Antireflux Surgery’s Lifespan: 20 Years After Laparoscopic Fundoplication

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Fundoplication (LF) is the surgical technique of choice for treating GERD, but only few studies report a follow-up beyond 15 years. The aim was to evaluate the results at least 20 years after laparoscopic fundoplication at a single national referral center for esophageal diseases. Methods We prospectively collected data on a cohort of consecutive patients who underwent LF between 1992–2001. Patients were divided into two groups: a GERD group (patients with pathological esophageal acid exposure and hiatal hernias <3 cm) and a large hiatal hernia (HH) group (patients having type I > 3 cm and types II-IV hiatal hernias). Patients were followed up for at least 20 years using endoscopy, barium-swallow, esophageal manometry, and pH monitoring. LF was defined failed in case of: GERD symptom recurrence (SS > 10); recurrence of esophagitis; HH recurrence or slipped-fundoplication; pathological pH-monitoring; BE progression or adenocarcinoma onset. Results The study population consisted of 142 patients: 112 in the GERD group and 30 in the HH group. The characteristics of patients are shown on Figure 1. Conversion to open surgery proved necessary in 8 patients (5.6%). At a median follow-up of 22 years, 80.4% of the GERD patients and 63.3% of the HH patients were failure-free. Revisional surgery was necessary in 14 (9.8%) patients (9 GERD and 5 HH patients); indications were dysphagia (5 cases), slipped fundoplication or hernia recurrence (6 cases), abnormal pH-monitoring or esophagitis resistant to medical therapy (2 cases), and telescoping (one case). Two decades after LARS, 87.6% of GERD patients and 76.7% of HH patients were satisfied with the procedure. Conclusions The present study concerns one of the largest populations of patients who had undergone LF to have been followed up for more than 20 years at a single center. The findings showed that laparoscopic antireflux surgery is effective and durable (for >20 years) in patients with uncomplicated GERD and, to a lesser extent, in those with a large hiatal hernia. The satisfaction rate more than 20 years after surgery almost reached 90% in the GERD group.