Preoperative lower esophageal sphincter manometry data neither impact manifestations of GERD nor outcome after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
BACKGROUND
Experience with laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and manometrically intact lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is limited. The disease pattern may be different and LARS may fail to control reflux or result in higher rates of dysphagia. This is the first study investigating the impact of preoperative LES manometry data not only on manifestations of GERD and subjective outcome alone but also on objective outcomes 1 year after LARS.


METHODS
Three hundred fifty-one GERD patients underwent LARS and had subjective symptom and quality of life assessment, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, barium swallow esophagogram, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring, and manometry pre- and 1 year postoperatively. Patients were divided into those with a preoperatively intact versus defective LES based on intraabdominal length and resting pressure. Baseline and 1-year postoperative follow-up data were compared.


RESULTS
Preoperative manifestations of GERD were similar in each group. Postoperatively, all symptoms except flatulence, quality of life scores, and objective manifestations improved significantly in each group.


CONCLUSIONS
The preoperative manometric character of the LES neither impacts the manifestations of GERD nor subjective and objective outcomes after LARS. Patients with GERD and manometrically intact LES have no higher risk for postoperative dysphagia.
Riedl
Otto
O
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Krems, Krems, Austria. otto.riedl@gmx.at
Gadenstätter
Michael
M
Lechner
Wolfgang
W
Schwab
Gerhard
G
Marker
Martina
M
Ciovica
Ruxandra
R
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome