Conversions and complications of laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Randomized controlled trial of transoral incisionless fundoplication vs. proton pump inhibitors for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVES

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) was developed in an attempt to create a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that mimics antireflux surgery. The objective of this trial was to evaluate effectiveness of TIF compared with proton pump inhibition in a population consisting of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients controlled with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) who opted for an endoscopic intervention over lifelong drug dependence.

METHODS

Patients with chronic GERD were randomized (2:1) for TIF or continuation of PPI therapy. American Society of Anesthesiologists >2, body mass index >35 kg/m(2), hiatal hernia >2 cm, and esophageal motility disorders were exclusion criteria. Primary outcome measure was GERD-related quality of life. Secondary outcome measures were esophageal acid exposure, number of reflux episodes, PPI usage, appearance of the gastroesophageal valve, and healing of reflux esophagitis. Crossover for the PPI group was allowed after 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients (TIF n=40, PPI n=20, mean body mass index 26 kg/m(2), 37 male) were included. At 6 months, GERD symptoms were more improved in the TIF group compared with the PPI group (P<0.001), with a similar improvement of distal esophageal acid exposure (P=0.228) compared with baseline. The pH normalization for TIF group and PPI group was 50% and 63%, respectively. All patients allocated for PPI treatment opted for crossover. At 12 months, quality of life remained improved after TIF compared with baseline (P<0.05), but no improvement in esophageal acid exposure compared with baseline was found (P=0.171) and normalization of pH was accomplished in only 29% in conjunction with deteriorated valve appearances at endoscopy and resumption of PPIs in 61%.

CONCLUSION

Although TIF resulted in an improved GERD-related quality of life and produced a short-term improvement of the antireflux barrier in a selected group of GERD patients, no long-term objective reflux control was achieved.

Risk Factors for Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Surgery: Analysis of 2138 Converted Operations in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Minimal access procedures have influenced surgical practice and patient expectations. Risk of laparoscopic conversion to open surgery is frequently cited but vaguely quantified. The present study examines three common procedures to identify risk factors for laparoscopic conversion to open (LCO) events. Cross-sectional analysis using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP; 2005 to 2009) identified cases with laparoscopic procedure codes for appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and bariatric procedures. The primary outcome was conversion of a laparoscopic procedure to its open equivalent. Summary statistics for laparoscopic and LCO groups were compared and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate patient and operative risk factors for conversion. Of 176,014 selected laparoscopic operations, 2,138 (1.2%) were converted. Most patients were female (68%) and white (71.2%); mean age was 45.1 years. LCO cholecystectomy was significantly more likely (n = 1526 [1.9%]) and LCO bariatric procedures were less likely (n = 121 [0.3%]); appendectomy was intermediate (n = 491 [1.0%], P < 0.001). Patient factors associated with LCO included male sex ( P < 0.001), age 30 years or older ( P < 0.025), American Society of Anesthesiologists Class 2 to 4 ( P < 0.001), obesity ( P < 0.01), history of bleeding disorder ( P = 0.036), or preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis ( P < 0.001). LCO was associated with greater incidence of postoperative complications, including death, organ space surgical site infection, sepsis, wound dehiscence, and return to the operating room ( P < 0.001). Overall LCO incidence is low in hospitals participating in ACS-NSQIP. Conversion risk factors include patient age, sex, obesity, and preoperative comorbidity as well as the procedure performed. This information should be valuable to clinicians in discussing conversion risk with patients.

Aortic injury during laparoscopic esophageal hiatoplasty

A 75-year-old female patient with a type III hiatal hernia was submitted to laparoscopic mesh hiatoplasty. Soon after the last suture fixed the mesh to the left crura, a hemorrhage was observed. Conversion to open surgery was not performed. The most common sources of bleeding (liver, phrenic arteries, crura, spleen, and short gastric vessels) were discarded as the cause of the hemorrhage. The mesh was set free in order to explore the lower mediastinum. The source of the hemorrhage was identified: it was the last suture fixing the mesh to the left crura, which was found passing through the aortic wall. The hemorrhage stopped as soon as the suture was removed. When facing a hemorrhage during this kind of surgery, it is essential to be methodical to discover the source of the bleeding. First of all, the most common sources of bleeding must be checked out. Injury of the inferior vena cava must also be ruled out, because it is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication. Afterwards, the lower mediastinum must be explored. Conversion to an open approach is needed if the patient becomes unstable or the surgeon does not have enough laparoscopic skills to find and solve the bleeding. Most of the reported cases of aortic injury during laparoscopic hiatoplasty are secondary to vascular injuries during port insertion. When a suture is the cause of bleeding, the removal of the stitch should be enough to stop the bleeding. If there is a tear of the aortic wall, a patch should be employed for the repair. In conclusion, left crura and thoracic aorta are very close to one another. The surgeon must be very careful when working near the left crura, mostly in old patients with a dilated and aneurysmatic aorta.

Endolumenal therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease

TIF Stretta and Endocinch all seem technically safe in well-selected patients including those with prior esophageal and gastric surgeries. Long-term effectiveness is being evaluated. Given the current enthusiasm for increasingly less invasive surgical techniques, the inertia for endolumenal therapies continues to grow. Other endolumenal therapies for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have initiated trials. These pursue similar fundoplication or lower esophageal sphincter reconstruction using simpler techniques with fewer steps. Because all endolumenal approaches to GERD evolve, objective evaluation for symptom resolution and reduced esophageal acid exposure with improved esophagogastric physiology will remain a constant.

Surgical Tension Pneumothorax during Laparoscopic Repair of Massive Hiatus Hernia: A Different Situation Requiring Different Management

During laparoscopic repair of massive hiatus hernia, surgical dissection can breach the parietal pleura allowing insufflating carbon dioxide to rapidly expand the pleural space, causing a tension pneumothorax. This extrapulmonary pneumothorax involves no damage to the lung parenchyma. Its rapid resolution is aided by the high solubility of carbon dioxide and it will not refill once the procedure is completed. In this series of 50 massive hiatus hernia repairs the incidence of pneumothorax was 22% (11/50), with two of these being bilateral. Cardiovascular compromise occurred in 91% of those (10/11). The aetiology, pathophysiology and management of this intraoperative capnothorax differ significantly from that of a pneumothorax secondary to lung trauma or occurring during other types of laparoscopy. Understanding the relevant pleural anatomy and pathophysiology of this condition allowed conservative management in all cases and avoided the need for chest drains, open surgery or abandonment of the procedure.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication combined with posterior gastropexy in surgical treatment of GERD

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) has become established as the procedure of choice in the surgical management of the majority of patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Postoperative paraesophageal herniation has an incidence range up to 7% in the immediate postoperative period.

AIM

A prospective randomized trial was scheduled to study the role of posterior gastropexy, in combination with LNF, in prevention of paraesophageal herniation and improvement of postoperative results in surgical treatment of GERD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-two patients with GERD were randomized to LNF combined with (group A, n = 40) or without (group B, n = 42) posterior gastropexy. Subjective evaluation using disease-specific and generic questionnaires and structured interviews, and objective evaluation by endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring, were performed before operation, at 2 and 12 months after surgery, and then every year. Crura approximation was performed by stitches if the diameter was less than 6 cm, or with a patch to reinforce the conventional crural closure or by tension-free technique to close the hiatus. Posterior gastropexy (group A) was performed with one stitch between the posterior wall of the wrap and the crura near the arcuate ligament.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients of group A and 15 patients of group B with concomitant abdominal diseases had simultaneous procedures [cholecystectomy 25, vagotomy 2, ventral hernia repair 1, gastric polypectomy 1, gastric fundus diverticulectomy 1, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) wedge resection 1]. In mean follow-up of 48 +/- 26 months (range 7-94 months), one patient of group B presented with paraesophageal herniation in the first postoperative month (reoperation), while recurrent gastroesophageal reflux (Visick III or IV), successfully treated by medication, was noted in three patients of group B and in one patient of group A. Only mild dysphagia, during the first two postoperative months, was noted in nine patients of group A and eight patients of group B. Six patients of each group with Barrett's esophagus had endoscopic improvement after the second postoperative month. Visick score in groups A/B was I in 26/11 (P < 0.0001), II in 13/27 (P = 0.037), III in 1/2 (not significant, NS), and IV in 0/2. Generally, Visick score was I or II in 39/38 in groups A/B (97.5%/90.5%, NS) and III or IV in 1/4 (2.5%/9.5%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

LNF combined with posterior gastropexy may prevent postoperative paraesophageal or sliding herniation in surgical treatment of GERD, providing better early and long-term postoperative results. (Registered Clinical Trial number: NCT00872755. www.clinicaltrials.gov .).

Antireflux transoral incisionless fundoplication using EsophyX: 12-month results of a prospective multicenter study

Background

A novel transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure using the EsophyX system with SerosaFuse fasteners was designed to reconstruct a full-thickness valve at the gastroesophageal junction through tailored delivery of multiple fasteners during a single-device insertion. The safety and efficacy of TIF for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were evaluated in a prospective multicenter trial.

Methods

Patients (n = 86) with chronic GERD treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included an irreducible hiatal hernia > 2 cm.

Results

The TIF procedure (n = 84) reduced all hiatal hernias (n = 49) and constructed valves measuring 4 cm (2–6 cm) and 230° (160°–300°). Serious adverse events consisted of two esophageal perforations upon device insertion and one case of postoperative intraluminal bleeding. Other adverse events were mild and transient. At 12 months, aggregate (n = 79) and stratified Hill grade I tight (n = 21) results showed 73% and 86% of patients with ≥50% improvement in GERD health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores, 85% discontinuation of daily PPI use, and 81% complete cessation of PPIs; 37% and 48% normalization of esophageal acid exposure; 60% and 89% hiatal hernia reduction; and 62% and 80% esophagitis reduction, respectively. More than 50% of patients with Hill grade I tight valves had a normalized cardia circumference. Resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was improved significantly (p < 0.001), by 53%. EsophyX-TIF cured GERD in 56% of patients based on their symptom reduction and PPI discontinuation.

Conclusion

The 12-month results showed that EsophyX-TIF was safe and effective in improving quality of life and for reducing symptoms, PPI use, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis, as well as increasing the LES resting pressure and normalizing esophageal pH and cardia circumference in chronic GERD patients.

The safety of the same-day discharge for selected patients after laparoscopic fundoplication: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the acceptability, feasibility and safety of day-case laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease in an university-based tertiary care center.

METHODS

The procedure was proposed as routine for patients with proven symptomatic uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease fulfilling predetermined inclusion criteria from September 2003 to December 2005. Standard anesthetic, surgical, analgesic, and antiemetic protocols were used. Acceptability, admission, complication, and reoperation rates and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Postoperative pain and nausea were assessed using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS). The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) was administered before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Among 100 patients screened, 40 (40%) were included. Seven patients were admitted because of inadequate pain control (n = 3), nausea or vomiting (n = 3), or anxiety (n = 1); 33 were discharged as planned 6 to 8 hours after operation. Only 1 patient was readmitted and reoperated because of fundoplicature migration following uncontrolled vomiting. At follow-up, 92.5% of patients were satisfied with the day-case treatment. If offered a similar operation in the future, 82.5% of patients would have accepted day-case treatment. The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index was 90.7 (+/-21.2) preoperatively compared with 105.8 (+/-21.8) postoperatively (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Day-case laparoscopic fundoplication is feasible in selected patients. However, (1) strict control of postoperative nausea and pain is essential, and (2) preoperative standardized education program for ambulatory surgery might be useful in order to enhance patient acceptability and satisfaction rates.

Gastric Ulcer After Laparoscopic Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Significance of the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

The occurrence of gastric ulcers after laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease is not uncommon. Between December 1994 and December 2004, we performed laparoscopic fundoplication in 180 patients, of whom 4 (2.2%) men developed a gastric ulcer during follow-up. The ulcers occurred predominantly in the upper part of the lesser curvature of the stomach, which is definitely different from the usual location of gastric peptic ulcers. All cases we experienced had Helicobacter pylori infection and eradication was attempted in all of them. Although eradication was not possible in 1 patient because of adverse effects to the drugs, successful eradication was obtained in the remaining 3 patients. After successful eradication, these 3 patients were placed under observation without medication and the ulcer has not recurred. The eradication of H. pylori may be an effective therapeutic means to prevent gastric ulcers recurrence after fundoplication.

Late gastric perforations after laparoscopic fundoplication

BACKGROUND

Late complications are rarely encountered after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. These complications include acute gastric herniation through the esophageal hiatus, port-site herniation, recurrent reflux, and anatomic failure of the fundoplication. Only three cases of late gastric perforation after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication have been reported, all associated with intrathoracic wrap herniation.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of gastric perforation after laparoscopic antireflux procedures performed between July 1991 and March 2002 by a single surgeon.

RESULTS

In this series of 1,600 laparoscopic antireflux procedures, we found six delayed gastric fundal perforations occurring in three patients at 1, 41, 48, 51, 68, and 72 months after surgery. All the perforations were on the anterior wall of the fundus of the stomach and were distant from the stitches of the fundoplication. None of the perforations was associated with severe peritoneal contamination.

CONCLUSIONS

This series of late gastric fundal perforations in 0.2% of our patients after laparoscopic fundoplication may have been caused by medications, gastric stasis, ischemia, or a foreign body such as a stitch or Teflon pledget.

Surgeons' experience with laparoscopic fundoplication after the early personal experience: does it have an impact on the outcome?

BACKGROUND

The adverse outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication are more likely during the initial 20 cases performed by each individual surgeon. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of substantial surgical experience versus experience beyond the learning curve on the early and late objective and subjective results.

METHODS

The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgeon. In group 1 (n = 230), all the patients underwent surgery by a surgeon with substantial experience in laparoscopic fundoplication. In group 2 (n = 118), the patients were treated by a total of seven surgeons whose personal experience exceeded the individual learning curve, but was distinctively less than that of the group 1 surgeon.

RESULTS

The conversion rate was 2.2% in group 1 and 4.4% in group 2. The median operating time was 65 min in group 1 and 70 min in group 2 (p = 0.0020). The occurrence of immediate complications was 3.5% in group 1 and 7.6% in group 2 (p = 0.0892). At 6 months after surgery, 7.4% of the patients in group 1 and 16.1% of the patients in group 2 reported that dysphagia disturbed their daily lives (p = 0.0115). The late subjective results, including postoperative symptoms and evaluation of the surgical result, were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial experience with the procedure is associated with a shorter operating time and somewhat fewer complications, conversions, and early dysphagia episodes. This supports the provision of expert supervision even after the initial learning phase of 20 individual procedures. The patients' long-term subjective symptomatic outcome was similar in the two groups. Substantial experience does not provide better late results than surgical experience beyond the learning curve.

Thoracic aortic injury during laparoscopic fundoplication for reflux esophagitis

A 72-year-old man with reflux esophagitis visited our department with a chief complaint of coughing at night. Since he had a large sliding esophageal hiatal hernia that was increasing in size, he underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. While dissecting the left side of the esophagus with laparosonic coagulating shears, the wall of the thoracic aorta started to bleed. The procedure was urgently converted to open surgery, and the pinhole aortic injury site was suture-obliterated. Thereafter Toupet fundoplication was performed, and the patient did not develop any postoperative complications. To our knowledge, only one other case of aortic injury unrelated to trocar insertion has been reported.

Examining the learning curve of laparoscopic fundoplications at an urban community hospital

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease is a procedure associated with specific complications, especially in a surgeon's early experience. The learning curve of this procedure was examined at a tertiary community institution.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the first 100 cases performed at Royal Columbian Hospital was conducted. Two surgeons performed the majority of cases and routinely assisted each other. Patients were grouped chronologically with the first 50 cases defined as early institutional experience and a surgeon's first 20 cases defined as early personal experience.

RESULTS

Operative time was longer in both the early institutional (117.8 versus 91.3 minutes, P < .001) and personal experience (126.8 versus 89.7 minutes, P < .001). The rate of dysphagia requiring intervention was higher during the early institutional (22% versus 4%, P = .017) but not personal experience (19% versus 8%, P = not significant). The conversion rate was 0%, reoperation rate was 1%, mean length of stay was 2.5 +/- 1.4 days, and the readmission rate was 5%; these outcomes were unaffected by the learning curve.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a definable learning curve in laparoscopic fundoplication in terms of operative time. However, an acceleration of the personal learning curve in terms of dysphagia was observed with a two-surgeon collaborative approach. With careful patient selection conversion, reoperation, readmission, and complication rates equivalent to experienced centers can be achieved in the community setting early in the personal and institutional experience.

Does fundoplication change the risk of esophageal cancer in the setting of GERD?

The effect of a surgical antireflux procedure on the risk of cancer in those with GERD and Barrett's esophagus is unclear. Although some authorities have suggested that a surgical antireflux procedure might be superior to medical management for the prevention of cancer, the cumulative data do not demonstrate that those patients undergoing surgery have any decrement in cancer risk compared to those who receive medication. Most data available to assess the effect of surgery on cancer risk come from case series. These data are of very limited utility, because of differences in the baseline composition of groups undergoing medical and surgical therapy. Until more data are available, patients should not be advised to undergo surgical fundoplication as an antineoplastic measure.

Late laparoscopic reoperation of failed antireflux procedures

Failures of antireflux procedures occur in 5% to 10% of the patients. Our objective is to report our experience with laparoscopic management of failed antireflux operations. Of 1698 patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 53 were reoperations following either a previous open or laparoscopic antireflux procedure. The indications for surgical reoperation were persistent or recurrent GERD in 35 patients (66%), presence of paraesophageal hiatal hernia in 4 (7.5%), and severe dysphagia in 14 (26.4%). Hospital stay varied from 1 to 8 days, with an average of 1.2 days. Conversion to open laparotomy occurred in 10 patients (18.8%). The main causes for persistent or recurrent GERD were herniation (n=20) and disruption (n=12) of the fundoplication. Two patients had both herniation and disruption of the fundoplication. The main reason for severe dysphagia was tight hiatus. The most common reoperations were hiatal repair for hernia correction (n=26), redo fundoplication (n=16), and widening of the hiatus (n=12). Two patients had both hiatal repair and redo fundoplication. Intra (n=5) and postoperative (n=16) complications were frequent, but they were usually minor. There was no mortality. The present study demonstrated that laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux procedures may be performed safely in most patients with excellent result, low severe morbidity, and no mortality.

Complications of laparoscopic fundoplication in the elderly

Our objective was to assess the complications of laparoscopic fundoplication in 77 patients older than 70 years of age. The indications for surgery were (1) complications of reflux esophagitis (n = 17), (2) large hiatal hernia (n = 10), (3) asthma and bronchitis (n = 7), (4) the need for other surgery (n = 13), and (5) a patient's desire to discontinue medical treatment that was controlling reflux esophagitis (n = 30). Operative time varied from 34 to 250 minutes (mean [standard deviation], 116 +/- 20). Hospital stay varied from 12 hours to 19 days (mean, 1.2). No patient needed conversion to open operation. Intraoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (5.2%): left pneumothorax in 2, major operative bleeding in 1, and minor spleen lesion in 1. The most common postoperative complications were gas-bloating syndrome and dysphagia. Gastric ulcer was diagnosed in two. Other postoperative complications included acute delirium, acute urinary retention, and acute ischemia of the lower extremity. One patient died of congestive heart failure. It is concluded that laparoscopic fundoplication is an effective procedure for treating geriatric patients with reflux esophagitis and may be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Short esophagus: literature incidence

There are controversies regarding existence and incidence of short esophagus. The authors reviewed the literature incidence of short esophagus among operated patients due to gastroesophageal reflux disease in the last 3 years. The overall incidence of short esophagus was 1.53%. The proposed risk factors (paraesophageal hernia, Barrett's esophagus, reoperation, esophageal strictures and access route) do have a higher incidence of short esophagus, with the exception of the Barrett's esophagus. Although several biases can be associated with the review, the authors identified the short esophagus incidence in the literature.

The nationwide frequency of major adverse outcomes in antireflux surgery and the role of surgeon experience, 1992-1997

BACKGROUND

The population level frequency of adverse events after antireflux procedures and its relationship to surgical experience has not been well studied.

STUDY DESIGN

Two parallel retrospective, population-based cohort studies were conducted using the Washington State discharge database and the United States Health Care Utilization Project (HCUP) database. All adult patients assigned ICD-9 procedure codes for antireflux surgery from 1992 to 1997 were included. The frequency of case fatality, splenectomy, and esophageal injury was measured. In Washington State, the relationship of adverse outcomes to the cumulative number of procedures performed by a given surgeon (case-order) was determined.

RESULTS

Nationwide, an estimated 86,411 patients underwent antireflux surgery between 1992 and 1997. Splenectomy was performed in 2.3%, suture of esophageal laceration in 1.1%, and in-hospital death occurred in 0.8%. Adverse events were significantly more likely when procedures at case-order less than or equal to 15 (median) were compared with those at case-order greater than 15. As case-order increased by 1, the risk of death decreased by 1.7% (p = 0.001), and the risk of splenectomy and injury repair decreased by 1.6% (p = 0.001). If performed at case-order less than 15, the odds ofsplenectomy were 2.7 times, esophageal laceration repair 2.3 times, and death 5.6 times greater than the odds of adverse outcomes for procedures performed at later case-orders.

CONCLUSIONS

On a national level, morbidity and mortality associated with antireflux surgery performed in the 1 990s was quite low, but was somewhat higher than suggested by case series. Surgical experience with the procedure was linked to better outcomes.

Medical or surgical therapy for erosive reflux esophagitis: cost-utility analysis using a Markov model

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost and utility of healing and maintenance regimens of omeprazole and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in the framework of the Canadian medical system.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors for endoscopically proven reflux esophagitis is a safe and effective treatment option. Of late, the surgical treatment of choice for this disease has become LNF.

METHODS

The authors' base case was a 45-year-old man with erosive reflux esophagitis refractory to H2-blockers. A cost-utility analysis was performed comparing the two strategies. A two-stage Markov model (healing and maintenance phases) was used to estimate costs and utilities with a time horizon of 5 years. Discounted direct costs were estimated from the perspective of a provincial health ministry, and discounted quality-of-life estimates were derived from the medical literature. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the model to the authors' assumptions and to determine thresholds. A Monte Carlo simulation of 10,000 patients was used to estimate variances and 95% interpercentile ranges.

RESULTS

For the 5-year period studied, LNF was less expensive than omeprazole (3519.89 dollars vs. 5464.87 dollars per patient) and became the more cost-effective option at 3.3 years of follow-up. The authors found that 20 mg/day omeprazole would have to cost less than 38.60 dollars per month before medical therapy became cost effective; conversely, the cost of LNF would have to be more than 5,273.70 dollars or the length of stay more than 4.2 days for medical therapy to be cost effective. Estimates of quality-adjusted life-years did not differ significantly between the two treatment options, and the incremental cost for medical therapy was 129,665 dollars per quality-adjusted life-years gained.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with severe esophagitis, LNF is a cost-effective alternative to long-term maintenance therapy with proton pump inhibitors.

Complications of laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Over the last decade, the laparoscopic approach to antireflux surgery has been widely applied, resulting in improved early outcomes and greater patient acceptance of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, although short-term outcomes are probably better overall than those following open surgery, it has become apparent that the laparoscopic approach is associated with an increased risk of some complications, and as well as the occurrence of new complications specific to the laparoscopic approach. Significant complications include acute paraesophageal hiatus herniation, severe dysphagia, pneumothorax, vascular injury, and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of some of these complications decreases as surgeons gain experience; others can be minimized by using an appropriate operative technique. In addition, laparoscopic reintervention is usually straightforward in the 1st postoperative week. For this reason, the surgeon should have a low threshold for early laparoscopic reexploration, facilitated by early radiological contrast studies, in order to reduce the likelihood that problems will arise later.

Surgical aspects and future developments of laparoscopy

Laparoscopy has revolutionized surgery and in the process influenced the practice of anesthesiology. This article reviews several minimal access procedures that have been accepted into practice, are gaining acceptance, or remain investigational. Absolute contraindications to laparoscopy have been emphasized. As the threshold for primary care physicians to refer sicker and sicker patients for surgery decreases, it is crucial for the anesthesiologist to understand physiologic stresses of pneumoperitoneum and the nuances of laparoscopic surgery. The anesthesiologist also can be recruited to adjust insufflation pressures, tweak images on monitors, rotate and position the patient, or pass balloons and bougies. With patient and surgeon expectation of no pain or nausea and early discharge, anesthetic choices become vital for the ultimate success of the procedure.

Anti-reflux surgery in the laparoscopic era

The introduction of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery has led to a renewed interest in the operative treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Three groups of patients can be identified who are particularly suited to laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery. Failure to respond to medical treatment has been historically the main determinant for those referred for anti-reflux surgery. With the availability of modern anti-secretory drugs most patients with chronic GORD can control their symptoms adequately by these means. Even effective medical therapy, however, is not without problems. In many patients rapid and consistent relapse of symptoms and oesophagitis occurs on cessation of therapy. Some of these patients do not want to be reliant on a form of medication that has yet to firmly establish its record for safety over many years of continued use. A second readily identifiable group of patients are those who are often described as 'volume refluxers'. They are bothered by persistent fluid regurgitation despite adequate control of their heartburn with acid suppressive drugs. Third there are those individuals who develop oesophageal strictures and those with Barrett's oesophagus and concomitant reflux symptoms and also those with respiratory complications associated with presumed aspiration of gastric juice into the pharynx and into the respiratory tree. The low morbidity associated with laparoscopic surgery that has been achieved in the best modern series means that the pendulum may swing back to surgery and therefore it is even more important that the right operation (fundoplication) is done for the right patient. Failure to create an adequate crural repair behind the wrap is associated with a risk of early post-operative para-oesophageal herniation and proximal wrap migration. The question of tailored anti-reflux surgery based on the pre-operative motor function of the body of the oesophagus is widely applied, although the scientific basis for these selective approaches is rather weak. Partial fundoplication seems to be associated with very low rates of dysphagia and of gas bloat. Assessment of the post-operative result should ideally be done by an independent observer and should consider not only traditional outcome measures but also the impact of surgery on the quality of the patient's life. Investigations on the cost effectiveness of these surgical therapeutic strategies suggest important benefits of surgery, which should be incorporated into the clinical decision process when assessing different long-term management alternatives for patients with chronic GORD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common chronic disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. This is a review of a number of published studies in the past year that increase current understanding or raise important issues about this disorder. Among the areas covered are the epidemiology and role of genetics in GERD; its pathogenesis with respect to duodenogastric reflux and impaired epithelial barrier function; the effects of atropine on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations; the role of acid suppression, heat shock proteins, and the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma; the complication rates in laparoscopic fundoplication; and the results of ablation therapy for the treatment of Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. These investigations reinforce a sense of the complexity of GERD and provide optimism that modern technology will continue to be used to develop more effective treatments.