[Laparoscopic surgery of gastroesophageal reflux]

Complete fundoplication according to Nissen's technique and partial posterior hemifundoplication (Toupet's and Lind's techniques) are effective treatments for gastrooesophageal reflux. Their application in open surgery has already been largely assessed. Since 1991, these operations have been performed by laparoscopic surgery. In this study, the course of 368 patients treated via a laparoscopic approach was evaluated. For 363 patients (98.6%), the operation was completed under laparoscopic control with no operative mortality. The operative morbidity was 4%. Two patients (0.5%) had to be reoperated 6 and 8 months after the initial operation for persistent dysphagia. In september 1993, 126 patients with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 12 months (median: 16.2 months) accepted a follow-up assessment. Visick I and II score were observed for 90.4% of patients. These short-term results are encouraging and suggest that the results obtained are comparable to those of conventional surgery, with a lower morbidity and a reduced hospital stay. Precise selection of patients and surgical techniques is essential.