Outcome of laparoscopic redo fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has been no objective evidence for the effectiveness of laparoscopic redo fundoplication. We therefore reviewed our experience and based our analysis on a number of objective parameters. METHODS: We prospectively followed 28 consecutive patients (five men and 23 women; mean age, 48.64 +/- 2.57 years) who required redo fundoplication. These patients were part of a series of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications done between 1992 and 2001. The indications were recurrent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (21 patients), acute herniation of the wrap (three patients), and chronic paraesophageal hernia (four patients). A diagnosis of recurrent GERD was based on endoscopy, 24-h pH study, manometry, and symptom score evaluation. A diagnosis of paraesophageal and acute herniation was based on contrast swallow studies and/or gastroscopy. RESULTS: Twenty-six redo fundoplications were completed laparoscopically; two were converted to open. The mean operative time was 55.43 +/- 3.81 min. There were no intraoperative complications. The mean hospital stay was 3.0 +/- 0.35 days. Postoperative complications included postoperative pneumonia in one patient. Two patients from the laparoscopic group required a third operation-one for acute herniation of the redo wrap, which was fixed laparoscopically, and the other for acute recurrent paraesophageal hernia, which was fixed via an open transthoracic approach. The mean follow-up after revision is 25.14 +/- 3.48 months, with a significant decrease in acid reflux from 5.01% +/- 0.99 to 0.48% +/- 0.23 ( p < 0.0001), a significant decrease in symptom score from 28.96 +/- 2.93 to 10.75 +/- 2.61 ( p < 0.0001), and a small but significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure from 13.71 +/- 1.79 to 16.69 +/- 1.50 ( p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic redo fundoplication is technically feasible and clinically effective over a 2-year objective follow-up. Conversion and complication rates are low.

Does laparoscopic antireflux surgery prevent the occurrence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation?

BACKGROUND: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) is the most common mechanism underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), causing 70% to 100% of the reflux episodes in normal subjects and 63% to 74% of the reflux episodes in patients with reflux disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on TLESR in patients with proven GERD. METHODS: We prospectively followed 73 consecutive patients (13 men and 60 women; mean age, 43.7 +/- 1.72 years) with proven diagnosis of GERD and reported TLESRs found during a 40-min esophageal manometric study. These patients had repeat testing 6 months after undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication increased the basal and nadir lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and significantly reduced the number of TLESRs during the manometric study. No patients after surgery exhibited TLESR with nadir less than 2 mmHg. However, 8 of the 73 patients (11%) exhibited TLESR to a nadir exceeding 50% of basal pressure (mean nadir, 5.0 +/- 1.07 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: The number of TLESRs is reduced significantly by antireflux surgery. Even accounting for increased basal and nadir pressures, the incidence of TLESR is reduced, suggesting that there may be additional mechanisms involved in this process.