Evaluation of short-term and long-term results after laparoscopic antireflux surgery: esophageal manometry and 24-h pH monitoring versus quality of life index.

purposeThe objective of this long-term study is to compare data on postoperative quality of life with objective functional measurements in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who have undergone laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

methodsBetween 1995 and 2005, 162 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease underwent laparoscopic surgery. A minimum of 4 years after surgery, 60 patients were contacted at random, 29 of whom agreed to follow-up examination. The following examinations were performed preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 4-12 years postoperatively: esophageal manometry, 24-h gastroesophageal pH-metry, and assessment of patient quality of life based on the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI).

resultsThe number of postsurgical reflux episodes was reduced significantly, both at 6 months and at 4 or more years after surgery. The number of episodes dropped from 183 before surgery to 58 at 6 months after surgery and remained constant ≥ 4 years later. Surgery also produced a significant drop in reflux time, seen both 6 months and ≥ 4 years later. Six months after surgery, the median reflux time had fallen from 134 min (preoperatively) to 27 min, and at ≥ 4 years it was still significantly reduced at 35 min. Sphincter length (median preoperative length, 3 cm; median postoperative length (at 6 months and at ≥ 4 years), 4 cm) and sphincter pressure (median preoperative pressure, 3 mmHg; median at 6 months, 12 mmHg; median at ≥ 4 years, 10.9 mmHg) were significantly improved by surgery as well. Finally, surgery produced an improvement in quality of life. The median preoperative GIQLI was 102, while at 6 months after surgery it was 113 and at ≥ 4 years after surgery it was 124.

conclusionLaparoscopic fundoplication guarantees long-term improvement in symptoms and quality of life for patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effectiveness of reflux surgery can thus be demonstrated by long-term quality of life assessments and postoperative functional measurements. No statistically significant correlation between total score (DeMeester) and GIQLI could be demonstrated.