Surgical problems with gastroesophageal reflux

One hundred and fifty-eight patients with gastroesophageal reflux underwent semifundoplication with intraabdominal fixation of the esophagus by suturing the valve to the diaphragm. The immediate functional results were excellent in 156 cases, one patient had recurrent gastroesophageal reflux and another had a sliding hernia. The mean follow-up period of 124 patients was 36 months. In almost all patients gastroesophageal reflux, gas-bloat syndrome and the inability to vomit or eructate were absent. The author describes the conditions necessary for a good anti-reflux technique and compares his technique with those of Nissen, Hill and Belsey.