Mortality from laparoscopic antireflux surgery in a nationwide cohort of the working-age population

Laparoscopic revisional antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery results in a higher rate of complications and severity at 90 days than primary surgery

OBJECTIVE

Data on graded complications and their frequency after laparoscopic revisional antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery compared with primary surgery are lacking. We describe 30- and 90-day morbidity using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

METHODS

A total of 298 patients underwent revision surgery between 2003 and 2020 and were propensity matched to primary surgeries (1:2 ratio) based on age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology classification, Los Angeles grade esophagitis, presence of Barrett's, and indication for surgery. Complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification, with the highest grade of complication reported per patient.

RESULTS

After matching, both groups had a majority of female patients, with a median age of 60 years and a median body mass index of 29.5 kg/m2. Most were healthy, with nonerosive esophagitis and modest levels of Barrett's esophagus. A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was most common; however, a partial fundoplication was more common in revisions. Mesh, relaxing incisions, and Collis were more common in revisional surgery. At 30 days, total complications were similar (23.5% [70/298] vs 20.6% [123/596], P = .373) with 1 death in each group. Minor complications (less than Clavien-Dindo 3A) were comparable. Patients undergoing revisional surgery experienced Clavien-Dindo 3B complications (4.7% [14] vs 0.8% [5], P > .001) more frequently, with esophageal obstruction requiring revision and esophageal/gastric leak being most common. Grade Clavien-Dindo 4 A/B complications were comparable in both groups. At 90 days, patients undergoing revisional surgery experienced overall complications (7.1% [21] vs 2.0% [12], P = .003), and Clavien-Dindo 3B complications (1.0% [3] vs 0, P = .037) more frequently, with intra-abdominal abscess washout being the most common Clavien-Dindo 3B complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Revisional surgery results in similar total complications at 30 days, but additional complications can occur out to 90 days.

Morbidity and mortality after antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery across a spectrum of ages

BACKGROUND

Antireflux surgery (ARS) and hiatal hernia repair (HHR) are common surgical procedures with modest morbidity. Increasing age is a risk factor for complications; however, details regarding acute morbidity are lacking. This study aimed to describe the incidence rates and types of morbidities across the spectrum of ages.

METHODS

A total of 2342 consecutive cases were retrospectively reviewed from 2003 to 2020 for 30-day complications. All complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) grading system. Patients were divided into 5 age groups: ≤59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, 80 to 89, and ≥90 years.

RESULTS

The numbers per age group were 1100 patients aged ≤59 years, 684 patients aged 60 to 69 years, 458 patients aged 70 to 79 years, 458 patients aged 80 to 89 years, and 6 patients aged ≥90 years. A total of 427 complications (18.2%) occurred, including 2 mortalities, each in the 60- to 69-year age group and the 70- to 79-year age group, for a mortality rate of 0.2%. The complication rate increased from 13.5% (149) in patients aged ≤59 years to 35.0% (35) in patients aged ≥80 years (P = .006), with CD grades I and II accounting for >70% of complications, except in patients aged ≥80 years (57.1%). CD grades IIIa and IIIb were higher in patients aged ≥80 years (26.5% [P = .001] and 11.8% [P = .021], respectively). CD grade IVa and IVb complications were rare overall.

CONCLUSION

There is a modest rate of morbidity that increases as patients age, regardless of hernia type, elective or primary surgery, with most being minor complications (CD grade≤II). Our data should help patients, referring physicians, and surgeons counsel patients regarding the effect of increasing age in ARS and HHR.

Robotic surgery versus Laparoscopic surgery for anti-reflux and hiatal hernia surgery: a short-term outcomes and cost systematic literature review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to compare the operative time, intraoperative complications, length of stay, readmission rates, overall complications, mortality, and cost associated with Robotic Surgery (RS) and Laparascopic Surgery (LS) in anti-reflux and hiatal hernia surgery.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus databases. Studies comparing short-term outcomes and cost between RS and LS in patients with anti-reflux and hiatal hernia were included. Data on operative time, complications, length of stay, readmission rates, overall complications, mortality, and cost were extracted. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the MINORS scale.

RESULTS

Fourteen retrospective observational studies involving a total of 555,368 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed no statistically significant difference in operative time, intraoperative complications, length of stay, readmission rates, overall complications, and mortality between RS and LS. However, LS was associated with lower costs compared to RS.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that RS has non-inferior short-term outcomes in anti-reflux and hiatal hernia surgery, compared to LS. LS is more cost-effective, but RS offers potential benefits such as improved visualization and enhanced surgical techniques. Further research, including randomized controlled trials and long-term outcome studies, is needed to validate and refine these findings.

Bariatric surgery is as safe as other common operations: an analysis of the ACS-NSQIP

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) is the most effective management for patients with obesity and weight-related medical conditions. Nonetheless, some primary care physicians (PCPs) and surgeons from other specialties are reluctant to refer patients for MBS due to safety concerns.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the outcomes of patients who underwent MBS with those who underwent other common operations.

SETTING

American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP).

METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), classified as MBS, were compared to nine frequently performed procedures including hip arthroplasty and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendectomy, colectomy, hysterectomy, and hernia repairs, among others. A multivariable logistic regression was constructed to compare outcomes including readmission, reoperation, extended length of stay (ELOS) (>75th percentile or ≥3 days) and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1.6 million patients were included, with 11.1% undergoing MBS. The odds of readmission were marginally lower in the cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .88, 95% confidence interval (CI) [.85, .90]) and appendectomy (aOR = .88, 95% CI [.85, .90]) cohorts. Similarly, odds of ELOS were among the lowest, surpassed only by same-day procedures such as cholecystectomies and appendectomies. The MBS group had significantly low odds of mortality, comparable to safe anatomical procedures such as hernia repairs. Infectious and thrombotic complications were exceedingly rare and amongst the lowest after MBS.

CONCLUSIONS

MBS demonstrates a remarkably promising safety profile and compares favorably to other common procedures in the short-term. PCPs and surgeons from other specialties can confidently refer patients for these low-risk, lifesaving operations.

Exploring the concept of centralization of surgery for benign esophageal diseases: a Delphi based consensus from the European Society for Diseases of the Esophagus

Surgery for benign esophageal diseases may be complex, requiring specialist training, but currently, unlike oncologic surgery, it is not centralized. The aim of the study was to explore the opinion of European surgeons on the centralization of surgery for benign esophageal diseases. A web-based questionnaire, developed through a modified Delphi process, was administered to general and thoracic surgeons of 33 European surgical societies. There were 791 complete responses (98.5%), in 59.2% of respondents, the age ranged between 41 and 60 years, 60.3% of respondents worked in tertiary centers. In 2017, the number of major surgical procedures performed for any esophageal disease by respondents was <10 for 56.5% and >100 for 4.5%; in responder's hospitals procedures number was <10 in 27% and >100 in 15%. Centralization of surgery for benign esophageal diseases was advocated by 83.4%, in centers located according to geographic/population criteria (69.3%), in tertiary hospitals (74.5%), with availability of advanced diagnostic and interventional technologies (88.4%), in at least 10 beds units (70.5%). For national and international centers accreditation/certification, criteria approved included in-hospital mortality and morbidity (95%), quality of life oriented follow-up after surgery (88.9%), quality audits (82.6%), academic research (58.2%), and collaboration with national and international centers (76.6%); indications on surgical procedures volumes were variable. The present study strongly supports the centralization of surgery for benign esophageal diseases, in large part modeled on the principles that have underpinned the centralization of cancer surgery internationally, with emphasis on structure, process, volumes, quality audit, and clinical research.

Mortality, Reoperation, and Hospital Stay Within 90 Days of Primary and Secondary Antireflux Surgery in a Population-Based Multinational Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Absolute rates and risk factors of short-term outcomes after antireflux surgery remain largely unknown. We aimed to clarify absolute risks and risk factors for poor 90-day outcomes of primary laparoscopic and secondary antireflux surgery.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included patients who had primary laparoscopic or secondary antireflux surgery in the 5 Nordic countries in 2000-2018. In addition to absolute rates, we analyzed age, sex, comorbidity, hospital volume, and calendar period in relation to all-cause 90-day mortality (main outcome), 90-day reoperation, and prolonged hospital stay (≥2 days over median stay). Multivariable logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Among 26,193 patients who underwent primary laparoscopic antireflux surgery, postoperative 90-day mortality and 90-day reoperation rates were 0.13% (n = 35) and 3.0% (n = 750), respectively. The corresponding rates after secondary antireflux surgery (n = 1 618) were 0.19% (n = 3) and 6.2% (n = 94). Higher age (56-80 years vs 18-42 years: OR, 2.66; 95% CI 1.03-6.85) and comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2 vs 0: OR, 6.25; 95% CI 2.42-16.14) increased risk of 90-day mortality after primary surgery, and higher hospital volume suggested a decreased risk (highest vs lowest tertile: OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.22-1.57). Comorbidity increased the risk of 90-day reoperation. Higher age and comorbidity increased risk of prolonged hospital stay after both primary and secondary surgery. Higher annual hospital volume decreased the risk of prolonged hospital stay after primary surgery (highest vs lowest tertile: OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.67-0.80).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that laparoscopic antireflux surgery has an overall favorable safety profile in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, particularly in younger patients without severe comorbidity who undergo surgery at high-volume centers.

Survival after antireflux surgery versus medication in patients with reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus: multinational cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aim was to examine the hypothesis that antireflux surgery with fundoplication improves long-term survival compared with antireflux medication in patients with reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus.

METHOD

Individuals aged between 18 and 70 years with reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus (intestinal metaplasia) documented from in-hospital and specialized outpatient care were selected from national patient registries in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden from 1980 to 2014. The study investigated all-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality, comparing patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic antireflux surgery with fundoplication versus those using antireflux medication. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals for all-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality, adjusted for sex, age, calendar period, country, and co-morbidity.

RESULTS

Some 240 226 patients with reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus were included, of whom 33 904 (14.1 per cent) underwent antireflux surgery. The risk of all-cause mortality was lower after antireflux surgery than with use of medication (HR 0.61, 95 per cent c.i. 0.58 to 0.63), and lower after laparoscopic (HR 0.56, 0.52 to 0.60) than open (HR 0.80, 0.70 to 0.91) surgery. After antireflux surgery, mortality was decreased from cardiovascular disease (HR 0.58, 0.55 to 0.61), respiratory disease (HR 0.62, 0.57 to 0.66), laryngeal or pharyngeal cancer (HR 0.35, 0.19 to 0.65), and lung cancer (HR 0.67, 0.58 to 0.80), but not from oesophageal cancer (HR 1.05, 0.87 to 1.28), compared with medication, The decreased mortality rates generally remained over time.

CONCLUSION

In patients with reflux oesophagitis or Barrett's oesophagus, antireflux surgery is associated with lower mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, laryngeal or pharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer, but not from oesophageal cancer, compared with antireflux medication.

Proton Pump Inhibitors, Associated Complications, and Alternative Therapies: A Shifting Risk Benefit Ratio

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to compile the most recent and accurate data on the side effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). We also compared the efficacy of PPI to the efficacy of different surgical options for acid reflux control.

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors are the primary therapy for chronic control of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but newer studies demonstrate deleterious side effects. Collating this information and contrasting it with surgical therapy for GERD provides evidence for possible practice changes in treatment.

METHODS

A literature search utilizing PubMed was performed evaluating for PPI and anti-reflux surgery (ARS), focusing on articles that reflected information regarding the usage and efficacy of symptom control of both PPI and ARS. Search terms included "ARS, fundoplication, MSA, acute interstitial nephritis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, meta-analysis, PPI, H₂ blocker, cardiovascular risk, and gut dysbiosis." We evaluated 271 articles by title, abstract, and data for relevance and included 70.

RESULTS

Long-term control of GERD with PPI may have a greater than expected side effect profile than initially thought. Surgical options may provide greater symptom control than PPI without the side effects of long-term medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-reflux control can be safely achieved with either PPI or surgical options; however, the long-term side effects noted in the review such as increased risk of cardiovascular events, renal disease, and gut dysbiosis may suggest surgical anti-reflux control as a better long-term option.

Trends in laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery: a Korea nationwide study

BACKGROUND

In 2014, the results derived from the nationwide data of the Korean Anti-reflux Surgery Study (KARS) demonstrated short-term feasibility and safety of anti-reflux surgery. This study aimed to update the longer-term safety and feasibility of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery up to 1-year follow-up with the KARS nationwide cohort.

METHODS

The data of 310 patients with GERD who received anti-reflux surgery up to 2018 were analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics, postoperative symptom resolution, and postoperative complications were evaluated at postoperative 3 months and 1 year using the questionnaire designed by KARS. We divided the patients into two groups according to the operation period (up to and after 2014) to identify changes in the trends of the characteristics of surgical patients and operative qualities.

RESULTS

The typical preoperative symptoms were present in 275 patients (91.7%), and atypical symptoms were present in 208 patients (71.0%). Ninety-seven (35.5%) and 124 patients (46.1%) had inadequate PPI responses and hiatal hernia, respectively. At postoperative 1 year, typical and atypical symptoms were either completely or partially controlled in 90.3% and 73.5.0% of patients, respectively. Moderate-to-severe dysphagia, inability to belch, gas bloating, and flatulence at postoperative 1 year were identified in 23.5%, 29.4%, 23.2%, and 22.0% of patients, respectively. The number of surgical patients continuously increased from 2011 to 2018 in Korea. The proportion of patients with hiatal hernia and comorbidities increased (p < 0.01, p = 0.053), and the operation time decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the late period (2015-2018) as compared with the early period (2011-2014). Symptom control and complication rate were equivalent between the two periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-reflux surgery was effective with > 90% of typical symptom resolution and posed a comparable postoperative complication rate with those in Western studies with mid-term to long-term follow-up. This result supports the feasibility and safety of anti-reflux surgery as a treatment for GERD in the Korean population.

Trends of anti-reflux surgery in Denmark 2000-2017: a nationwide registry-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The utilisation of laparoscopic fundoplication peaked internationally around 2000. Perioperative morbidity, mortality, and length of stay initially declined as the use of laparoscopic technique increased. Studies indicate that complication rates have increased over time, probably as a consequence of rising age and level of comorbidity. None of these previous studies is nationwide. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate trends in the utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in the entire Danish population from 2000 to 2017.

METHODS

Nationwide Danish health registries were utilised to include all Danish patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery 2000-2017. The utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in procedures per 100.000 inhabitants was compared to the utilisation of proton-pump inhibitors for each year. Postoperative complications, mortality, and length of stay per year, including yearly changes, were also calculated.

RESULTS

The use of anti-reflux surgery peaked in 2001 with 5.9 procedures per 100,000 inhabitants and reached its lowest point in 2008 with 2.8 procedures per 100,000 inhabitants. The use of proton-pump inhibitors increased from 3,370 users per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 10,284 users per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017. The 30-day and 90-day mortality ranged from 0 to 1.2%. The 30-day hospital-registered complications were 1.3-6.1%, and the 90-day hospital-registered complications were 2.4-8.3%. Length of stay was consistently low, with a median of 2 days in 2000 reduced to a median of 1 day by 2017.

CONCLUSION

The utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in Denmark from 2000 to 2017 declined, and the use of PPI increased dramatically. Age, comorbidity, and postoperative complications increased, while the use of laparoscopic technique remained high, and mortality was consistently low.

Reoperation after antireflux surgery: a population-based cohort study

Background

Antireflux surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and/or hiatal hernia is effective. Between 10 and 20 per cent of patients undergo reoperation for recurrent symptoms. Most studies are undertaken in a single centre and possibly underestimate the rate of reoperation. The aim of this nationwide population-based cohort study was to investigate long-term reoperation rates after antireflux surgery.

Methods

This study included patients who underwent antireflux surgery between 2000 and 2017 in Denmark, and were registered in the Danish nationwide health registries. Reoperation rates were calculated for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years after the primary antireflux operation for GORD and/or hiatal hernia. Duration of hospital stay, 30- and 90-day mortality and morbidity, and use of endoscopic pneumatic dilatation were assessed.

Results

This study included a total of 4258 antireflux procedures performed in 3717 patients. Some 3252 patients had only primary antireflux surgery and 465 patients underwent reoperation. The 1-, 5-, 10- and 15-year rates of repeat antireflux surgery were 3·1, 9·3, 11·7 and 12·8 per cent respectively. Thirty- and 90-day mortality rates were similar for primary surgery (0·4 and 0·6 per cent respectively) and reoperations. The complication rate was higher for repeat antireflux surgery (7·0 and 8·3 per cent at 30 and 90 days respectively) than primary operation (3·4 and 4·8 per cent). A total of 391 patients (10·5 per cent of all patients) underwent endoscopic dilatation after primary antireflux surgery, of whom 95 (24·3 per cent) had repeat antireflux surgery.

Conclusion

In this population-based study in Denmark, the reoperation rate 15 years after antireflux surgery was 12·8 per cent. Reoperations were associated with more complications.

Risk of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma After Antireflux Surgery in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Nordic Countries

Importance

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with a strong and severity-dependent increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Whether antireflux surgery prevents esophageal adenocarcinoma is a matter of uncertainty.

Objectives

To examine whether antireflux surgery is associated with reduced risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma and whether the risk is different between surgically and medically treated patients.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this multinational, population-based retrospective cohort study from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, patients undergoing surgery were followed up for a median of 12.7 years, and a comparison group of patients receiving medication only were followed up for a median of 4.8 years. All patients with a registered diagnosis of GERD (or an associated disorder), including 48 414 individuals undergoing surgery and 894 492 receiving medication only, were included in the study. The study periods varied in the different countries depending on the year of initiation of registration and the date of data retrieval, from January 1, 1964, to December 21, 2014.

Exposures

Antireflux surgery for GERD.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma over time after surgery was compared with that in a corresponding background population using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% CIs and with patients with GERD who received medication using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, providing hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs adjusted for confounders.

Results

In this study of 942 906 patients with GERD, 48 414 underwent antireflux surgery (median [interquartile range] age, 66.0 [58.0-73.0] years; 27 161 male [56.1%]) and 894 492 received medication only (median [interquartile range] age, 71.0 [62.0-78.0] years; 434 035 male [48.6%]). Among patients undergoing surgery, 177 developed esophageal adenocarcinoma. Esophageal adenocarcinoma risk decreased in a time-dependent manner after surgery compared with the background population (5 to <10 years after surgery: SIR, 7.63; 95% CI, 5.42-10.43; ≥15 years after surgery: SIR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.98-1.80). Among patients with more severe and objectively determined GERD, the SIRs were 10.08 (95% CI, 6.98-14.09) at 5 to less than 10 years after surgery and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.15-2.35) at 15 years or more after surgery. The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma did not change over time in surgical patients compared with patients who received medication only (5 to <10 years after surgery: HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.44-2.84; ≥15 years: HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.28-2.54). The risk remained stable over time in analyses restricted to severe reflux disease (5 to <10 years after surgery: HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.24-2.63; ≥15 years after surgery: HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.14-2.51).

Conclusions and Relevance

Medical and surgical treatment of GERD were associated with a similar reduced esophageal adenocarcinoma risk, with the risk decreasing to the same level as that in the background population over time, supporting the hypothesis that effective treatment of GERD might prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Variation in laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery across England: a 5-year review

Background

Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS) remains central to the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but the scale and variation in provision in England is unknown. The aims of this study were firstly to examine the processes and outcomes of anti-reflux surgery in England and compare them to national guidelines and secondly to explore potential variations in practice nationally and establish peer benchmarks.

Methods

All adult patients who underwent LARSin England during the Financial years FY 2011/2012–FY 2016/2017 were identified in the Surgeon’s Workload Outcomes and Research Database (SWORD), which is based on the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data warehouse. Outcomes included activity volume, day-case rate, short-stay rate, 2- and 30-day readmission rates and 30-day re-operation rates. Funnel plots were used to identify national variation in practice.

Results

In total, 12,086 patients underwent LARS in England during the study period. The operation rate decreased slightly over the study period from 5.2 to 4.6 per 100,000 people. Most outcomes were in line with national guidelines including the conversion rate (0.76%), 30-day re-operation rate (1.43%) and 2- and 30-day readmission rates (1.65 and 8.54%, respectively). The day-case rate was low but increased from 7.4 to 15.1% during the 5-year period. Significant variation was found, particularly in terms of hospital volume, and day-case, short-stay and conversion rates.

Conclusion

Although overall outcomes are comparable to studies from other countries, there is significant variation in anti-reflux surgery activity and outcomes in England. We recommend that units use these data to drive local quality improvement efforts.

Natural history of endoscopically detected hiatus herniae at late follow-up

BACKGROUND

Hiatus herniae are commonly seen at endoscopy. Many patients with a large hiatus hernia are endoscoped for symptoms associated with the hernia and many of these will progress to surgical treatment. However, little is known about the natural history of small to medium size hiatus herniae, and their risk of progressing to a larger hernia requiring surgery. This study aims to determine the need for subsequent surgery in these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective audit of the endoscopy database at Flinders Medical Centre and the Repatriation General Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia for the 2-year period 2002-2003 was performed to identify all patients with a hiatus hernia. Patients under the age of 65 and with a sliding hiatus hernia <5 cm in length were selected for this study, and sent a questionnaire which determines the long-term (>10 years) outcome of these herniae.

RESULTS

Small- to medium-sized hiatus herniae (<5 cm length) were found at 10% of endoscopies performed. In this group, 38% had reflux as the indication for endoscopy. 1.5% subsequently progressed to anti-reflux surgery or hiatus hernia repair. Thirty-nine percent reported being on proton pump inhibitors for symptom control. No patients required emergency surgical repair of their hiatus hernia.

CONCLUSION

While patients with small- to medium-sized sliding hiatus hernia commonly have symptomatic reflux, an acute problem requiring emergency surgery is unlikely over long-term follow-up.

Cohort profile: the Nordic Antireflux Surgery Cohort (NordASCo)

PURPOSE

To describe a newly created all-Nordic cohort of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), entitled the Nordic Antireflux Surgery Cohort (NordASCo), which will be used to compare participants having undergone antireflux surgery with those who have not regarding risk of cancers, other diseases and mortality.

PARTICIPANTS

Included were individuals with a GORD diagnosis recorded in any of the nationwide patient registries in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) in 1964-2014 (with various start and end years in different countries). Data regarding cancer, other diseases and mortality were retrieved from the nationwide registries for cancer, patients and causes of death, respectively.

FINDINGS TO DATE

The NordASCo includes 945 153 individuals with a diagnosis of GORD. Of these, 48 433 (5.1%) have undergone primary antireflux surgery. Median age at primary antireflux surgery ranged from 47 to 52 years in the different countries. The coding practices of GORD seem to have differed between the Nordic countries.

FUTURE PLANS

The NordASCo will initially be used to analyse the risk of developing known or potential GORD-related cancers, that is, tumours of the oesophagus, stomach, larynx, pharynx and lung, and to evaluate the mortality in the short-term and long-term perspectives. Additionally, the cohort will be used to evaluate the risk of non-malignant respiratory conditions that might be caused by aspiration of gastric contents.

The risk of mortality following secondary fundoplication in a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Mortality following laparoscopic fundoplication has been found to be negligible. However, some patients require secondary fundoplication, and the risk of mortality following such procedure is scarcely studied.

METHODS

This nationwide Swedish population-based cohort study included all patients undergoing secondary fundoplication following primary laparoscopic fundoplication in 1997 to 2013, regardless of indication. Primary outcome was mortality within 90 days of surgery, and secondary outcome was postoperative length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 9,765 patients underwent primary laparoscopic fundoplication, 540 (5.5%) patients underwent secondary fundoplication. About 382 (70.7%) were conducted laparoscopically, and 158 (29.3%) were conducted with an open technique. No deaths occurred within 90 days of the secondary fundoplication. Median length of stay was longer following secondary fundoplication (4.8 days, interquartile range 1.0 to 5.0 days), compared to primary laparoscopic fundoplication (2.5 days, interquartile range 1.0 to 3.0 days).

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based cohort study indicates that secondary fundoplication following primary laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe procedure. The longer hospital stay following secondary fundoplication compared to primary laparoscopic fundoplication is likely explained by the higher rate of open surgical approach.