Gastroesophageal reflux. pH probe-directed therapy.

Two groups of newborns and infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were retrospectively analyzed for the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic guidance offered by extended intraesophageal pH monitoring. There were 28 patients in group I whose major presenting sign was recurrent pneumonia due to GER, and 22 patients in group II, with apnea caused by GER. The pH probe was 100% accurate in identifying the presence of GER. Barium esophagram was accurate 46% of the time. The pH probe accurately identified the appropriate mode of therapy in all patients. In the medically treated GER/Pneumonia group, the mean number of episodes of GER per 24 hours was 24, whereas in the surgical group the mean number was 63. Similarly, in the medically treated GER/Apnea group, the mean number of reflux episodes per 24 hours was 26, whereas the surgical group experienced 64. Had the pH probe been used to guide therapy, no patient would have been treated inappropriately. The number of patients in this report is not large. Prospective verification of these observations is required before this methodology can be utilized routinely in patients with GER.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: symptoms versus pH monitoring results.

OBJECTIVES: The reason why some patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have symptoms of upper aerodigestive system irritation, while others mainly have gastroenterologic symptoms, is not well established. This retrospective case series study was designed to examine the existence of a correlation between symptoms and reflux characteristics, based on data obtained from esophageal pH monitoring. METHODS: The study population consisted of 139 patients; 97 patients presented with laryngopharyngeal symptoms of GERD, including unexplained hoarseness, throat clearing, chronic cough, laryngospasm, globus, throat pain, and 42 patients presented with gastroenterologic symptoms, including heartburn and regurgitation. The results of 24-hour, double-channel ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring were analyzed comparing 2 symptom groups. The incidence of abnormal acid reflux at the upper and lower esophageal segments and the effects of upright and supine positions on reflux parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of laryngopharyngeal reflux was significantly higher in the laryngopharyngeal symptom group than in the other (52% versus 38%). The patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux from both groups showed no significant differences in terms of number of acid reflux episodes, percentage of times pH was 4, and esophageal acid clearance. Upright and supine parameters did not show significant differences between the patient groups. Upright acid reflux episodes were, however, common in both groups at the lower esophageal and laryngopharyngeal segments. CONCLUSION: Recent studies suggesting that otolaryngologic patients commonly show upright, daytime reflux with normal esophageal clearance and that typical GERD patients commonly have supine, nocturnal reflux with prolonged esophageal clearance are not supported by this study. This study indicates that acid reflux parameters and positional changes are not sufficient to explain why patients with GERD experience different symptoms. The regional symptoms of GERD may be attributed to the impairment of epithelial resistance, motor activity, and buffering systems for the esophageal antireflux barrier.     

Gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration of gastric contents in anesthetic practice

General anesthesia may predispose patients to aspiration of gastroesophageal contents because of depression of protective reflexes during loss of consciousness. In addition, some patients may be at increased risk of pulmonary aspiration because of retention of gastric contents caused by pain, inadequate starvation, or gastrointestinal pathology resulting in reduced gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux. Despite increasing knowledge of the problems associated with aspiration, the relatively small incidence and associated mortality rates in the perioperative period do not appear to have changed markedly over the last few decades. In this review article, the physiological factors associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration are considered together with some of the methods that are used to prevent aspiration. In particular, preoperative starvation, the use of drugs designed to increase gastric pH, recent developments in airway devices, and appropriate application of cricoid pressure are critically appraised.     

Gastroesophageal reflux in childhood. The dilemma of surgical success.

Successful surgical correction of gastroesophageal reflux has prompted frequent and early referral of children for antireflux surgery. This report describes the results and defines the complications in a series of children treated surgically for gastroesophageal reflux. Methods are suggested to reduce the occurrence of these postoperative complications. In five years (1977-1981), 117 children, 3 weeks to 16 years old, were operated on for gastroesophageal reflux at The Oklahoma Childrens Memorial Hospital. Nissen fundoplication was performed on 111 of them. Patients have been followed for 3 months to five years. At most recent examination, clinical success (remission of symptoms) has been accomplished in 81 of 92 patients (90%). In 86 patients evaluated radiographically, gastroesophageal reflux was absent in 83 and persistent in 3. There were no operative deaths. Twenty-three major complications occurred in 21 patients, 13 of whom required reoperation. These major complications were paraesophageal hiatal hernia (ten patients), small bowel obstruction (eight patients), and wrap malalignment (5 patients). Observations of and reoperation on these children suggests the following necessary steps for avoidance of complications in children: (1) Nissen fundoplication in childhood should be accompanied by an accurate multi-suture crural repair and by suture fixation of the fundal wrap to the crura and to the abdominal surface of the diaphragm; (2) appropriate alignment of the fundal wrap and of the crural repair is best accomplished with a large indwelling esophageal bougie of sufficient size to efface and blanche the esophageal musculature; and (3) appropriate care in avoiding small bowel obstruction mandates meticulous avoidance of trauma to the liver capsule and small bowel serosa.     

Gastroesophageal reflux and respiratory manifestations: diagnostic approach, therapeutic indications and results

The authors report a study of 140 patients presenting with a non-allergic respiratory tract disease (121 cases of asthma--19 cases of spasmodic cough). Gastro-oesophageal reflux was detected by 24-hour pHmetry in 86 of these patients. In 34 of them (i.e. 40% of cases), the gastro-oesophageal reflux appeared to be responsible for the initial respiratory tract symptoms. These 34 patients were submitted to a therapeutic trial of high dose anti-H2 therapy for at least two months. Only those patients in whom a marked improvement or even complete resolution of the respiratory tracts symptoms was observed underwent anti-reflux surgery. Out of the 13 patients undergoing surgery, there were two failures and 11 good results after a follow-up of more than 18 months.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in asthma: effects of medical and surgical antireflux therapy on asthma control

OBJECTIVE: To critique the English-language reports describing the effects of medical and surgical antireflux therapy on respiratory symptoms and function in patients with asthma. METHODS: The Medline computerized database (1959-1999) was searched, and all publications relating to both asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease were retrieved. RESULTS: Seven of nine trials of histamine-receptor antagonists showed a treatment-related improvement in asthma symptoms, with half of the patients benefiting. Only one study identified a beneficial effect on objective measures of pulmonary function. Three of six trials of proton pump inhibitors documented improvement in asthma symptoms with treatment; benefit was seen in 25% of patients. Half of the studies reported improvement in pulmonary function, but the effect occurred in fewer than 15% of patients. In the one study that used optimal antisecretory therapy, asthma symptoms were improved in 67% of patients and pulmonary function was improved in 20%. Combined data from 5 pediatric and 14 adult studies of anti-reflux surgery indicated that almost 90% of children and 70% of adults had improvement in respiratory symptoms, with approximately one third experiencing improvements in objective measures of pulmonary function. CONCLUSIONS: Fundoplication has been consistently shown to ameliorate reflux-induced asthma; results are superior to the published results of antisecretory therapy. Optimal medical therapy may offer similar results, but large studies providing support for this assertion are lacking.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A review of surgical decision making

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a very common disorder with increasing prevalence. It is estimated that up to 20%-25% of Americans experience symptoms of GERD weekly. Excessive reflux of acidic often with alkaline bile salt gastric and duodenal contents results in a multitude of symptoms for the patient including heartburn, regurgitation, cough, and dysphagia. There are also associated complications of GERD including erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, stricture and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. While first line treatments for GERD involve mainly lifestyle and non-surgical therapies, surgical interventions have proven to be effective in appropriate circumstances. Anti-reflux operations are aimed at creating an effective barrier to reflux at the gastroesophageal junction and thus attempt to improve physiologic and mechanical issues that may be involved in the pathogenesis of GERD. The decision for surgical intervention in the treatment of GERD, moreover, requires an objective confirmation of the diagnosis. Confirmation is achieved using various preoperative evaluations including: ambulatory p H monitoring, esophageal manometry, upper endoscopy(esophagogastroduodenoscopy) and barium swallow. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis and with appropriate patient criteria met, an antireflux operation is a good alternative to prolonged medical therapy. Currently, minimally invasive gastroesophageal fundoplication is the gold standard for surgical intervention of GERD. Our review outlines the many factors that are involved in surgical decisionmaking. We will review the prominent features that reflect appropriate anti-reflux surgery and present suggestions that are pertinent to surgical practices, based on evidence-based studies.     

Gastric reflux and pulmonary aspiration in anaesthesia

Although aspiration is a relatively rare event during anaesthesia, it represent an important cause of anaesthesia related mortality and also of ventilator associated pneumonia in intensive care unit. The incidence of aspiration is markedly increased after trauma owing to the risk of recent ingestion of food, depression of consciousness and airways reflexes, and gastric stasis induced by raised sympathoadrenal tone. The factors which contribute to the likelihood of aspiration include the urgency of surgery, airways problems, inadequate depth of anaesthetic, use of the lithotomy position, gastrointestinal problems, depressed consciousness, increased severity of illness and obesity. Factors that predispose to aspiration pneumonia are: a gastric content with a pH less than 2.5 and a gastric volume of 0.4 ml kg-1; a reduction in lower oesophageal sphincter tone; a reduction of upper oesophageal sphincter tone and a not coordination between the pharyngeal muscle and the upper oesophageal sphincter tone during swallowing; and a depression of protective airway reflexes. Methods to minimize regurgitation and aspiration involve control of gastric contents (preoperative starvation is the method universal accepted), application of cricoid pressure and control of the airways.     

Gastroesophageal reflux after repair of atrioventricular septal defect in infants with trisomy 21: a comparison of medical and surgical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux and dysmotility are common in children with trisomy 21. Children with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease are at increased risk for complications of gastroesophageal reflux even after repair of their cardiac abnormalities. The optimal management of reflux in these patients is not known. METHODS: The authors studied 24 consecutive infants (5.3+/-3.1 months) with trisomy 21 and atrioventricular septal defect who had symptoms or signs of gastroesophageal reflux and a positive esophageal pH study finding early after repair of their cardiac anomaly. Ten patients were given standardized medical therapy with upright positioning during and after feedings, thickening of feedings, metoclopramide, and an H2-receptor antagonist. The other 14 underwent primary surgical management consisting of Nissen fundoplication through a minilaparotomy. RESULTS: All 10 medically treated patients required readmission within 2 weeks for complications related to reflux, including aspiration or pneumonia (n = 6), persistent failure to thrive (n = 2), and frequent apneic episodes (n = 2). No surgically treated patients had reflux-related complications requiring readmission. The total duration of hospitalization in the medically treated patients, including the initial hospitalization and the rehospitalization, was significantly longer than in patients who underwent fundoplication (35.8+/-9.8 v. 10.4+/-2.2 days, P<.001). At follow-up (24 to 56 months), all patients were alive except for 1 medically treated patient who died of aspiration pneumonia 28 days after readmission. Two medically treated patients required a Nissen, and 3 patients in the surgical group underwent redo fundoplication, all within 1 year. Three other patients in the medically treated group required a total of 8 hospitalizations for complications of reflux. No patient in either group required placement of a gastrostomy tube. Weight percentile for age was higher in surgical than medical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with trisomy 21 and atrioventricular septal defect who undergo fundoplication are less likely to experience major complications of reflux early after cardiac surgery than those treated with a medical regimen of upright posture, thickened feedings, metoclopramide, and H2-receptor blockade.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease complicating laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: current knowledge and surgical therapies

BackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. However, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after LSG is high.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review was to identify the optimal surgical strategy for treating GERD after LSG.SettingWest China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on surgical treatments for GERD after LSG. The effectiveness and safety profile of surgical management on GERD after LSG were analyzed.ResultsA total of 40 articles enrolling 2049 patients were included in this review. Surgical strategies to prevent GERD after LSG were mainly of 2 types: concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures (hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication) and secondary procedures (conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or repeat sleeve gastrectomy). The short-term remission or improvement rate of GERD was 34.6%–100% after concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures. The postoperative complication rate was the same (3.0%) for both LSG + antireflux procedures and LSG alone. The remission or improvement rate of GERD was 57.1%–100% after conversion to RYGB and 100% after repeat sleeve gastrectomy.ConclusionsThe effectiveness and safety profile of concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures is uncertain. However, secondary operations after LSG, such as conversion to RYGB, appear to provide good results. The data overall are heterogeneous, with imprecise methods of documenting and defining GERD complicating LSG. More cohort studies or RCT studies of high quality with long-term follow-up are needed in the future.