Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication Plus Mid-gastric Plication for Treatment of Obese Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly associated with obesity, and its surgical management is debatable.

Objective

The objective of this study was to prove the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic Nissen’s fundoplication (LNF) combined with mid-gastric plication (MGP) for treatment of obese patients with GERD.

Methods

LNF combined with MGP was done for 18 patients. All interventions were performed under general anesthesia. The follow-up protocol included body mass index (BMI), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL), and clinical assessment using the Gastro-esophageal Reflux Health-Related Quality-of-Life (GERD-HRQOL) scale at 6 and 12 months.

Results

The period of follow-up ranged from 12 to 33 months with a mean of 17.74 ± 3.73 months. The operation time was 1.40 ± 0.27 h. No serious procedure-related complications occurred. GERD-related symptoms resolved in all patients (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvment in endoscopic findings at 6 months compared to properatively (p = 0.001). There was a significant patient satisfaction score using GERD-HRQOL at 6 and 12 months (p = 0.000). The 1-year follow-up excess weight was significantly less than the baseline excess weight (p < 0.001). The average BMI decreased from 37.59 ± 1.89 kg/m² at baseline to 30.61 ± 1.57 kg/m² at 1 year (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

LNF combined with MGP for treatment of obese patients with GERD is technically safe, feasible, and promising with no serious procedure-related complications. The technique is effective in terms of weight loss and cure of GERD. However, future larger studies are required to demonstrate the safety, effectiveness, and long-term durability of the procedure.