Does weight gain, throughout 15 years follow-up after Nissen laparoscopic fundoplication, compromise reflux symptoms control?

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is defined by the abnormal presence of gastric content in the esophagus, with 10% incidence in the Western population, being fundoplication one treatment option. AIM: To evaluate the early (six months) and late (15 years) effectiveness of laparoscopic fundoplication, the long term postoperative weight changes, as well as the impact of weight gain in symptoms control. METHODS: Prospective study of 40 subjects who underwent laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication. Preoperatively and early postoperatively, clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, manometric and pHmetric evaluations were carried out. After 15 years, clinical and endoscopic assessments were carried out and the results compared with the early ones. The presence or absence of obesity was stratified in both early and late phases, and its influence in the long-term results of fundoplication was studied, measuring quality of life according to the Visick criteria. RESULTS: The mean preoperative ages, weight, and body mass index were respectively, 51 years, 69.67 kg and 25.68 kg/m2. The intraoperative and postoperative complications rates were 12.5% and 15%, without mortality. In the early postoperative period the symptoms were well controlled, hernias and esophagitis disappeared, the lower esophageal sphincter had functional improvement, and pHmetry parameters normalized. In the late follow-up 29 subjects were assessed. During this period there was adequate clinical control of reflux regardless of weight gain. In both time periods Visick criteria improved. CONCLUSION: Fundoplication was safe and effective in early and late periods. There was late weight gain, which did not influence effective symptoms control.

Does weight gain, throughout 15 years follow-up after Nissen laparoscopic fundoplication, compromise reflux symptoms control? / O ganho do peso no seguimento de 15 anos após Nissen laparoscópico compromete o controle dos sintomas de refluxo?

ABSTRACT Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is defined by the abnormal presence of gastric content in the esophagus, with 10% incidence in the Western population, being fundoplication one treatment option. Aim: To evaluate the early (six months) and late (15 years) effectiveness of laparoscopic fundoplication, the long term postoperative weight changes, as well as the impact of weight gain in symptoms control. Methods: Prospective study of 40 subjects who underwent laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication. Preoperatively and early postoperatively, clinical, endoscopic, radiologic, manometric and pHmetric evaluations were carried out. After 15 years, clinical and endoscopic assessments were carried out and the results compared with the early ones. The presence or absence of obesity was stratified in both early and late phases, and its influence in the long-term results of fundoplication was studied, measuring quality of life according to the Visick criteria. Results: The mean preoperative ages, weight, and body mass index were respectively, 51 years, 69.67 kg and 25.68 kg/m2. The intraoperative and postoperative complications rates were 12.5% and 15%, without mortality. In the early postoperative period the symptoms were well controlled, hernias and esophagitis disappeared, the lower esophageal sphincter had functional improvement, and pHmetry parameters normalized. In the late follow-up 29 subjects were assessed. During this period there was adequate clinical control of reflux regardless of weight gain. In both time periods Visick criteria improved. Conclusion: Fundoplication was safe and effective in early and late periods. There was late weight gain, which did not influence effective symptoms control.

RESUMO Racional: A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico é definida pela presença anormal do conteúdo gástrico no esôfago com incidência de 10% na população ocidental, sendo a fundoplicatura uma das opções de tratamento. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade precoce (seis meses) e tardia (15 anos) da fundoplicatura laparoscópica, bem como a evolução ponderal pós-operatória em longo prazo, e o impacto do ganho de peso no controle tardio dos sintomas. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo com 40 indivíduos submetidos à fundoplicatura laparoscópica pela técnica de Nissen. No pré e pós-operatório precoce, foram realizadas avaliações clínica, endoscópica, radiológica, manométrica e pHmétrica. Após 15 anos, realizaram-se avaliações clínica e endoscópica, comparando-se os resultados com os da fase precoce. Estratificou-se a presença ou ausência de obesidade nestas fases e estudou-se sua influência nos resultados em longo prazo, mensurando-se a qualidade de vida pelos critérios de Visick. Resultados: As médias de idade, peso e do índice de massa corporal pré-operatórias foram 51 anos, 69.67 kg e 25,68 kg/m2. O índice de complicações intra e pós-operatórias foram 12,5% e 15%, sem mortalidade. No pós-operatório precoce houve controle dos sintomas, remissão das hérnias e esofagites, melhora funcional do esfíncter esofágico inferior e normalização dos parâmetros pHmétricos. No seguimento tardio, 29 indivíduos foram acompanhados. Nesta fase, houve adequado controle clínico do refluxo, independente do ganho de peso. Em ambas as fases houve melhora nos critérios de Visick. Conclusão: A fundoplicatura foi segura e efetiva, precoce e tardiamente. Houve ganho de peso tardio, o que não influenciou no controle efetivo dos sintomas.

Standard examination system for laparoscopy in penetrating abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: The high missed occult small bowel injuries (SBI) associated with laparoscopy in trauma (LIT) is a major reason why some surgeons still preclude LIT today. No standardized laparoscopic examination for evaluation of the peritoneal cavity is described for trauma. The objective of this article is to verify if a systematic standardized laparoscopic approach could correctly identify SBI in the peritoneal cavity for penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). METHODS: Victims with PAT were evaluated in a prospective, nonrandomized study. A total of 75 hemodynamically stable patients with suspected abdominal injuries were operated by LIT and converted to laparotomy if criteria were met: SBI and lesions to blind spot zones--retroperitoneal hematoma, injuries to segments VI or VII of the liver, or injuries to the posterior area of the spleen. Inclusion criteria were equivocal evidence of abdominal injuries or peritoneal penetration; systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg and <3 L of IV fluids in the first hour of admission; Glasgow Coma Scale score >12; and age >12 years. Exclusion criteria were back injuries; pregnancy; previous laparotomy; and chronic cardiorespiratory disease. RESULTS: Sixty patients were males and there were 38 stab wounds and 37 gunshot wounds. No SBI was missed, but a pancreatic lesion was undiagnosed due to a retroperitoneal hematoma. Twenty patients (26.6%) were converted. Unnecessary laparotomies were avoided in 73.33%. Therapeutic LIT was possible in 22.7%. Accuracy was 98.66% with 97.61% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Standard systematic laparoscopic exploration was 100% effective to detect SBI in the peritoneal cavity. Conversion from LIT to laparotomy should be done if injuries to blind spot zones are found which are poorly evaluated by LIT. Therapeutic LIT is feasible in PAT.