[Gastroesophageal reflux. Treatment by laparoscopy. 940 cases--French experience]

In a French survey including 40 surgical teams, 940 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux were treated by laparoscopy (795: 85% by Nissen or Rossetti fundoplication; 90 by the Hill procedure. Conversion rate in to laparotomy was 6.2%. The rate of intra-operative complications was 5%. Overall mortality was 0.1% and post-operative morbidity also 5%. Oesophageal injuries (1.3%) remain the most important complication was especially in inexperienced surgeons in the beginning of training. Mean hospital stay was 5 days. Only one third of patients were reviewed controlled by endoscopy and/or mano-pHmetry with a 3-month follow-up. Results are similar to those of "open" surgery.