High-resolution manometry patterns of lower esophageal sphincter complex in symptomatic post-fundoplication patients

There has been an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment after an anti-reflux surgical procedure. The objective of this study is to describe high-resolution manometry (HRM) topography as it relates to the post-fundoplication anatomy.

Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted to identify patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and HRM at Creighton University Medical Center (CUMC) between November 2008 and October 2010, for symptoms after a previous fundoplication. Patients were categorized as having intact, intrathoracic, disruptured, twisted, or slipped fundoplication based on endoscopic findings.

Sixty-one patients {intact, 17(28%), disrupted, 2(3%), twisted, 3(5%), intra-thoracic, 18(30%), slipped, 21(34%)} are included in this study. A double high-pressure zone (HPZ) configuration was identified in both intra-thoracic and slipped fundoplication. This was not noted in appropriately positioned fundoplications. In intra-thoracic fundoplications, the HPZ below the fundoplication was lower pressure and showed respiratory variations. In slipped fundoplication, the higher HPZ had lower pressure and no respiratory variations. In appropriately positioned fundoplication, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and extent of relaxation in the single HPZ correlated with intact (normal pressure and good relaxation), disrupted (low pressure and good relaxation), and twisted (high pressure with incomplete relaxation) fundoplication. Patients with only a recurrent para-esophageal hernia had characteristics of an appropriately positioned fundoplication.

LES complex HRM findings correlate well with anatomical status of the fundoplication.