[Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery--report of experiences from Germany]

This is a report on a questionnaire in Germany reflecting the activity in antireflux surgery, both in open and laparoscopic modifications in the time period of 1990 through 1995. It serves as an overview of the acceptance of diagnostic workup, indication, applied techniques, and different antireflux procedures. In a total of 104 representative hospitals, 2,036 patients were operated during this time. Almost 80% of the hospitals provide antireflux surgery in the open technique and only 1/3 of the hospitals have experience in the laparoscopic technique. There is a total rise in antireflux surgery during the last 5 years, since the number of laparoscopic antireflux operations rises constantly with a total amount of open operations of about 250 cases per year. In open surgery the most favourite technique is the Nissen-Rossetti procedure, while in laparoscopic technique the choice for the original Nissen, the Nissen-Rossetti, or the floppy Nissen technique is divided in almost equal parts.