title: Early reoperation following laparoscopic antireflux surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome for patients undergoing early reoperation following laparoscopic antireflux surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome was prospectively determined for 28 patients who underwent 30 reoperative procedures within 4 weeks of their initial laparoscopic fundoplication between 1992 and 1998. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 4 years (median 2 years). Before mid 1994, patients were assessed and managed based on clinical findings (first 192 patients in overall series), whereas subsequently (for the most recent 530 patients) all patients underwent routine early postoperative barium swallow radiography, and laparoscopic exploration during the first postoperative week if problems were suspected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reoperations were performed for acute paraoesophageal hiatus hernia (8 patients), tight oesophageal hiatus (7), postoperative haemorrhage (3), tight Nissen fundoplication (8), early recurrent reflux (1), and coeliac/superior mesenteric artery thrombosis (1). Two patients required a second operation for persistent dysphagia due to a tight hiatus. Both patients initially underwent loosening of their fundoplication. Before mid 1994, reoperations were usually undertaken by an open approach, whereas subsequently a laparoscopic approach has usually been successful. Laparoscopic reintervention was easily achieved within 7 days of the first procedure whereas subsequent surgery was more difficult and often required open surgery. The change in protocol was associated with an improvement in overall patient satisfaction and dysphagia in the latter part of this experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine early contrast radiology following laparoscopic fundoplication and a low threshold for laparoscopic reexploration facilitates early identification of postoperative problems at a time when laparoscopic correction is easily achieved. This may result in an improved overall outcome for patients requiring early reintervention following laparoscopic antireflux surgery.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Devitt
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Game
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Jamieson
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002445:Celiac Artery; D003287:Contrast Media; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000009:adverse effects; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate