Outpatient laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Gastroesophageal reflux disease affects more than 40% of Americans, causing heartburn and reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus when bending or lying down. Lifestyle modification, such as weight loss and a diet rich in protein and low in fat and glucose, should increase the patient's resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Avoiding exacerbating substances, such as mint, chocolate, alcohol, and tobacco, also may reduce symptoms. Medications may be prescribed to reduce persistent symptoms, although no medication currently available cures the disease process. Patients who need antireflux medication regularly for four to six weeks or more may be candidates for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Patients who do not want to take antireflux medication for the rest of their lives, cannot afford the medication for an extended period of time, or suffer significant side effects from the medication also are candidates. This article describes performing Nissen fundoplication laparoscopically on an outpatient basis. The average length of hospital stay has been decreased to two to three hours when performed laparoscopically on an outpatient basis from 10 days for the open procedure and two to three days when performed laparoscopically on an inpatient basis. The incidence of recurrent heartburn is less than 2% when the procedure is performed laparoscopically and does not appear to be clinically significant.