FUNDOPLICATION IN CHILDREN: EXPERIENCE WITH 106 CASES

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a physiological problem in infancy that can become pathological and life-threatening in certain cases. Fundoplication has been shown previously to be effective in the control of this problem when medical therapy fails. Methods: A retrospective review of the hospital records and the Department of Paediatric Surgery database was carried out, in order to demonstrate the Prince of Wales Children Hospital's (POWCH) experience with 106 fundoplications between February 1989 and March 1993. Results: There was a failure rate of 7.5% and a long-term mortality rate of 7.8%. The children most at risk of mortality and morbidity are shown to be the neurologically impaired. The special problems associated with these children as compared with neurologically normal children with pathological GOR are discussed and the literature reviewed. Conclusion: Fundoplication is shown to be a safe operation that can be life-saving in certain circumstances.     

Success of laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background. We explored the efficacy of laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) in patients with uncomplicated, medically recalcitrant pathologic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for whom we previously would have recommended open surgical repair.

Methods. From January 1994 to January 1998, we performed LF on 150 patients (80 men and 70 women) with GERD recalcitrant to maximal medical therapy. No patient suffered from esophageal stricture or epithelial dysplasia; however 16% (24 of 150) had benign Barrett’s mucosa. Preoperative esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing were obtained in 93% (139 of 150) and 89% (134 of 150) of patients, respectively. Nissen LF (n = 123), Toupet LF (n = 26), or Dor LF (n = 1) were accomplished over a large (54 F) intraesophageal bougie. Preoperative (1 month) and postoperative (>6 month) symptom scoring were assessed on a 0 to 10 scale. Thirty-eight patients with a greater than 6-month postoperative period had manometry and pH studies performed.

Results. The laparoscopic approach was successful in 99% (148 of 150) of patients, and there has been no mortality. Operative time was 160 ± 59 minutes. Open conversion was required for 2 patients: because of difficulty with dissection owing to adhesions in 1 case and due to perforation in another. Reoperation was required for 5 patients (1 paraesophageal, 2 dysphagia, 2 recurrent reflux). Major postoperative complications involved stroke and pancreatitis in 1 patient each. Mean hospital stay was 2.6 ± 1.2 days, full activity resumed by 7 days. Postoperative esophageal pH testing among 38 patients tested more than 6 months after operation demonstrated normal esophageal acid exposure in all but 2. GERD symptoms were relieved at 1 month, 6 months, and after 1 year in 95% (128 of 135), 94% (99 of 105), and 93% (65 of 70) of patients, respectively.

Conclusions. Intermediate-term results with LF suggest this to be a reasonable approach to surgical management of medically recalcitrant uncomplicated GERD. Thoracic surgeons interested in GERD should become familiar with minimally invasive surgical approaches.     

成人贲门弛缓症（附2例报告）

报告２例罕见的成人贲门弛缓症，此２例的特点是均有进食呕吐症状，食管吞钡及纤维食管镜检查见贲门明显增宽，胃粘膜突入贲门内，贲门区压力明显降低，经腹部分胃底折叠术治愈，文中结合报告的病例，对诊断，鉴别诊断和治疗原则进行了讨论。     

Peritoneal host defenses are less impaired by laparoscopy than by open operation

There is a growing body of evidence that laparoscopic surgery is physiologically less injurious than open surgery. We hypothesized that the open technique results in a greater impairment of peritoneal and systemic defense mechanisms than does the laparoscopic technique. Nissen fundoplication, standardized in technique and duration, was performed in 16 pigs. The procedure was performed through a standard midline incision (OPEN, n=8) or with laparoscopic technique and CO₂ pneumoperitoneum (LAP, n=8). The peritoneal cavity was instilled with 400 cc of normal saline, either alone (not contamined, n=8) or containing 10⁹ E. coli/ml (contaminated, n=8). Quantitative cultures, cell count, and flow cytometry were performed on blood and peritoneal fluid samples obtained at timed intervals. We found that host defense processes were better preserved after LAP than by OPEN surgery. Peritoneal and systemic monocyte class II antigen expression, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity was greater in the OPEN group compared with the LAP group, but peritoneal bacterial clearance was more efficient in the LAP group. These data may illustrate a potential benefit of laparoscopic surgery in cases of peritoneal contamination.Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Nashville, TN, USA, 18–19 April 1994Dr. Collet is from the University of Bordeaux, France, and was a visiting Research Fellow     

LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF PNEUMATIC DILATATION RESISTANT ACHALASIA

Three patients with achalasia, who were successfully managed by laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Nissen fundoplication, are described. Each patient had failed to respond to two pneumatic dilatations of the oesophagus.     

Heller myotomy vs Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication

Background The addition of a Dor antireflux procedure reduces the risk of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by ninefold following laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. It is not clear, however, how these benefits compare with the increased cost of the fundoplication. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication compared with Heller alone in patients with achalasia. Methods We conducted a cost–utility analysis using the Markov simulation model to examine the two treatment alternatives. The model estimated the total expected costs of each strategy over a 10-year time horizon. Data for the model were derived from our randomized clinical trial. The strategies were compared using the method of incremental cost-effectiveness analysis. Results The incidence of pathologic GER was 47.6% (10 of 21 patients) in the Heller group and 9.1% (2 of 22 patients) in the Heller plus Dor group using an intention-to-treat analysis (p = 0.005). Heller plus Dor was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of GERD (relative risk 0.11; 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.59; p = 0.01). The cost of surgery was significantly higher for Heller plus Dor than for Heller alone (mean difference $942; p = 0.04), secondary to a longer operating room time (mean difference 40 min; p = 0.01). At a time horizon of 10 years, when proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy costs are considered, the cost–utility analysis demonstrates that Heller plus Dor surgery is associated with a total cost of $6,861 per patient and a quality-adjusted life expectancy of 9.9 years, whereas Heller-alone surgery is associated with a cost of $9,541 per patient and a quality-adjusted life expectancy of 9.5 years. Conclusions In achalasia patients, Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication is preferred to Heller alone because it is both more effective in preventing postoperative GERD and more cost-effective at a time horizon of 10 years. Presented at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) meeting, Hollywood, FL, USA, 13–16 April 2005     

Optimization of outcome after laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Laparoscopic fundoplication has emerged as an effective treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The majority of patients who have undergone antireflux surgery report an improvement in reflux symptoms and in quality of life. However, some patients are dissatisfied with the outcome of antireflux surgery, and attempts have been made by surgeons to improve the results of this surgery. Careful case selection based on objective evidence of acid reflux, refinement of the surgical technique and 'tailoring' the wrap to suit the patient by selective use of a partial fundoplication may help to optimize the outcome from laparoscopic antireflux surgery.     

Early recognition and aggressive treatment of gastroesophageal reflux following repair of esophageal atresia

Twelve patients with gastroesophageal reflux following repair of esophageal atresia are presented. Reflux produced recurrent stricture, failure to thrive, repeated pneumonitis, and in one patient, respiratory arrest and nearly death. Treatment consists of positional therapy or fundoplication operation both of which seem less successful in this combination of lesions than with GER and a normal esophagus. There was one death as a late postoperative complication of fundoplication.     

Esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter pressure profiles 6 and 24 months after laparoscopic fundoplication and their association with postoperative dysphagia

Background: It has been suggested that antireflux surgery may cause an improvement in esophageal motor function (EMF) and lead to reduced postoperative dysphagia. Methods: We evaluated the changes in dysphagia symptom scores and esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressures in patients before (n= 381), at 6 months (n= 260), and at 24 months (n= 97) after laparoscopic fundoplication. Results: There was a significant increase in LES basal and nadir pressure following surgery in all patients and an improvement in EMF only in patients with poor preoperative esophageal motor function. A total of 76% of the patients reported no dysphagia or an improved dysphagia score 6 and 24 months after surgery. This improvement was more marked in patients with poor EMF. An improvement in EMF did not correlate with the improvement in dysphagia score reported by other patients. Patients with increased dysphagia scores 2 years after surgery had significantly higher LES basal and nadir pressures as compared to other patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is associated with an overall reduction in dysphagia scores and leads to an improvement in esophageal motor function in patients with poor preoperative esophageal motility. Tightness and inadequate relaxation of the wrap during swallowing may be a determinant of long-term dysphagia. Received: 5 May 1997/Accepted: 19 August 1997     

The effect of fundoplication on proliferative and anti-apoptotic activity of esophageal mucosa in gastroesophageal reflux disease: 4-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: The capacity of fundoplication to prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma is controversial. Development of cancer is associated with proliferation and anti‐apoptosis, for which little data exist as to their response to fundoplication. Therefore, we wanted to clarify the effect of fundoplication on the magnitude of Ki‐67 and B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) during 48 months of follow up. METHODS: Ki‐67 and Bcl‐2 were assessed quantitatively from biopsies of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and from the distal and proximal esophagus of 20 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treated by fundoplication. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months for 20 patients and 48 months for 16 patients, respectively. Ki‐67 and Bcl‐2 were compared to those of 7 controls. RESULTS: Compared to the preoperative level, Ki‐67 was elevated in the distal (P = 0.012) and proximal (P = 0.007) esophagus at 48 months. Compared to control values, Ki‐67 was lower at 6 months in the EGJ (P = 0.037) and the proximal esophagus (P = 0.003) and higher at 48 months in the distal esophagus (P = 0.002). Compared to control values, Bcl‐2 was lower at 6 months in the EGJ (P = 0.038). Correlations between Ki‐67 and Bcl‐2 were positive in the EGJ (P > 0.001) and in the distal (P = 0.001) and proximal esophagus (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Proliferative activity after fundoplication increased during long‐term follow up in the distal esophagus despite a normal fundic wrap and objective healing of GERD.