Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in a community hospital: analysis of 202 patients

We analyzed 202 patients undergoing Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. One hundred and three patients (90.6%) had typical reflux symptoms. Hiatal hernias were present in 84.6%. Most patients had erosive esophagitis; sixty-four patients (31.6%) had strictures. Complications occurred in 38 patients (18.8%), with major complications in 15 patients (7.4%). Major complications included bleeding in six, two requiring transfusion, slipped Nissen in three, pneumothorax in two, and esophageal leak in two patients. Eleven patients had postoperative dysphagia that responded to dilation therapy within three months. There was no mortality.