Impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP™) reveals changes in gastroesophageal junction compliance during fundoplication

Compliance is the ability of a hollow organ to dilate and increase volume with an increase in pressure, an accurate representation of food bolus transit through the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Impedance planimetry system can calculate compliance (change in volume over pressure) and distensibility (cross-sectional area over pressure) of the GEJ. We aim to describe the changes in compliance during anti-reflux surgery and hypothesize that compliance is a better predictor of patient outcomes than distensibility (DI).

A review of a prospectively maintained quality database was performed. Patients with FLIP measurements during laparoscopic fundoplication between August 2018 and June 2021 were included. GEJ compliance and DI were measured after hernia reduction, cruroplasty, and fundoplication. Patient-reported outcomes were collected through standardized surveys up to 2 years after surgery. A scatter plot was used to identify a correlation between compliance and DI. Comparisons of measurements between time points were made using paired t-tests. Spearman's correlation coefficients (ρ), Wilcoxon rank-sum, and chi-square tests were used to evaluate associations between measurements and outcomes.

One hundred and forty-four patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. Compliance is strongly associated with DI (r = 0.96), and a comparison of measurements showed similar trends at specific time points during the operation. After hernia reduction, compliance at the GEJ was 168 ± 74 mm³/mmHg, cruroplasty 79 ± 39 mm³/mmHg, and fundoplication 90 ± 33 mm³/mmHg (all comparisons p < 0.05). GEJ compliance of 80-92 mm³/mmHg after fundoplication was associated with the best patient-reported outcome scores. A compliance of ≤ 79 mm³/mmHg had the highest percentage of patients who reported dysphagia.

Compliance and DI are strongly associated displaying the same directional change during anti-reflux surgery. GEJ compliance of 80-92 mm³/mmHg revealed the best patient-reported outcome scores, and avoiding a compliance ≤ 79 mm³/mmHg may prevent postoperative dysphagia. Therefore, GEJ compliance is an underutilized FLIP measurement warranting further investigation.