h pH and DeMeester and Johnson scores were also recorded. Effectiveness of surgery was assessed by comparison of pre- and postoperative total acid exposure time, Visick grade, need for antireflux medication and symptom scores. In total, 11 children underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and one underwent a Toupet procedure. Median length of stay was 2 (2-3) nights. The median preoperative pH acid exposure time (AET) was 4.7 (0.8-16.4) percent compared with postoperative AET of 0.4 (0-3) percent. Early postoperative dysphagia occurred in four out of 12 patients, requiring a total of six dilatations. Postoperative Visick scores were: grade I=7 and grade II=5. Laparoscopic fundoplication can be safely performed and is effective in children with GERD who have failed to respond to medical therapy.     

Influence of esophagealmotility on the outcome of laparoscopic total fundoplication

SUMMARY.   The aim of this study is to evaluate if esophageal dysmotility can influence the outcome of laparoscopic total fundoplication for gatro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The advent of laparoscopic fundoplication has greatly reduced the morbidity of antireflux surgery and by now, it should be considered the surgical treatment of choice for GERD. Some authors assert that total versus partial fundoplication should improve the rate of postoperative dysphagia or gas bloat syndrome, particularly in patients with esophageal dysmotility. From September 1992 to December 2005, 420 consecutive patients 171 male and 249 female, mean age 42.8 years (range 12–80) underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. At manometric evaluation, we divided patients into two groups: group A (163/420; 38.8%) with impaired esophageal peristalsis (peristaltic waves with a pressure < 30 mmHg), and group B (257/420; 61.2%) without impaired peristalsis. We followed up clinically 406 out of 420 (96.7%) patients, 156/163 patients (95.7%) in group A and 250/257 patients (97.3%) in group B. An excellent outcome was observed in 143/156 (91.7%) group A patients and in 234/250 (93.6%) group B patients ( P  = NS). Both groups showed significant improvement in clinical symptom score with no statistically significant difference between patients with normal and impaired peristalsis. Thus, preoperative defective esophageal peristalsis is not a contraindication to total laparoscopic fundoplication.     

Esophageal motility in reflux disease before and after fundoplication: a prospective, randomized, clinical, and manometric study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether esophageal dysmotility affects symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease or clinical outcome after laparoscopic fundoplication and whether esophagus motor function changes postoperatively. METHODS: Two hundred patients with a history of long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease were investigated by clinical assessment, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour pH monitoring between May 1999 and May 2000. Patients were stratified according to presence or absence of esophageal dysmotility (each n = 100) and randomized to either 360 degrees (Nissen) or 270 degrees (Toupet) fundoplication. At a 4-month postoperative follow-up, preoperative tests were repeated. RESULTS: Preoperative esophageal dysmotility was associated with more severe reflux symptoms, more frequent resistance to medical treatment (64% vs. 49%; P < 0.05), and greater decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure (9.5 +/- 5.3 vs. 12.4 +/- 6.7 mm Hg; P < 0.0005) compared with normal motility. Postoperatively, clinical outcome and reflux recurrence (21% vs. 14%) were similar. Esophageal motility remained unchanged in 85% of patients and changed from pathologic to normal in 20 (10 Nissen/10 Toupet) and vice versa in 9 (8 Nissen/1 Toupet) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal dysmotility (1) reflects more severe disease; (2) does not affect postoperative clinical outcome; (3) is not corrected by fundoplication, independent of the surgical procedure performed; (4) may occur as a result of fundoplication; and (5) requires no tailoring of surgical management.     

Concurrent Fluoroscopy and Manometry Reveal Differences in Laparoscopic Nissen and Anterior Fundoplication

A prospective double-blind randomized trial wasinitiated to examine two types of laparoscopicfundoplication (Nissen and anterior). Thirty-twopatients with proven gastroesophageal reflux diseasepresenting for primary laparoscopic antireflux surgerywere randomized to undergo either Nissen fundoplication(N = 13) or anterior hemifundoplication (N = 19).Postoperative fluoroscopic and manometric examinationwas carried out concomitantly. Nissenfundoplication resulted in significantly greaterelevation of resting (33.5 vs 23 mm Hg) and residuallower esophageal sphincter pressures (17 vs 6.5 mm Hg)and lower esophageal ramp pressure (26 vs 20.5 mm Hg) than theanterior partial fundoplication. A smallerradiologically measured sphincter opening diameter wasseen following Nissen fundoplication (9 mm) comparedwith anterior fundoplication (12 mm). Lower esophageal ramppressure correlated weakly (r = 0.37, P = 0.04) withpostoperative dysphagia. It is concluded that the typeof fundoplication performed significantly influences postoperative manometric and video bariumradiology outcomes. The clinical relevance of thisrequires further investigation.     

Primary prevention of reflux esophagitis in achalasia of cardia

Aim of the study was to compare the incidence of reflux esophagitis in patients with achalasia cardia after successful surgical treatment with balloon dilatation and ezofago-cardio-seromyotomy followed by fundoplication according toToupet type. The study included only those patients with eliminated symptoms of dysphagia. All patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of treatment. In the first group (20 patients) performed balloon dilatation, second group (20 patients)--laparoscopic ezofagocardioseromiotomiya followed by fundoplication according type Toupet. Results evaluated one year after the intervention. Revealed that the incidence of reflux esophagitis were significantly higher in group of patients after balloon dilatation, than in the group of operated patients--40 and 15% respectively (p < 0,05). Received results allow to reconsider approaches to the selection of treatment method of achalasia cardia in favor of laparoscopic ezofagocardioseromitomii with the formation of posterior cuff-type Toupet.     

Persistent dysphagia after laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux disease

SUMMARY.  Persistent postoperative dysphagia is a potentially severe complication of fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze our experience of laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD in 276 consecutive patients, to determine the frequency of postoperative dysphagia and assess treatments and outcomes. There was no relation between preoperative dysphagia, present in 24 patients (8.7%), and postoperative DeMeester grade 2 or 3 dysphagia, present in 25 patients (9.1%). Ten (3.6%) patients had clinically significant postoperative dysphagia, eight (2.9%) underwent esophageal dilation, with symptom improvement in five. Four (1.4%) of our patients (two with failed dilation) and 11 patients receiving antireflux surgery elsewhere, underwent re-operation for persistent dysphagia 12 months (median) after the first operation. DeMeester grade 0 or 1 dysphagia was obtained in 10/13 evaluable patients. Our experience is fully consistent with that of the recent literature. Redo surgery is necessary in only a small fraction of operated patients with GERD with good probability of resolving the dysphagia. Best outcomes are obtained when an anatomical cause of the dysphagia is documented preoperatively.     

腹腔镜Nissen和Toupet胃底折叠术治疗食管裂孔疝合并胃食管反流病的术后效果评价

目的探讨腹腔镜Nissen和Toupet胃底折叠术治疗食管裂孔疝合并胃食管反流病的疗效和术后并发症。 方法回顾性分析2014年7月至2016年7月,在中国医科大学附属盛京医院行腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝修补联合胃底折叠术的57例食管裂孔疝合并胃食管反流病患者的临床资料,其中24例行Nissen胃底折叠术式(Nissen组),33例行Toupet胃底折叠术式(Toupet组)。观察并比较2组患者的术后抗反流效果及发生术后并发症情况。 结果57例均顺利完成腹腔镜下手术,无中转开腹,手术时间68～115 min,平均手术时间(75.8±6.4)min;术中出血量15～30 ml,平均出血量(22±5)ml;2组患者均使用补片行食管裂孔疝修补术;术后24 h进流食,术后平均住院日(10.5±3)d。2组患者手术时间,出血量,住院日无明显差别。57例患者均得到随访,随访时间为6个月至2.5年,平均随访时间为18个月。术后均未出现反酸,烧心等胃食管反流病典型症状,无复发病例。Nissen组术后有2例(8.2%)患者出现吞咽困难,Toupet组术后有8例(24.2%)出现吞咽困难,Toupet组术后并发症发生率明显高于Nissen组。术前伴有胃食管反流病的患者行胃镜检查均有不同程度的食管炎症,所有患者术后均复查胃镜、食管测压及食管24 h pH值监测。复查结果显示,2组患者术后较术前食管下括约肌压力均有明显改善,食管下括约肌长度也均明显延长。 结论腹腔镜下Nissen术式在术后出现吞咽困难发生率上少于Toupet术式,但2种术式抗反流效果无明显差异。     

Outcome of floppy Nissen fundoplication with intraoperative manometry to treat sliding hiatal hernia

SUMMARY.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of floppy Nissen fundoplication with intraoperative esophageal manometry. Between February 1992 and July 2004, there were 102 patients with sliding hiatal hernia undergoing transabdominal Nissen fundoplication. They were divided into three groups: 27 patients were in the Nissen group (CNF), 44 in the floppy Nissen group (FNF, including 5 with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication), and 31 in the intraoperative-esophageal-manometry group (INF, 13 with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication). There were no operation-related deaths. Operation-related complications occurred in five patients within 1 month after operation: In CNF, two patients suffered from dysphagia and one from regurgitation; in FNF, one patient had slight dysphagia and two had regurgitation; in INF, there was no one who complained about dysphagia or regurgitation, but pneumothorax occurred in one case. After more than 2 years of follow-up, two patients, in CNF, suffered from severe dysphagia, one recurred and two with abnormal 24 h pH monitoring. In FNF, one patient had dysphagia, one recurred and three had abnormal 24 h pH monitoring; in INF, two patients had acid reflux on 24 h pH monitoring. The postoperative lower esophageal sphincter pressure was in the normal range in 30 of 31 patients (96.5%). The normal rate of postoperative tests in CNF, FNF and INF were 81.5%, 86.4% and 93.5%, respectively. Both the Nissen fundoplication and the floppy Nissen fundoplication are effective approaches to treat patients with sliding hiatal hernia. Intraoperative manometry is useful in standardizing the tightness of the wrap in floppy Nissen fundoplication and may contribute to reducing or avoiding the occurence of postoperative complications.     

Preoperative esophageal body motility does not influence the outcome of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

We evaluated a policy of performing laparoscopic antireflux surgery without tailoring the procedure to the results of preoperative esophageal motility tests. A total of 117 patients (82 with normal esophageal motility; 35 with ineffective motility, IEM) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. There were no significant differences in preoperative symptom length, dysphagia, DeMeester symptom scores, acid exposure times or lower esophageal sphincter pressures between the two groups. Both groups showed postoperative improvements in DeMeester symptom scores, dysphagia and acid exposure, with no differences between groups. At 1 year after surgery, 95% of the normal motility group and 91% of the IEM group had a good/excellent outcome from surgery. None of the IEM group required postoperative dilatation or reoperation. Patients with IEM fare equally well from laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication as those with normal esophageal motility. There is no merit in tailoring antireflux surgery to the results of preoperative motility tests.     

Motor and sensory function of the proximal stomach in reflux disease and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

OBJECTIVE: After Nissen fundoplication, dyspeptic symptoms such as fullness and early satiety develop in >30% of patients. These symptoms may result from alterations in proximal gastric motor and sensory function. METHODS: We have evaluated proximal gastric motor and sensory function using an electronic barostat in 12 patients after successful laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications (median follow-up; 12 months). Twelve age- and gender-matched patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and 12 healthy volunteers served as controls. Studies were performed in the fasting state and after meal ingestion. Gastric emptying tests were performed in all patients. Vagus nerve integrity was measured by the response of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) to insulin hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Minimal distending pressure and proximal gastric compliance were not significantly different between post-Nissen patients, GERD patients, and healthy controls. Postprandial relaxation of the stomach, however, was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced post-Nissen (267 +/- 34 ml), compared with controls (400 +/- 30 ml) and GERD (448 +/- 30 ml). Postprandial relaxation was significantly (p < 0.01) prolonged in GERD patients. Postprandial relaxation of the stomach correlated with gastric emptying of solids (r = 0.62; p = 0.01). Gastric emptying of solids became significantly (p < 0.05) faster after fundoplication. Postprandial fullness was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Post-Nissen patients have a significantly reduced postprandial gastric relaxation and significantly accelerated gastric emptying, which may explain postoperative dyspeptic symptoms. The abnormalities result from fundoplication and not from vagus nerve injury or reflux per se, because in reflux patients gastric relaxation and gastric emptying are prolonged.     

Outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are not influenced by the pattern of reflux

SUMMARY.  The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with different types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (upright, supine, or bipositional) after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and determine if patients with upright reflux have worse outcomes. Two hundred and twenty-five patients with reflux confirmed by 24-h pH monitoring were divided into three groups based on the type of reflux present. Patients were questioned pre- and post-fundoplication regarding the presence and duration of symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, cough and chest pain). Symptoms were scored using a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 4 (disabling symptom). Esophageal manometry and pH results were also compared. There was no statistically significant difference in lower esophageal sphincter length, pressure or function between the three groups. There was no significant difference in any of the postoperative symptom categories between the three groups. The type of reflux identified preoperatively does not have an adverse effect on postoperative outcomes after Nissen fundoplication and should not discourage physicians from offering antireflux surgery to patients with upright reflux.     

Minimally invasive surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease deteriorating patient's quality of life. With the advent of proton pump inhibitors, treatment failures have decreased considerably. However, surgical therapy offers the potential for cure in more than 90% of patients with GERD. Specific indications for antireflux surgery are: incomplete response to medical therapy, frequent recurrences despite the medical treatment, laryngopharyngeal, and/or respiratory symptoms, and complications of GERD, such as esophageal stricture, erosive esophagitis, esophageal ulcer, and/or Barrett's esophagus. The introduction of laparoscopic surgery in early ninties had a profound impact on many surgical fields, including the treatment of GERD. In this review, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is described and controversial topics, such as total vs. partial fundoplication, and the natural history of Barrett's esophagus after antireflux surgery are addressed.     

Nonacid reflux in patients with chronic cough on acid-suppressive therapy

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that extraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and their persistence despite acid-suppressive therapy are poor prognostic factors for antireflux surgery. Recent studies indicating that cough can be temporally associated with reflux episodes of pH 4 to 7 (ie, nonacid reflux) reinvigorates the need for a more careful workup in patients with cough suspected to be due to GERD. Aim: To evaluate the frequency of chronic cough associated with nonacid reflux and the response of these patients to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with persistent cough despite twice-daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with or without the use of nighttime regimens of histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), who had undergone combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring. The association of cough and reflux was evaluated by calculating the symptom index (SI) [positive if > or = 50%]. A subset of patients with positive SI values for impedance-detected reflux with therapy was referred for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: Of 50 patients (38 female patients; mean age, 43 years; age range, 6 months to 84 years) who were monitored while receiving therapy, 13 patients (26%) had a positive SI for cough. The SI-positive group had a lower percentage of female patients and patients of younger age compared to the SI-negative group. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed in six SI-positive patients who became asymptomatic and stopped receiving acid-suppressive therapy during follow-up evaluations (median time, 17 months; range, 12 to 27 months). CONCLUSION: Impedance pH monitoring should be performed while receiving therapy in patients with persistent symptoms who are receiving PPI therapy. A positive SI for nonacid reflux may be helpful in selecting patients who will benefit from antireflux surgery.     

Duodenogastroesophageal reflux: results of medical treatment and antireflux surgery

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies have shown that reflux of the duodenal content to the esophagus plays an important role in esophageal mucosal damage. The aim of the study is to compare the duodenogastroesophageal (DGER) reflux with the severity of reflux esophagitis and evaluate its response to either medical and/or antireflux surgery. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-six patients with DGER were subjected to thorough history, upper GI endoscopy, barium study, esophageal manometry and 24-hr esophageal pH metry combined with Bilitec 2000. Medical treatment was given for all, while Nissen fundoplication was done for 28 patients. All patients were evaluated after Nissen fundoplication and treatment. RESULTS: The age of studied patients was 36.26+/-12.7 years with male to female ratio 2:1. The chief symptom was heartburn in 73 (76%) patients. Upper GI endoscopy revealed, 30 (31.2%) patients had grade I reflux, 30 (31.2%) patients had grade II reflux, 7 patients had grade III reflux, 5 patients had grade VI reflux, Barrett's esophagus in 14 patients (14.5%), hiatus hernia (HH) in 26 (27%) patients. Barium study revealed that, 40 (41.6%) patients had evidence of reflux, while 34 (35.4%) patients had reflux with HH. Esophageal motility revealed the mean LESP (12.7+/-7.6), 68 patients (70.8%) had normotensive body while ineffective esophageal body motility was encountered in 28 (29.1%) patients. Esophageal 24-hr pH study and Bilitec 2000 revealed that 54 (56.2%) patients had bile reflux with pathological acid reflux, while 42 (43.7%) patients had bile reflux in alkaline pH. Medical treatment gave excellent to good response in 68 (70.8%) patients, while Nissen fundoplication was done for 28 (29.2%) patients. Endoscopic examination 6 months after Nissen fundoplication showed marked improvement in endoscopic injury. Barium study after Nissen fundoplication revealed repair of HH and control of GERD in all patients except one. Esophageal motility, 24 hr pH study and Bilitec 2000, after 6 months of Nissen shows high significant increase in LESP, decrease in acid and bile reflux. No significant difference between open or laparoscopic fundoplication in LESP, acid and bile reflux. CONCLUSIONS: DGER in acid medium is more injurious to the esophagus than DGER in alkaline pH. The severity of esophageal injury does not correlate with the severity of acid or bile reflux but has a direct correlation with impaired distal esophageal motility. Medical treatment gives satisfactory control of symptoms and healing of esophageal lesion in 70% of DGER. The response to medical treatment does not depend on the severity of esophageal injury but depends on the severity of bile and acid reflux. Nissen fundoplication in refractory patients, either open or laparoscopic, was effective in control of heartburn in 95% of patients contrary to 50% in mixed symptoms.     

腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术与腹腔镜前180°部分胃底折叠术后5年临床效果的比较

目的:随机对照研究腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术及镜前180°部分胃底折叠术2种手术方式在术后5年的临床效果.方法:2006-03/12共有107例接受腹腔镜抗反流手术的患者随机分入腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术组和腹腔镜前180°部分胃底折叠术组,各组均采用标准手术操作.术后定期随访,对随访记录包括有无烧心反酸、吞咽困难、胀气症状、嗳气、是否排气过多等症状及手术满意度等进行主观评分.临床数据进行统计分析.结果:两组之间烧心症状以及服用质子泵抑制剂的比例没有显著性差异.出现吞咽困难的比例无明显差异,但是前胃底折叠术组患者吞咽困难的程度比Nissen组患者明显较轻.Nissen组的患者出现上腹胀气、无法有效嗳气及排气过多的比例较高.两组的总体临床效果满意度基本相同.术后5年大多数患者没有或只有轻微的反流症状.结论:腹腔镜前180°部分胃底折叠术抗反流效果持久,术后出现并发症及不良反应的比例明显低于Nissen胃底折叠术.腹腔镜前180°部分胃底折叠术可以作为临床治疗胃食管反流性疾病的常规手术方式.     

Esophageal angulation after hiatoplasty and fundoplication: a cause of dysphagia?

Hiatoplasty is generally considered an essential part of antireflux operations. Posterior closure of an enlarged hiatus may lead to anterior displacement of the esophagus and it may be contributory to postoperative dysphagia. The aims of this study were to (i) measure the normal esophageal anteroposterior angulation, (ii) evaluate the variation of the angulation after laparoscopic hiatoplasty and fundoplication, and (iii) correlate the angulation with postoperative dysphagia. Normal esophageal anteroposterior angle determined by barium preoperative barium esophagram was evaluated based on the study of 100 patients. Postoperative angulation was evaluated based on the study of 32 patients who underwent barium esophagram after laparoscopic hiatoplasty and fundoplication. The results showed that the normal esophageal anteroposterior angle was 150.4 ± 10.7 (range 119–169) degrees. There was no correlation between the angle and gender ( P  = 0.6) or age ( P  = 0.1). Postoperative angle averaged 146.6 ± 11.7 (range 122–170) degrees. Normal and post-operative angle were not different ( P  = 0.1). The difference between post- and preoperative angle averaged 0.7 ± 8.9 (range –15–14). There was no statistically significant difference when pre- and post-operative angles were compared ( P  = 0.6). De novo dysphagia was present in 31% of the 32 postoperative patients. There was no statistically significant difference when the angles in patients with and without de novo dysphagia were compared ( P  = 0.2). We concluded that (i) laparoscopic hiatoplasty and fundoplication does not significantly change the esophageal anteroposterior angle; and (ii) de novo dysphagia is not with the esophageal anteroposterior angle.     

Quality of life and surgical outcome after laparoscopic antireflux surgery in the elderly gastroesophageal reflux disease patient

BACKGROUND: Generally, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the elderly follows the same principles as for any adult patient. Currently laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) has not been clearly established in the elderly patient. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the surgical outcome including quality of life after LARS in patients older than 65 years. METHODS: Since 1993 more than 500 patients underwent LARS in our institute. A total of 72 patients, older than 65 years, has been treated with laparoscopic 'floppy' Nissen (n = 51) or Toupet (n = 21) fundoplication. The patients included 23 women and 49 men, with a mean age of 71 years (range, 66-79 years). Quality of life was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The GIQLI was evaluated prior to surgery, and 3 months and 1 year after surgery, with 24-h pH monitoring and esophageal manometry being performed. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications occurred in two patients (both injury of the spleen), successfully managed laparoscopically. Conversion to laparotomy and mortality were 0%. Postoperative complications occurred twice: one patient had a perianal thrombosis; one had an epileptic seizure. Three months and 1 year after surgery 24-h pH monitoring (mean DeMeester score: preoperative, 61.4+/-23.7; 3 months, 8.4+/-6.4; 1 year, 7.8+/-7.2) and esophageal manometry (mean: preoperative, 2.3 = 1.8 mmHg; 3 months, 13.9+/-3.7 mmHg; 1 year, 12.3+/-3.2 mmHg) showed normal values in all patients. GIQLI increased significantly (mean: preoperative, 86+/-9.7 points; 3 months, 120.1+/-8.9 points; 1 year, 119.3+/-10.1 points) after surgery and is comparable to healthy individuals (118.7 points). One patient suffered from severe dysphagia and required dilatation. In two patients laparoscopic refundoplication was necessary 1 year after the initial procedure because of a 'slipping Nissen' and a 'telescope phenomenon'. Three years after LARS (n = 32) data are comparable to I year after surgery. CONCLUSION: As our data show, LARS can be a safe and effective procedure that significantly improves quality of life in the elderly patient suffering from GERD. Age should no longer be a contraindication to LARS.