Comparison of Dor and Nissen fundoplication after laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair

Development and current status of anti-reflux esophagogastrostomy after proximal gastrectomy: a literature review

BACKGROUND

The selection of an appropriate gastrointestinal (GI) reconstruction procedure after proximal gastrectomy (PG) has long been a challenge. Surgeons have had a long history of exploring anti-reflux gastroesophageal anastomosis. The aim of this article is to systematically summarize the anti-reflux principles of GI reconstructive procedures through a review of the previous literature and to provide a theoretical basis for clinicians to select or innovate procedures.

METHODS

The PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Databases and Medline were searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords from inception until May 1, 2023. We traced the early research on the anti-reflux mechanisms of the esophagogastric junction and analyzed each piece of literature.

RESULTS

Three principles according to the current mainstream anti-reflux esophagogastrostomy: (1) reduction of the acid secreting glands; (2) reconstruction of the His angle or fundus; (3) reconstruction of the anti-reflux valve resembles the cardiac (including barrier method, rotation method, and compression method). This article provides a literature review of anti-reflux esophagogastrostomy after PG.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-reflux esophagogastrostomy, represented by seromuscular flap valvuloplasty, which restored the natural physiological structure, had better feasibility and safety theoretically. However, this still needs to be supported by evidence from large multi-center prospective randomized controlled studies.

Patients' Experiences of Health After Surgical Treatment for Paraesophageal Hernia Grades III and IV: An Interview Based Study

Surgery is the only available treatment for the longstanding chronic symptoms associated with large paraesophageal hernias except for reflux disease. The aim of this study was to illuminate how patients who previously suffered from grade III-IV hiatal hernia experience their life and health 2-6 months after surgery. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with 17 patients who received elective laparoscopic hernia repair for a large paraesophageal hernia. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, resulting in three main themes: "Experiences of health," "Being unable to leave the disease behind," and "Still feeling unwell" and seven subthemes: "Escaping suffering"; "Learning to interpret bodily signals"; "Looking to the future with confidence"; "Finding oneself in a vicious circle of worry"; "The fear of relapse as a constant companion"; "Lingering disabling symptoms," and "New and frightening symptoms." Our study demonstrates large individual variations in the way patients experience their life and health after laparoscopic hernia repair. Central to the patients' descriptions is that simply feeling physically healthy is insufficient for achieving overall health. Health care personnel can benefit from learning about patients' experiences of health and suffering after surgery.

Outcomes after revisional surgery for paraesophageal hernias at a high-volume tertiary care center

BACKGROUND

Although recurrences after repair of giant paraesophageal hernias (PEH) are common, revisional procedures are challenging and associated with higher complication rates than primary repair. Therefore, repair of recurrent PEH is often avoided except in symptomatic patients. Data describing operative outcomes in these infrequent cases is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to report and compare peri-operative outcomes of revisional PEH repair to similar patients undergoing primary surgery.

METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective cohort study was conducted on all adult patients undergoing primary repair of Type II-IV PEH and any revisional surgery for recurrent hiatal hernia after previous primary PEH repair (2012-2019). Patient and operative characteristics and post-operative outcomes were extracted from medical records. Patients were grouped into revisional (rPEH) and primary repair (pPEH). Coarsened exact matching was performed to create balanced cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 347 cases were identified. The matched cohort included 234 patients (rPEH: 46, pPEH: 188). Patient sex and comorbidities were well balanced, while those who underwent revisions were younger (64 ± 13 vs. 69 ± 11 years; p = 0.01). Median time between primary and rPEH was 40[17-121] months. Incidence of emergency repair were similar among groups (rPEH: 9(15%), pPEH: 14(8%); p = 0.10). All revisional cases commenced laparoscopically with 7(15%) requiring conversion to open. The conversion rate was higher for rPEH than primary surgery (7(15%) vs. 3(2%); p < 0.01), with the most common reasons being adhesions and gastric fundus injury. Intra-operative complications occurred in 12(26%) revisional cases, of which 58% were gastric fundus injuries. Median length of stay was longer for rPEH than pPEH (2[1-5] vs. 1[1-2] day; p = 0.02). Incidence of severe complications (rPEH: 5(11%), pPEH: 11(6%); p = 0.23) and reoperations (rPEH: 2(4%), pPEH: 7(4%); p = 0.84) were similar between groups. There were no peri-operative deaths.

CONCLUSION

In a high-volume tertiary care center, repair of recurrent giant paraesophageal hernias can be performed successfully laparoscopically in the majority of cases with acceptable morbidity and peri-operative outcomes in comparison to primary surgery.

Current Trends in the Management of Hiatal Hernia: A Literature Review of 10 Years of Data

Hiatal hernia (HH) is commonly detected during endoscopic examinations and is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in diagnosing and treating HH. Surgical techniques for HH repair include open surgery, various laparoscopic procedures, transoral incisionless fundoplication, and magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA). Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is often considered the standard for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease-related HH due to its effectiveness. Other procedures, such as Toupet and Dor fundoplications, may be suited for patients with specific conditions, such as impaired esophageal motility. Newer approaches, including the MSA system and mesh repair, focus on patient-specific treatments to achieve the best outcomes. This review synthesizes the literature from 2014 to 2024 to provide an overview of current trends in HH management.

Large hiatus hernia: time for a paradigm shift?

Background

Laparoscopic large hiatal hernia (LHH) repair remains a challenge despite three decades of ongoing attempts at improving surgical outcome. Its rarity and complexity, coupled with suboptimal initial approach that is usually best suited for small symptomatic herniae have contributed to unacceptable higher failure rates.

Results

We have therefore undertaken a systematic appraisal of LHH with a view to clear out our misunderstandings of this entity and to address dogmatic practices that may have contributed to poor outcomes.

Conclusions

First, we propose strict criteria to define nomenclature in LHH and discuss ways of subcategorising them. Next, we discuss preoperative workup strategies, paying particular attention to any relevant often atypical symptoms, indications for surgery, timing of surgery, role of surgery in the elderly and emphasizing the key role of a preoperative CT imaging in evaluating the mediastinum. Some key dissection methods are then discussed with respect to approach to the mediastinal sac, techniques to avoid/deal with pleural breach and rationale to avoid Collis gastroplasty. The issues pertaining to the repair phase are also discussed by evaluating the merits of the cruroplasty, fundoplication types and gastropexy. We end up debating the role of mesh reinforcement and assess the evidence with regards to recurrence, reoperation rate, complications, esophageal dilatation, delayed gastric emptying and mortality. Lastly, we propose a rationale for routine postoperative investigations.

TYPE OF FUNDOPLICATION FOR LAPAROSCOPICHIATAL HERNIA REPAIR, COMPLICATED BY GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Purpose. To analyze short-term and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of the patients with hiatal hernia complicated by gastroesophageal reflux disease, depending on the choice of fundoplication method.

Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the short and long-term outcomes of the treatment of 171 patients suffering hiatal hernia complicated by gastroesophageal reflux disease was performed. All patients were underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair supplemented by Nissen fundoplication - 109 patients or Toupet fundoplication – 62 patients.

Results. In the Nissen fundoplication group the incidence of intraoperative complications was 9.2% (11 patients), postoperative complications – 8.3% (9 patients), dysphagia in the early postoperative period was noted in 24 (22%) patients. In 5 years after surgery, gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 6 (5.5%) patients, anatomical recurrence in 13 (11.9%) patients. Dysphagia in the late postoperative period was noted in 7.3% (8 patients). In the Toupet fun doplication group the incidence of intraoperative complications was 11.3% (7 patients), the incidence of postoperative complications was 6.5% (4 patients), functional dysphagia in the early postoperative period was noted in 8 (12.9%) patients. In 5 years after surgery, gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 8 (12.9%) patients, anatomical relapse in 13 (11.9%) patients. Persistent long-term dysphagia in the late postoperative period was noted in 2(3.2%) patients.

Findings. The choice of fundoplication method did not significantly affect on the duration of surgery, the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration hospital stay, the incidence of early functional postoperative dysphagia, the number of unsatisfactory results in the long term period, including recurrence and dysphagia.