Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in symptomatic patients following fundoplication failure: a meta-analysis

Revisional surgery may be required in a subset of patients who remain symptomatic despite undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While revisional LF (RLF) is feasible in these patients, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) may serve as an alternative, although its efficacy and safety remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of LRYGB in symptomatic patients following failed LF for GERD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were systematically searched for studies reporting LRYGB outcomes in symptomatic adults despite undergoing LF for GERD. Postoperative symptom resolution, recurrence of heartburn and dysphagia, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, and body mass index (BMI) reduction were assessed to determine LRYGB efficacy. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were used to evaluate LRYGB safety. Twenty-two studies with 1523 patients were included. Pooled rates of symptom resolution, recurrence of heartburn and dysphagia, PPI use, morbidity, and mortality were 71.6% (95% CI 59.4-86.4), 15.6% (8.9-27.3), 20.7% (12.5-34.3), 29.6% (18.8-46.5), 39.5% (29.9-52.3), and 2.2% (1.2-4.0), respectively, following LRYGB. Similar rates were observed after RLF. However, BMI reduction was significantly greater after LRYGB compared with RLF (mean difference 6.1 kg/m², 4.8-7.4; p < 0.0001). LRYGB resulted in symptom relief in a majority of patients, and proved comparable to RLF regarding symptom recurrence and PPI use. Morbidity and mortality following LRYGB also did not differ from RLF. However, LRYGB was associated with considerably greater weight loss relative to RLF. Therefore, LRYGB is efficacious and an acceptable revisional procedure in symptomatic GERD patients who have previously undergone LF.

Long-term outcomes following failure of Nissen fundoplication

PURPOSE

To determine the management and outcomes of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) that requires further intervention following failure of Nissen fundoplication (NF).

METHODS

After institutional audit department approval, a retrospective review of paediatric patients who had further intervention following failure of primary NF between January 2006 and December 2015 for GOR at our centre was performed. Data are presented as median (range).

RESULTS

Of 820 patients who underwent NF, 190 (23%) received further procedures for GOR management at a median of 21 months of age (6-186); 90/190 (47%) had gastro-jejunal feeding (GJ). Of these, 67 (74%) remained on GJ feeds up to a median of 48 months and 23/90 (26%) had a second NF after GJ feeding. 97/190 (51%) had a redo fundoplication without having had a GJ; thus, 120/190 (63%) of patients having a further procedure went on to have a second NF after a median period of 15 months (1-70 months). Three patients (2%) had early emergency wrap revision 4 days after first fundoplication (we classed this as an 'early complication'). Of the seven patients who failed a 3rd NF, 4 continued GJ feeding, 2 of had oesophagogastric dissociation; 2 had 4th NF of which 1 was successful and 1 patient had gastric pacemaker and is successfully feeding orally. Patients who were finally successfully managed with GJ underwent 2 (2-5) tube changes/year. We found patients who had a previous GJ were more likely to have failure of the redo fundoplication than those who had not to have the GJ (16/24 vs. 30/90, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The chance of success decreases with every further attempt at fundoplication. The only factor significantly associated with failure of redo fundoplication was whether the patient previously had a GJ tube. In patients with failed fundoplications, when symptom free on jejunal feedings, further anti-reflux surgical intervention should be avoided. A randomized prospective study is needed for patient selection.

Short and long-term outcomes after pediatric redo fundoplication

BACKGROUND

Redo fundoplication (RF) is the most common surgical treatment for recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children, but outcomes after RF are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to assess short- and long-term outcomes after RF in childhood.

METHODS

The study is a follow-up study of patients undergoing RF from 2002 to 2020 at a teriary care center. Patients/parents were sent questionnaires recording symptoms of recurrent GERD, troublesome side-effects and satisfaction. Retrospective chart review was also performed.

RESULTS

24/28 (86%) patients were included median 9 (1.6 months-17.7 years) years after RF. 16 (67%) had neurologic impairment. Indications for RF was recurrence of GERD (n = 18), discomfort or dysphagia from a herniated wrap (n = 5) and dysphagia from a slipped fundoplication (n = 1). Median operating time was 128 (95-250) min. Six (25%) patients experienced early major complications, of which two were gastrostomy related. Five (21%) patients experienced recurrence after RF. Three of these were symptom free at follow-up with medical treatment or re-RF. The most common symptom at follow-up was stomach pain (37%) and excessive flatulence (38%). 18/22 (95%) patients/parents would choose RF again, and 21/22 would recommend RF to someone in a similar situation.

CONCLUSIONS

RF is successful in treating recurrent GERD after primary fundoplication, and patient/parental satisfaction is high.

Salvage Options for Fundoplication Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects millions of people worldwide. Many patients with medically refractory symptoms ultimately undergo antireflux surgery, most often with a laparoscopic fundoplication. Symptoms related to GERD may persist or recur. Revisional surgery is necessary in some patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

A reoperative fundoplication is the most commonly performed salvage procedure for failed fundoplication. Although redo fundoplication has been reported to have increased risk of morbidity compared with primary cases, increasing experience with the minimally invasive approach to reoperative surgery has significantly improved patient outcome with acceptable resolution of reflux symptoms in the majority of patients. Recurrence of reflux symptoms after an initial fundoplication requires a thorough work-up and a thoughtful approach. While reoperative fundoplication is the most common procedure performed, there are other options and the treatment should be tailored to the patient, their history, and the mechanism of fundoplication failure.

Endoscopic Evaluation of Post-Fundoplication Anatomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to review the endoscopic evaluation of post-fundoplication anatomy and its role in assessment of fundoplication outcomes and in pre-operative planning for reoperation in failed procedures.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is no universally accepted system for evaluating post-fundoplication anatomy endoscopically. However, multiple reports described the usefulness of post-operative endoscopy as a quality control measure and in the evaluation of complex cases such as repeat procedures and paraesophageal hernias (PEH). Endoscopic evaluation of post-fundoplication anatomy has an important role in assessing the outcomes of operative repair and pre-operative planning for failed fundoplications. Attempts have been made to characterize the appearance of the newly formed gastroesophageal valve after successful repairs and to standardize endoscopic reporting and classification of anatomic descriptions of failed fundoplications. However, there is no consensus. More studies are needed to evaluate the applicability and reproducibility of proposed endoscopic evaluation systems in order for such tools to become widely accepted.

Laparoscopic fundoplication in neonates and young infants: Failure rate and need for redo at a high-volume center

AIM OF THE STUDY

Present the outcomes of patients younger than 2years who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication, highlighting the failure rate and need for redo fundoplication.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients <2years who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between January 2009 and December 2014.

MAIN RESULTS

458 infants younger than 2years underwent laparoscopic fundoplication in the 6-year period (360 Nissen, 77 Toupet and 21 Thal fundoplications). Median age at surgery was 5 (1-23) months. Median follow-up was 3 (1-6) years. The conversion rate was 0.87% (4 of 458 cases). Patients did not undergo routine studies to assess the incidence of postoperative GER but were instead followed clinically. Failure of the fundoplication was determined when a patient was unable to gain weight and/or protect the airway while receiving gastric feedings because of GER. The failure rate in our experience was 2.6% (12 redo out of 458 cases [11/360 Nissen, 1/77 Toupet and 0/21 Thal]). All failed cases occurred because of migration of the fundoplication, confirmed preoperatively by a contrast study. Median time between the initial fundoplication and the redo was 13 (5-27) months. There were no failures within a contemporaneous group of 101 patients <2years who underwent open fundoplication.

CONCLUSION

The need for a redo fundoplication after a laparoscopic fundoplication was an uncommon event in our experience (12 of 458 cases). Our results contrast with published studies that report higher failure rates. Case volume per surgeon may explain in part the dissimilar results among studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Association of Body Mass Index (BMI) with Patterns of Fundoplication Failure: Insights Gained

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been implicated as an important risk factor for fundoplication failure. However, the mechanism of fundoplication in obese patients is not fully understood. Our objective is to evaluate the patterns of failure in relation to the body mass index (BMI) undergoing re-operative intervention after failed fundoplication.

METHODS

After Institutional Review Board approval, the patients who underwent re-operative intervention for failed fundoplication between November 2008 and December 2013 were identified. Patients were classified into three groups: non-obese, obese, and morbidly obese (<30, 30-35, >35 BMI, respectively). Pre-operative assessment and operative procedure performed were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four patients satisfied study criteria. Non-obese patients (53.2 %) had significantly more dysphagia as an indication for re-operative procedure (obese 31.6 %, p < 0.05; morbidly 16.7 %, p < 0.05). Obese and morbidly obese patients had significantly higher incidence of recurrent hiatal hernia than non-obese patients (88.7 vs. 65.6 %, p < 0.05). Morbidly obese patients had significantly higher incidence of disrupted fundoplication than non-obese patients (41.7 vs. 19.4 %, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Similar anatomical failure patterns of state of fundoplication and recurrent hiatal hernia were noted between obese patients and morbidly obese patients and were distinct from non-obese patients.

Robotic redo fundoplication for incompetent wrapping after antireflux surgery: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is high. antireflux surgery with specific indications could be an option. Nissen fundoplication is the most popular surgical procedure for GERD, and recent results using laparoscopy have reported excellent short- and mid-term results. Regarding surgical outcome of antireflux surgery, the rate of complications has been reported as below 2.4%, but rare cases still require reoperation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 53-year old male patient underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication three years ago owing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) troubled by dysphagia and heartburn However, despite undergoing surgery, his symptoms did not show improvement .A robotic redo fundoplication was planned. The patient recovered uneventfully, and the esophagography on postoperative day four revealed improvement of previous upward contrast reflux and distension of the distal esophagus during swallowing had disappeared. Dysphagia and heartburn had still not occurred at one year follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Redo antireflux surgery for postoperative stricture is not an easy procedure due to postoperative adhesion and anatomical change. Robotic surgery may be more helpful for precise dissection of the adhesion site by a previous operation and robotic suturing for re-fundoplication was more effective.

CONCLUSION

Re-do fundoplication using a robot, which is a complicated procedure compared with primary anti-reflux surgery would be a general procedure in the near future.