Publication:

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single centre experience

Background Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is currently the surgical treatment of choice for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in properly selected patients.

Methods Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed in 36 patients of GERD, Government Medical College over a period of 2 years. Pre-operative evaluation included baseline investigations and clinical assessment by using GERD Questionnaire and specific investigations i.e., barium esophagram, esophago-gastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH monitoring of the esophagus. All patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication. Patients were evaluated at three months after surgery with symptom scoring questionnaire.

Results Mean age of patients in our study was 38 years and most common symptoms were heartburn and regurgitation. Four patients (11%) developed complications. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 2.7% (1 patient). Average symptom scores decreased from 10/18 to 0/18 after fundoplication (<0.0001) and all the eight patients who underwent postoperative endoscopy had normal results.

Conclusions Laparoscopic Nissen’s fundoplication is a safe and effective procedure for GERD, having an acceptable hospital stay with consistently improved short term symptomatic and endoscopic results.