Medium-term outcome of fundoplication after lung transplantation

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in lung transplant recipients has gained increasing attention as a factor in allograft failure. There are few data on the impact of fundoplication on survival or lung function, and less on its effect on symptoms or quality of life. Patients undergoing fundoplication following lung transplantation from 1999 to 2005 were included in the study. Patient satisfaction, changes in GERD symptoms, and the presence of known side effects were assessed. The effect on lung function, body mass index, and rate of progression to the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) were recorded. Twenty-one patients (13 males), in whom reflux was confirmed on objective criteria, were included, with a mean age of 43 years (range 20-68). Time between transplantation and fundoplication was 768 days (range 145-1524). The indication for fundoplication was suspected microaspiration in 13 and symptoms of GERD in 8. There was one perioperative death, at day 17. There were three other late deaths. Fundoplication did not appear to affect progression to BOS stage 1, although it may have slowed progression to stage 2 and 3. Forced expiratory volume-1% predicted was 72.9 (20.9), 6 months prior to fundoplication and 70.4 (26.8), six months post-fundoplication, P= 0.33. Body mass index decreased significantly in the 6 months following fundoplication (23 kg/m(2) vs. 21 kg/m(2), P= 0.05). Patients were satisfied with the outcome of the fundoplication (mean satisfaction score 8.8 out of 10). Prevalence of GERD symptoms decreased significantly following surgery (11 of 14 vs. 4 of 17, P= 0.002). Fundoplication does not reverse any decline in lung function when performed at a late stage post-lung transplantation in patients with objectively confirmed GERD. It may, however, slow progression to the more advanced stages of BOS. Reflux symptoms are well controlled and patients are highly satisfied. Whether performing fundoplication early post-lung transplant in selected patients can prevent BOS and improve long-term outcomes requires formal evaluation.