Laparoscopic reoperative surgery after laparoscopic fundoplication: an initial experience

Primary fundoplication results are good to excellent. We explored failure patterns and results of redo fundoplication surgery.

Between January 1999 and July 2002, 10 redo laparoscopic fundoplications were attempted, 1 for the third time. Indications were large symptomatic hiatal hernia-2, hiatal hernia with reflux-2, hiatal hernia with reflux and dysphagia-1, hiatal hernia with dysphagia-2, bloating with dysphagia-1, dysphagia-1, and dysphagia for the third attempt.

Two conversions (20%) were caused by dense adhesions at the crura and mediastinum. There were 8 recurrent hiatal hernia repairs. Fundoplication was left in place in 2 patients. Fundoplication was redone in 4 (2 were slipped), converted to Toupet in 2, or taken down in 1 (with esophageal myotomy). Pyloroplasty was performed in 2 patients and cruroplasty in 1. Laparoscopy operating room time was 140 (64 to 210) minutes and converted 210 and 295 minutes. Intraoperative complications occurred in 30% of patients (gastric perforation 1, bilateral chest tubes 2). Length of hospital stay was 3 (1 to 8) days for laparoscopic, 3 and 5 for converted. One patient was reoperated on acutely for a hiatal reherniation. Follow-up was 16 (1 to 40) months: 3 were symptom free, 2 had mild reflux symptoms, and were on prn H2 blockers, 1 mild bloating, 2 mild dysphasia, 2 moderate dysphagia, 1 had been dilated, and the other failed dilation and was redone.

Hiatal hernia was the most common cause of symptoms leading to redo surgery. Laparoscopic redo surgery is effective for dysphagia and recurrent heartburn. Results are not as good as for first-time fundoplication and morbidity is higher.