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Five-Year Results and Beyond

Sam Rice, BMBS; David I. Watson, MBBS, MD, FRACS; Carolyn J. Lally, RN, RM; Peter G. Devitt, MBBS, MS, FRCS, FRACS; Philip A. Game, MBBS, FRCS, FRACS; Glyn G. Jamieson, MBBS, MS, FRCS, FRACS

Arch Surg. 2006;141:271-275.

Hypothesis  Laparoscopic anterior 180° partial fundoplication provides good long-term relief for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and is associated with few adverse effects.

Design  Prospectively evaluated case series.

Setting  University teaching hospital.

Patients  The late clinical outcome was determined for all patients who had undergone a laparoscopic anterior 180° partial fundoplication by us between August 1, 1993, and November 30, 1999.

Interventions  Long-term (5 years’) follow-up after laparoscopic anterior 180° partial fundoplication was obtained using a structured questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures  Overall satisfaction and the symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia were assessed using analog scales, and the presence or absence of other adverse outcomes was also determined.

Results  One hundred seventeen procedures were performed. The outcome at 5 to 11 years' (mean, 6.4 years’) follow-up was determined for 113 patients (97%). Twelve patients (11%) died of unrelated causes during follow-up, and 1 patient underwent esophagectomy. Further surgery was undertaken in 12 patients (11%): 8 for recurrent reflux, 3 for a symptomatic hiatal hernia, and 1 for dysphagia. For 100 patients with clinical outcome data at late follow-up, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were significantly improved following surgery and were well controlled in 80 patients. The incidence and severity of dysphagia were reduced after surgery. Normal belching was preserved in 91 patients, and almost all patients were able to eat normally. The overall outcome of surgery was rated as satisfactory, with 95 patients reporting that they considered their original decision to undergo surgery correct.

Conclusions  Laparoscopic anterior 180° partial fundoplication is an effective procedure for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and is associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction at late follow-up. Compared with Nissen fundoplication, however, it is likely to be associated with a higher risk of recurrent reflux, although this is balanced by a lower rate of adverse effects.

Author Affiations: Department of Surgery, Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park (Drs Rice and Watson and Ms Lally), and Department of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide (Ms Lally and Drs Devitt, Game, and Jamieson), Australia.