Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Background: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is currently a growing field in endoscopic surgery. The purpose of the Consensus Development Conference was to summarize the state of the art of laparoscopic antireflux operations in June 1996. Methods: Thirteen internationally known experts in gastroesophageal reflux disease were contacted by the conference organization team and asked to participate in a Consensus Development Conference. Selection of the experts was based on clinical expertise, academic activity, community influence, and geographical location. According to the criteria for technology assessment, the experts had to weigh the current evidence on the basis of published results in the literature. A preconsensus document was prepared and distributed by the conference organization team. During the E.A.E.S. conference, a consensus document was prepared in three phases: closed discussion in the expert group, public discussion during the conference, and final closed discussion by the experts. Results: Consensus statements were achieved on various aspects of gastroesophageal reflux disease and current laparoscopic treatment with respect to indication for operation, technical details of laparoscopic procedures, failure of operative treatment, and complete postoperative follow-up evaluation. The strength of evidence in favor of laparoscopic antireflux procedures was based mainly on type II studies. A majority of the experts (6/10) concluded in an overall assessment that laparoscopic antireflux procedures were better than open procedures. Conclusions: Further detailed studies in the future with careful outcome assessment are necessary to underline the consensus that laparoscopic antireflux operations can be recommended. Received: 29 November 1996/Accepted: 14 December 1996     

Sequelae of antireflux surgery in profoundly disabled children.

Between 1976 and 1989 an antireflux operation (193 Nissen; 5 Thal) was performed in 198 children with profound neurological impairment (NI). Etiology of the NI was a syndrome in 24%, congenital in 30%, and acquired in 46%. The most frequent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), vomiting and pneumonia, were significantly reduced (P less than .05) after the antireflux operation. Postoperatively, 141 children (71%) developed return of one or more symptoms that had been preoperatively associated with GER, whereas 57 patients (29%) remained asymptomatic. Of the children with symptoms, 86 (61%) underwent diagnostic testing to exclude recurrent GER and 55 (39%) had no diagnostic evaluation. Recurrent GER was documented in 31 patients and a mechanical problem with the fundoplication in 18 children, an operative failure rate of 25%. The symptom-free interval following the antireflux operation averaged 11 months postoperatively; return of symptoms showed no statistical relationship to the etiology of NI, presence of seizures, or degree of muscle tone. The majority of children required multiple outpatient or emergency department visits for evaluation of these symptoms or assessment of gastrostomy tube problems. Survival of all children was 71% at an average postoperative follow-up of 3.5 years.     

Indications for antireflux surgery in Barrett's

One of the most common complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease is Barrett's esophagus. Medical therapy for this condition is not very effective and does not seem to be able to control the occurence and progression of the disease. In contrast, there is some evidence that effective antireflux surgery does have a slowing effect on the occurence and the progression of Barrett's esophagus. There is also some evidence that the progression of Barrett's to high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma is less after antireflux surgery than during medical therapy. Antireflux surgery should be considered in patients with Barrett's who have a large hiatal hernia, dysplasia, a weak lower esophageal sphincter pressure, failed medical therapy, noncompliance to medications, and young age.     

Use of the harmonic scalpel (Ultracision) in laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can effectively be treated by laparoscopic fundoplication. A new multifunctional device has recently been introduced, Ultracision (UC), which can be expected to be especially effective in laparoscopy. Since 9/1995 laparoscopic fundoplication is being performed at our institution. We routinely divide the "short-gastric vessels" and have been using clip-appliers and Endo-GIAs before dividing the vessels with endo-scissors. Since 2/1997 we also use the UC, which applies ultrasonic energy to cause denaturing of proteins and subsequent hemostasis and dissection. This open, non-randomized study compares operative time, intra- and postoperative complications and conversion rates as well as costs of both methods. Between 2/1997 and 12/1997 20 consecutive patients received a floppy Nissen fundoplication by 2 surgeons. In 8 patients clips/EndoGIA were used (m:w = 5:3, mean age 52 years [33-69]), in 12 patients UC (m:W = 10:2, 53 years [25-74]) was used. 2 patients in each group had had previous open abdominal surgery. In the first group 2 procedures had to be converted to open surgery (1 bleeding, 1 anatomical problem), median operative time was 214 min (135-360). In the UC group all procedures were completed laparoscopically, median operative time 132 min (75-240). Postoperative major complication and mortality rates were 0 in both groups. Use of the harmonic scalpel reduced operative time and costs without increasing conversion rates and perioperative complications.     

Psychometric documentation of a quality-of-life questionnaire for patients undergoing antireflux surgery (QOLARS)

Background The purpose of our study was to develop a quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have undergone laparoscopic fundoplication. This questionnaire was developed to be more comprehensive than existing measures.Methods Between 1994 and 2002, 252 patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD in the 1^st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University. We undertook a retrospective analysis: each of 252 operated patients was given a questionnaire and was requested to complete it and return it in an enclosed envelope. A total of 116 patients returned completed questionnaires. The patients included 55 men and 61 women, with a mean age of 46 years (range 14–77). These patients were used in the psychometric evaluation. The questionnaire consisted of 50 questions (including the Visick score, EORTC-QLQ-C30, and a modified GERD-HRQL).Results Internal consistency reliability was high (alpha value overall, 0.95, range, 0.74–0.96). Using convergent and divergent validity, construct validity was evaluated by examining Pearson correlation coefficients between items and scales. Construct validity was demonstrated based on observed correlations. Known groups validity was upheld because patients who experienced more symptoms and patients who has higher Visick scores reported worse QoL than those with less symptoms or lower Visick scores.Conclusions Our questionnaire is a short and user-friendly instrument with excellent psychometric properties. It has been found to be valid and reliable.     

Indications for laparoscopic antireflux procedures in children

The decision for antireflux surgery is often made on an individual basis. How symptom patterns and therapeutic suggestions relate is debatable. There is a long list of differential diagnoses for vomiting not caused by disturbances of the lower esophageal sphincter. Guidelines for the clinical practice in gastroesophageal reflux have been established for children and for adult patients by the Genval Workshop Report and the Trondheim Consensus statement. Endoscopy is indicated if macroscopically visible lesions are to be expected. Routine endoscopic biopsy is not used in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). pH monitoring is performed in 33 to 77% of patients. If the most prominent symptoms are respiratory, radiographic studies and pH monitoring prove that the symptoms are really related to GERD. Best results with drugs are achieved by effective initial therapy. The effects of long-term treatment are little known. Failed long-term therapy, complications of esophagitis, recurrent aspiration, apnea or "near miss" sudden infant death syndrome, failure to thrive and anatomical abnormalities are indications for surgery. The superiority of laparoscopic antireflux surgery over open surgery depends on the experience of the surgeon. Some surgeons choose a "tailored approach", ie, perform a partial wrap in children with normal peristalsis, an extrashort "floppy" Nissen or a partial wrap for those with impaired peristalsis, and a slightly tighter 360-degree wrap in neurologically impaired children. Partial wraps allow vomiting, which is considered risky in neurologically impaired children.     

Incidence of later ureteral obstruction after antireflux surgery in infants and children

Forty infants and children who underwent antireflux surgery for primary reflux had long-term follow-up with intravenous pyelograms (IVP). The IVPs were evaluated for the incidence of late ureteral obstruction. Although 4 cases (5.5 per cent) of early ureteral obstruction were noted, no instances of late ureteral obstruction were found. After antireflux surgery, patients should have a follow-up IVP within the first six months to rule out the possibility of early ureteral obstruction. The need for performing periodic IVPs for many years postoperatively, when obstruction is absent in the immediate postoperative period, is questioned.     

Complications of gastroesophageal antireflux surgery in neurologically impaired versus neurologically normal children

Antireflux surgery was performed in 234 children over a 5-year period; 153 were neurologically impaired (NI) and 81 were neurologically normal (NN). Initial presentation, demographic data, and type of antireflux operation were similar in the two groups. Eighty-six percent of the NI group versus 30% of the NN group had gastrostomy tubes placed. The incidence of late postoperative complications was 26% in the NI group and 12% in the NN group (P less than .01). During the late postoperative period, NI children underwent reoperation four times as frequently as NN children (19% v 5%, respectively; P less than .01). Wrap herniation accounted for 38% of complications and 59% of reoperations in the late postoperative period. Mortality due to aspiration occurred in 9% of the NI group versus 1% of the NN group. Combined failure rate (reoperation plus aspiration-induced deaths) was 28% in NI and 6% in NN (P less than .01). We conclude that neurological status is the major predictor of operative success and that wrap herniation due to crural disruption is the most common cause of operative failure.     

Management of vesicoureteral reflux in children with neurogenic bladder--retrospective studies of antireflux surgery

During the last 3.5 years, 18 children and 9 adults with vesicoureteral reflux and neurogenic bladder dysfunction were seen at our hospital, and 11 children and 4 adults required antireflux surgery. The criteria of repair were progressive renal deterioration and/or uncontrollable urinary infection. Surgery was applied mainly to the conditions of detrusor hyperreflexia and/or lower urinary tract obstruction. The combined technique of Politano-Leadbetter and Glenn-Anderson was used in 8 children and 3 adults, and the Cohen technique was used in 3 children and 1 adult. Surgery was successful that is, cessation of reflux and no obstruction, was achieved in all but one patient, who had received radical hysterectomy previously. Though recurrent episodes of lower urinary tract infection persisted in some cases after operation, over-all usage of antibiotics was reduced. Seven children with reflux and uninhibited bladder, though some of them with high grade reflux, were managed successfully by anticholinergic drug or transcutaneous electrical stimulation.     

三种抗胃食管反流手术治疗婴幼儿食管裂孔疝的评估

目的　以食管动力学和胃食管反流评估食管裂孔疝 3种抗反流手术疗效。方法　 41例食管裂孔疝中滑疝 15例、旁疝 3例、混合疝 2 3例。年龄 2个月～ 3岁 ,体重 5 .5～ 9 5kg。食管裂孔修补加Dor手术 2 8例 ,加Toupet手术 10例 ,仅做单纯裂孔修补 3例。全组进行了手术前、后食管动力及 2 4h食管pH监测。结果　术后随访 3～ 2 4个月 ,优良者 37例 (90 2 4% ) ,术后早期胃排空延迟 1例 (Toupet手术组 )GI示食管下段狭窄 5例 ,但有明显吞咽困难仅 1例 (未做胃底折叠术组 ) ,伤口裂开 1例 (Dor手术组 )。术后 3例仍有呕吐 (Dor手术组 ) ,3例复发 (2例Dor手术组 ,1例Toupet手术组 )。全组手术前后LESP改变不明显P >0 0 5 ,LESL术后明显增长 ,Dor手术组 (1 93± 0 6 1)cm ,Toupet手术组 (1 78± 0 44 )cm ,三组之间差异无显著性。旁疝混合疝组中用Dor手术修补术后LESL(2 13± 0 6 1)cm ,增长较Toupet手术修补更为显著 [(1 71± 0 49)cm ,P <0 0 5 ]。全组术后 2 4h食管pH监测参数明显改善 ,并以Toupet手术改善最显著。结论　三种抗反流手术均能有效减轻胃食管反流 ,以Toupet手术效果最佳。     

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related airway disorder

A strong link exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and airway diseases. Surgical therapy has been recommended as it is more effective than medical therapy in the short term, but there is little data on the effectiveness of surgery long-term. We analyzed the long-term response of GERD-related airway disease after laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS). Methods In 2004, we contacted 128 patients with airway symptoms and GERD who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) between 12/1993 and 12/2002. At median follow-up of 53 months (19–110 mo) we studied the effects on symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, and medication use and we analyzed the data to determine predictors of successful resolution of airway symptoms. Results Cough, hoarseness, wheezing, sore throat, and dyspnea improved in 65-75% of patients. Heartburn improved in 91 % (105/116) of patients and regurgitation in 92% (90/98). The response rate for airway symptoms was the same in patients with and without heartburn. Almost every patient took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) preoperatively (99%, 127/128) and 61% (n = 78) were taking double or triple dose. Postoperatively, 33% (n = 45) of patients were using daily anti-acid therapy but no one was on double dose. The only factor that predicted a successful surgical outcome was the presence of abnormal reflux in the pharynx as determined by 24-hour pharyngeal pH monitoring. One hundred eleven (87%) patients rated their results as excellent (n = 78, 57%) or good (n = 33, 24%). Conclusion LARS provides an effective and durable barrier to reflux, and in so doing improves GERD-related airway symptoms in ∼70% of patients and improves typical GERD symptoms in ∼90% of patients. Pharyngeal pH monitoring identifies those patients more likely to benefit from LARS, but better diagnostic tools are needed to improve the response of airway symptoms to that of typical esophageal symptoms.