Magnetic sphincter augmentation versus fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: pros and cons

Medium-term outcomes after magnetic sphincter augmentation vs. fundoplication for reflux disease due to hiatal hernia: a propensity-score matched comparison in 282 patients

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of reflux patients opt for magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) instead of fundoplication. However, few studies compare the medium-term efficacy and safety of the procedures.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive MSA and Nissen fundoplication cases between 01/2015 and 06/2020. Patients underwent surgery, including hiatoplasty, for medical treatment-resistant reflux due to hiatal hernia. Surgical revision and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) reuptake rates were the primary outcomes. We also compared adverse event rates. Patients with severe preoperative dysphagia/motility disorders were assigned different treatment pathways and excluded from the analysis. We used propensity-score matching to reduce confounding between treatments.

RESULTS

Out of 411 eligible patients, 141 patients who underwent MSA and 141 with fundoplication had similar propensity scores and were analyzed. On average, patients were 55 ± 12 years old and overweight (BMI: 28 ± 5). At 3.9 years of mean follow-up, MSA was associated with lower surgical revision risk as compared to fundoplication (1.2% vs 3.0% per year, respectively; HR: 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.96; p = 0.04), and similar PPI-reuptake risk (2.6% vs 4.2% per year; HR: 0.59; 95% CI 0.30-1.16; p = 0.12). Adverse event rates during primary stay were similar (MSA vs. fundoplication: 1% vs. 3%, p = 0.68). Fewer patients experienced adverse events in the MSA group after discharge (24% vs. 33%, p = 0.11), driven by higher rates of self-limiting dysphagia (1% vs. 9%, p < 0.01) and gas/bloating (10% vs. 18%, p = 0.06) after fundoplication. Differences between MSA and fundoplication in dysphagia requiring diagnostic endoscopy (11% vs. 8%, p = 0.54) or surgical revision (2% vs. 1%, p = 1.0) were non-significant. The device explantation rate was 4% (5/141).

CONCLUSION

MSA reduces the re-operation risk compared to fundoplication and may decrease adverse event rates after discharge. Randomized head-to-head studies between available surgical options are needed.

Use of magnetic sphincter augmentation as an adjunct procedure in paraesophageal hernia repair

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is an anti-reflux procedure with comparable outcomes to fundoplication, yet its use in patients with larger hiatal or paraesophageal hernias has not been widely reported. This review discusses the history of MSA and how its utilization has evolved from initial Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2012 for patients with small hernias to its contemporary use in patients with paraesophageal hernias and beyond.

Anti-reflux mucosal resection for treatment of refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Efficacy and impact on perioperative indicators

BACKGROUND

Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) is difficult to treat and recurrent. For such patients, anti-reflux mucosal resection (ARMS) is the main clinical treatment, but its advantages and disadvantages remain unclear.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic ARMS in the treatment of RGERD and its impact on perioperative indicators.

METHODS

A total of 102 patients with RGERD were selected from January 2019 to December 2021 and divided into either a control group or an observation group using the random number table method, with 51 cases in each group. The control group underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, and the observation group underwent ARMS treatment. The operation conditions, postoperative recovery, GerdQ score before and after surgery, extraesophageal symptom score, high-resolution esophageal manometry parameters [abdominal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) length, LES resting pressure (LESP), upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure (UESP), and distal systolic integral (DCI)], 24 h pH-impedance monitoring indexes (DeMeester score and the number of episodes of acid reflux, weak acid reflux, fluid reflux, gas reflux, and mixed reflux), gastric dynamics indicators [serum motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS)], and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the observation group, the operation time was shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that of the control group (P < 0.05), but the difference in hospitalization time between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The GerdQ score and extraesophageal symptom score decreased in both groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery compared with those before surgery (P < 0.05), and these scores were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At 1 and 6 months after surgery, the length of the LES in the abdominal segment was longer in both groups than that before surgery (P < 0.05), and longer in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while LESP, UESP, and DCI were higher than those before surgery (P < 0.05), and higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). DeMeester score and the number of episodes of acid reflux, weak acid reflux, liquid reflux, gas reflux, and mixed reflux were lower in both groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery compared with those before surgery, and lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum MTL and GAS were higher in the two groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery than those before surgery, and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ARMS for treatment of RGERD can significantly optimize the surgical situation, promote clinical symptom regression, improve esophageal and gastric dynamics, reduce gastric reflux events, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Anti-reflux mucosal resection for treatment of refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Efficacy and impact on perioperative indicators

BACKGROUND

Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) is difficult to treat and recurrent. For such patients, anti-reflux mucosal resection (ARMS) is the main clinical treatment, but its advantages and disadvantages remain unclear.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic ARMS in the treatment of RGERD and its impact on perioperative indicators.

METHODS

A total of 102 patients with RGERD were selected from January 2019 to December 2021 and divided into either a control group or an observation group using the random number table method, with 51 cases in each group. The control group underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, and the observation group underwent ARMS treatment. The operation conditions, postoperative recovery, GerdQ score before and after surgery, extraesophageal symptom score, high-resolution esophageal manometry parameters [abdominal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) length, LES resting pressure (LESP), upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure (UESP), and distal systolic integral (DCI)], 24 h pH-impedance monitoring indexes (DeMeester score and the number of episodes of acid reflux, weak acid reflux, fluid reflux, gas reflux, and mixed reflux), gastric dynamics indicators [serum motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS)], and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the observation group, the operation time was shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that of the control group (P < 0.05), but the difference in hospitalization time between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The GerdQ score and extraesophageal symptom score decreased in both groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery compared with those before surgery (P < 0.05), and these scores were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At 1 and 6 months after surgery, the length of the LES in the abdominal segment was longer in both groups than that before surgery (P < 0.05), and longer in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while LESP, UESP, and DCI were higher than those before surgery (P < 0.05), and higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). DeMeester score and the number of episodes of acid reflux, weak acid reflux, liquid reflux, gas reflux, and mixed reflux were lower in both groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery compared with those before surgery, and lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum MTL and GAS were higher in the two groups at 1 and 6 months after surgery than those before surgery, and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ARMS for treatment of RGERD can significantly optimize the surgical situation, promote clinical symptom regression, improve esophageal and gastric dynamics, reduce gastric reflux events, and reduce the incidence of complications.

The role of magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) in the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment pathway: the gastroenterology perspective

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a surgical intervention for well-characterized gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where the esophagogastric junction barrier is augmented using a bracelet of magnetized titanium beads. MSA could be an attractive option for patients with documented GERD who wish to avoid long-term pharmacologic therapy or whose symptoms are not adequately managed with lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapy. The 'ideal' MSA patient is one with prominent regurgitation, without dysphagia or esophageal motor dysfunction, with objective evidence of GERD on upper endoscopy and/or ambulatory reflux monitoring. Appropriate candidates with significant hiatus hernia may pursue MSA with concomitant hiatus hernia repair. The increasing adoption of MSA in the GERD treatment pathway reflects research that shows benefits in long-term outcomes and healthcare costs compared with other established therapies in appropriate clinical settings.

Magnetic sphincter augmentation for gastroesophageal reflux in overweight and obese patients

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a successful treatment option for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of MSA in obese and morbidly obese patients. To assess the relationship between obesity and outcomes after MSA, we conducted a literature search using MeSH and free-text terms in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Google Scholar. The included articles reported conflicting results regarding the effect of obesity on outcomes after MSA. Prospective observational studies with larger sample sizes and less statistical bias are necessary to understand the effectiveness of MSA in overweight and obese patients.

Practice-Changing Milestones in Anti-reflux and Hiatal Hernia Surgery: a Single Surgeon Perspective over 27 years and 1200 Operations

BACKGROUND

There have been steady innovations in hiatal hernia and anti-reflux surgery. The purpose of this article is to provide a historical perspective on practice-changing innovations in the context a single surgeon experience's over a career.

METHODS

Patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery or hiatal hernia repair by a single surgeon from 12/1992 to 3/2020 were reviewed.

DATA COLLECTED

sex, age, hiatal hernia type, operation type, adjuncts used, and additional procedure performed during index operation. Superimposed on this experience are the practice-changing innovations that occurred over this timeframe.

RESULTS

During the time period, 1200 operations were performed. Distributions: Hernia type: I, 707 (58.9%); II-IV, 325 (27.1%); Recurrent/Failed, 168 (14.0%). Type of operation, including laparoscopic and open: Nissen fundoplication: 889 (74.1%); Toupet fundoplication: 162 (13.5%); Collis-Nissen/Toupet fundoplication: 44 (3.7%); hiatal hernia repair without fundoplication (laparoscopic and open): 38 (3.2%); endoluminal fundoplication: 35 (2.9%); hiatal hernia repair with Heller myotomy/ Dor fundoplication: 10 (0.8%); transthoracic Belsey Mark IV: 2 (0.2%); hiatal hernia repair with magnetic sphincter augmentation: 20 (1.7%). Mesh reinforcement: 185 (15.4%). Additional procedures, 210 (17.5%). During this time, these practice-changing innovations occurred: laparoscopic surgery, 48-h pH monitoring, high-resolution manometry, tailoring of fundoplication, energy sources for tissue division and hemostasis, pyloroplasty for symptomatic gastroparesis, the rise and fall of endoluminal therapies, mesh reinforcement, abandonment of short gastric vessel division, and magnetic sphincter augmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the last 27 years, a number of practice-changing advances have been made. These have led to changes in technique and operation selection of anti-reflux and hiatal hernia surgery.