[Quality of life after laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease]

To evaluate our results in terms of satisfaction and quality of life in patients who underwent laparoscopic 360 degrees fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

We performed a cross-sectional study of 49 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic 360 degrees fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. All patients had been operated on more than 6 months previously by the same surgeon. Postoperative morbidity was recorded. Patients were sent the SF-36 and GIQLI quality of life questionnaires and were also asked about their degree of satisfaction with the surgery.

The mean age was 40.5 years (range, 23-71). There were nine women and 40 men. All patients underwent a floppy 360 degrees fundoplication and crural closure. There were no conversions. The complication rate was 8.2% (one case each of fever of unknown origin, acute urinary retention, self-limiting bleeding and hernia from a port). Forty-three patients completed the questionnaires (87.7%). Satisfaction with surgery was 8.7 points (out of 10), 89.5% would undergo surgery again and 94.6% would recommend it to a relative. The results of the SF-36 questionnaire were similar to population-based reference values except in the domains of physical functioning and bodily pain where statistically significant differences were found. The mean global GIQLI score was 110.8, which was similar to other studies published in the medical literature.

Although this is a cross-sectional study, these preliminary results indicate a high degree of satisfaction with laparoscopic fundoplication, which was reflected in the results of the quality of life questionnaires.