Laparoscopic partial fundoplication vs laparoscopic Nissen-Rosetti fundoplication. Short-term results of 231 cases

BACKGROUND

Since 1992, all patients at our institution who have met standard accepted criteria for surgical intervention for complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease have been entered into a prospective sequential clinical study to evaluate outcomes of the laparoscopic approach to the Nissen-Rosetti procedure and a modified Toupet procedure.

METHODS

A standardized workup with upper GI series, esophagography, and endoscopy was used in all patients. Manometry, pH testing, and other special tests were used selectively. A measuring technique was used to determine wrap size without the use of dilators. The short gastric vessels were left intact in all patients. A cosurgeon approach was used, with technical factors described herein.

RESULTS

Some 226 of 231 cases were completed laparoscopically (98%)-125 patients in the Nissen-Rosetti group and 101 in the partial fundoplication group. There were no clinical failures in either group. The partial fundoplication group performed better than the Nissen-Rosetti group in all categories of comparison. Return to normal eating habits was much earlier in the partial wrap group (p < 0.0001). Postop distal esophageal sphincter pressures in the two groups were equal at 15 mmHg. Eight patients suffered significant dysphagia requiring endoscopy and dilatation, all in the Nissen-Rosetti group (p < 0.01). Minor complications occurred in 12% of the total group. There was a total surgical revision rate of 3%. There were no gastric or esophageal perforations. Average operative time was 30 min. Average hospital stay was 1.4 days. Hospital charges for the laparoscopic approach averaged $6,000 dollars compared to $12,000 for the open approach.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic partial fundoplication is as effective as laparoscopic Nissen-Rosetti fundoplication, with a higher satisfaction rate and fewer side effects. Measuring for wrap and hiatus size eliminates the need for and risk of using stiff dilators. By utilizing cosurgeons and currently available technology, cost, operative time, hospital time, and complications can be reduced to a finite minimum.

Epidural analgesia improves outcome following pediatric fundoplication. A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nissen fundoplication is a common procedure in high-risk pediatric patients. This cohort study evaluated the influence of epidural versus intravenous opioid analgesia on the postoperative course of infants and children undergoing fundoplication.

METHODS

A retrospective review was made of the perioperative courses of 155 consecutive patients, aged 1 month to 19 years, who underwent elective open fundoplication from January 1993 to October 1994. Of these 155 patients, 72 received perioperative analgesia with epidural opioids, while 83 received parenteral opioids. Outcome variables included major morbidity factors, recovery of bowel and bladder function, and economic impact.

RESULTS

Patients in the epidural and parenteral groups did not differ with respect to age, weight, or associated preoperative medical diagnoses. The postoperative complication rate was significantly decreased in the epidural group (5.5% versus 20%) (P < .001). In the epidural group 4 patients required mechanical ventilation for longer than 24 hours, compared with 15 in the parenteral group. Patients in the epidural group were discharged earlier from the hospital and incurred approximately 20% less in hospital charges on average than their cohorts in the intravenous group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that perioperative epidural analgesia, administered by a dedicated pain service, amy improve outcome in high-risk pediatric patients undergoing fundoplication.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: cost, morbidity, and outcome compared with open surgery

We report a retrospective review of all patients undergoing both open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication from January 1990 through December 1993. Computer data were reviewed to determine the length of hospital stay, hospital costs, and perioperative complications. Questionnaires were sent to patients undergoing Nissen fundoplication. During the study period, 232 patients underwent Nissen fundoplication, and 72 patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The open group had an average hospital stay of 6.1 days, the laparoscopy group, 1.5 days (p < < 0.001). Total hospital costs for the open group averaged $8,616 versus $4,331 for the group that underwent laparoscopic procedure (p < 0.001). Operating room time averaged 10 min longer for the laparoscopic procedure (p value, nonsignificant). In-hospital morbidity was significantly greater for the open group. In follow-up questionnaires, the laparoscopy group experienced an earlier return to "general health" (p < 0.005) and an earlier return to work.

Cost effectiveness of medical versus surgical treatment in patients with severe or refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

For a significant number of patients with severe or refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease, maintenance treatment with omeprazole and reflux surgery (Nissen fundoplication) are alternative treatment options. In this study maintenance treatment with omeprazole is compared with open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication from a health-economic perspective.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of published articles to assess effectiveness and simple decision-analytic techniques to combine costs and effects are used. Findings and assumptions are submitted to sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

It is estimated that it costs approximately 1880 Dutch guilders to initially heal a patient with severe or refractory esophagitis with 40 mg omeprazole daily. When medical maintenance therapy was compared with surgery, it appeared that medical maintenance therapy with omeprazole (20-40 mg daily) for a prolonged period of time (more than 4 years) is less cost effective than a Nissen procedure. It is estimated that a laparoscopic Nissen will shift this so-called break-even point towards 1.4 years, mainly due to a shorter hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Although caution is required in drawing conclusions, it appears that replacing treatment with (laparoscopic) Nissen fundoplications in these patients might lead to substantial savings.

Laparoscopic fundoplication: the alternative to long-term medical therapy for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common. Fundoplication is very effective for those patients who fail medical therapy, particularly those with an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter. Open surgery is reported to achieve cure rates in excess of 90 percent. Laparoscopic fundoplication has been performed since 1991. The early experience with this procedure is reviewed.

RESULTS

1992 cases were reported in the literature. The mortality rate was 0.1 percent. Operative complications occurred as follows: 0.9 percent esophagogastric perforation rate; 0.6 percent bleeding rate (requiring transfusion); and 0.6 percent pneumothorax rate. No splenectomies were reported. 4.8 percent of patients required conversion to the open procedure. As experience with the procedure is gained this conversion rate decreases. Recurrent reflux postoperatively is 3.4 percent, but follow-up is short (range: 0 to 36 months; mean: two years). Dysphagia requiring dilatation occurs in 3.5 percent of patients. Gas bloat occurs in 0 to 24 percent of patients. These results compare favorably with the published results of medical therapy and the open fundoplication.

CONCLUSIONS

The early experience with laparoscopic fundoplication appears promising and provides an attractive alternative to long-term medical therapy and to open surgery in appropriate patients. Long-term follow-up is awaited.

New technology for the division of short gastric vessels during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. A prospective randomized trial

Division of the short gastric vessels (SGV) is a standard component of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications (LNF) at our institution. This study compares our original method of vessel control, multifire clip applier (MCA) and sharp division, to the Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel LCS (LCS). Twenty consecutive patients were evaluated in a randomized prospective fashion. Times for SGV division and estimated blood loss (EBL) were recorded. Cost data represent patient charges for use of either the MCA or LCS and the charge for operative time. Use of the LCS produced a significant reduction in the time required for SGV division and in the charges to the patient. [table: see text] We feel it is important to divide the SGV in all LNFs, and LCS use can result in significant savings of time and money.

Laparoscopic control of short gastric vessels

BACKGROUND

The Nissen fundoplication is currently the most commonly performed antireflux surgery whether performed as an open procedure or through the laparoscope. Extensive experience with open Nissen fundoplication has shown that dividing the short gastric vessels to mobilize the fundus ensures that the wrap will be loose and without tension. The standard laparoscopic technique for fundal mobilization is dissecting out the short gastric vessels, applying hemoclips, and then dividing them. For surgeons new to laparoscopic surgery, this can be an intimidating task. Introduction of the ultrasonic coagulating shears, a new energy source technology, offered the possibility of making this process quicker and easier.

STUDY DESIGN

We present a randomized prospective study comparing two methods of ligating the short gastric vessels during laparoscopic fundoplication. Thirty-one patients were enrolled and randomized into two groups: those who underwent short gastric ligation by dissection, clipping, and dividing, and those in whom the ultrasonic laparoscopic coagulating shears were used. The results were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients had laparoscopic fundoplication with ligation of the short gastric vessels by using clips and 16 by using the ultrasonic coagulating shears. There was no demographic difference between the two groups and the number of short gastric vessels ligated was the same in both groups. Significance was seen for the median operating time for short gastric control (22 minutes for clipping versus 12 minutes for coagulating shears), median blood loss (70 mL for clipping versus 2.5 mL for the ultrasonic coagulating shears), and technical difficulty (93 percent with clipping versus 19 percent with the coagulating shears).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results from this randomized prospective study, the ultrasonic coagulating shears are easier to use and less prone to intraoperative "complications" and postoperative morbidity. We believe that this new technology will make it easier and more desirable for surgeons to mobilize the gastric fundus during laparoscopic fundoplication.

Patient satisfaction following laparoscopic and open antireflux surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare laparoscopic (LNF) with open Nissen fundoplication (ONF) in terms of hospital charges, efficacy, and patient satisfaction.

DESIGN

A prospective, nonrandomized study with a median follow-up of 370 days.

SETTING

Two tertiary care university hospitals.

PATIENTS

Eighty-six patients with complications of gastroesophageal reflux who had not had previous antireflux surgery were studied. Patients chose ONF or LNF following discussion with the surgeon; 12 underwent ONF and 74 underwent LNF, of whom eight required conversion to laparotomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hospital charges, disability, satisfaction, and side effects of fundoplication.

RESULTS

Patients were demographically similar. Total charges (mean +/- SD) for LNF ($11,673 +/- $4723) were significantly less than for ONF ($18,394 +/- $17,264). Patients who underwent LNF returned to work sooner (10 +/- 3 days) than those who underwent ONF (28 +/- 1 days). Bloating, dysphagia, and recurrent heartburn occurred with equal frequency in both groups. Recurrent reflex occurred in four of 74 LNF patients and one of 12 ONF patients. Overall satisfaction scores were similar, irrespective of operative technique (LNF, 3.35 +/- 0.87; ONF, 3.50 +/- 0.94.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is as effective as ONF in the treatment of complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease and appears to cost less and lead to faster recovery from surgery, but does not result in higher patient satisfaction than ONF. The most important factor in patient satisfaction is the abolition of preoperative symptoms rather than the type of operation.

A contemporaneous comparison of hospital charges for laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication

Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective alternative to long-term medical therapy. This fact, coupled with the advent of laparoscopic fundoplication as a safe and efficacious alternative to open surgery, underscores the importance of determining the costs associated with laparoscopic treatment. Hospital costs and charges of patients undergoing open (N = 9) and laparoscopic (N = 11) fundoplication were retrospectively analyzed. Both procedures were performed during the same time period (6/91-6/93), at the same hospital, and by the same surgical team. Operative time, and hospital stay, were recorded in addition to total, operating room, anesthesia, sterile supplies, and hospital room charges. Figures are reported as mean values +/- standard error of the mean. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparison of groups. Operative time (221 +/- 18 vs 165 +/- 12 min, P = 0.033) was longer in the laparoscopic group, while hospital stay (5.8 +/- 02 vs 8.8 +/- 04 days, P < 0.001) was significantly shorter. Total hospital costs were similar for both groups of patients ($14,615 +/- 863 vs $15,891 +/- 921, P = 0.247). Overall hospital charges were nearly identical ($26,634 +/- 1376 vs $27,189 +/- 1753, P = 0.803). A detailed analysis demonstrated cost shifting, with laparoscopic fundoplication resulting in significantly higher charges associated with events in the operating room. Operating room ($6,064 +/- 252 vs $4,283 +/- 380, P = 0.001), sterile supplies ($6,214 +/- 508 vs $5,403 +/- 390), and anesthesia charges ($1,593 +/- 76 vs $1,122 +/- 95, P < 0.001) were all greater in the laparoscopic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Laparoscopic fundoplication in a child

A case of laparoscopic fundoplication is described in a child weighing 25 kg. The patient had severe skeletal deformities. Five trocars were used. The view was excellent. A complete posterior wrap was achieved without transsecting the short gastric vessels. Operating time and expenses were greater than with the conventional technique. No complications occurred. The cosmetic result was good.