Symptom-focused results after laparoscopic fundoplication for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease--a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common in the general population. Although the results of laparoscopic fundoplication are well documented, there have been no reports on the operative outcome in patients refractory to or with only partial response to medical therapy for GERD.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with GERD, whose continuous high doses of medical treatment with proton-pump inhibitors produced no or only partial symptom relief, underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Symptoms were evaluated with a standardized questionnaire preoperatively and 12 months after surgery.


RESULTS
The complete follow-up evaluation was obtained in 30 out of the 32 patients. The main symptoms before surgery were regurgitation (93%), heartburn (60%), epigastric pain (47%), and globus sensation (47%). All patients were relieved from heartburn, vomiting, and globus sensation. Dysphagia was relieved in 75% of the patients and regurgitation in 86%. Dysphagia as a new symptom occurred in 9%. The overall morbidity rate was 16%. Patient satisfaction rate was 87%.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic fundoplication seems to be an effective treatment for severe, drug-resistant GERD. The high patient satisfaction rate and the positive therapeutic response in 95% of patients justify this procedure in this strictly selected group of patients.
Antoniou
Stavros A
SA
First Surgical Department, General Hospital Papageorgiou, PC, Thessaloniki, Greece. stavros.antoniou@hotmail.com
Delivorias
Panagiotis
P
Antoniou
George A
GA
Natsiopoulos
Ioannis
I
Kalambakas
Athanasios
A
Dalenbäck
Jan
J
Makridis
Charalambos
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D055815:Young Adult
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D009853:Omeprazole