Despite high satisfaction, majority of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients continue to use proton pump inhibitors after antireflux surgery.
BACKGROUND
While antireflux surgery is effective in controlling symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, its role in eliminating the use of antireflux medicines after surgery and as such its long-term cost-effectiveness remains controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the patient satisfaction and the continued medication use following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication at a tertiary level community hospital.


METHODS
Adult patients who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication at our institution over a period of over 3 years were asked to complete a questionnaire recording their demographic information, date and reason for the surgery, preprocedure and postprocedure symptoms, smoking and alcohol use, and medication use preoperatively and post-operatively. Patients were also asked about their satisfaction with surgery.


RESULTS
One hundred patients participated in the study. Overall, 90% patients experienced satisfaction with their surgery. Eighty percentage patients were willing to undergo surgery again, if needed. Over two-thirds (67%) patients had decrease in the severity of their symptoms. None of the patients had worsening of symptoms post-operatively. However, 80% patients were still taking antireflux medications including proton pump inhibitors (53%).


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients continue to use antireflux medications including after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication despite high satisfaction with surgery.
Department of Medicine, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA.
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Madan
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Minocha
D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000863:Antacids; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors