Laparoscopic antireflux surgery: long-term outcomes and quality of life

To evaluate the outcome of antireflux surgery, we assessed disease-specific symptoms and quality of life of all patients treated by laparoscopic fundoplication at our center between 1992 and 2002.

Preoperative symptoms and details of surgery were evaluated for 186 laparoscopic fundoplications. Disease-specific symptoms and quality of life were assessed using a questionnaire. Of 186 patients, 143 returned the questionnaire.

The most common preoperative symptoms under medical antireflux therapy were regurgitation (54%) and heartburn (30%). Indications for surgery were refractory symptoms (88%) and the patient denying long-term medication (42%). The surgical approaches were Nissen fundoplication (98%) or Toupet fundoplication (2%, for heavy esophageal motility disorder). The conversion rate was 10%. There were no deaths, and 6 patients (3%) had to be reoperated. The questionnaire revealed that in 82% of the patients who responded, the preoperative reflux symptoms were gone, and 94% were satisfied with the result and would undergo surgery again. The average gastrointestinal quality of life index was 115 points (healthy volunteers in the literature, 120.8 points).

Laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe antireflux therapy resulting in high levels of patient satisfaction and near-normal quality of life in the long term.