Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring to select patients with persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
BACKGROUND
Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring detects gastro-oesophageal reflux and identifies acid and non-acid reflux events. It can be used in patients with persistent symptoms on proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The aim of this study was to assess laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication as a treatment for patients with persistent symptoms associated with reflux despite acid suppression documented by MII-pH monitoring.


METHODS
A prospectively maintained database identified patients with persistent symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease despite PPI therapy who had undergone MII-pH monitoring and this was cross-referenced with patients who had undergone fundoplication at this institution. Follow-up after fundoplication was by periodic telephone interview and review of clinical records.


RESULTS
Of 200 evaluated patients, 19 (14 female; mean age 40 (range 0.7-78) years) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Before surgery, 18 of 19 patients had a positive symptom index (at least half of symptoms associated with reflux) and one, a negative symptom index. After a mean follow-up of 14 (range 7-25) months, 16 of 17 (94 per cent) patients with a positive symptom index were asymptomatic or markedly improved (one patient was lost to follow-up). Persistent symptoms occurred in the patient with a negative symptom index, and one patient had recurrent symptoms after 9 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a positive symptom index resistant to PPIs with non-acid or acid reflux demonstrated by MII-pH monitoring can be treated successfully by laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
Mainie
I
I
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
Tutuian
R
R
Agrawal
A
A
Adams
D
D
Castell
D O
DO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors