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This study was a prospective evaluation of the quality of life of 50 patients after laparoscopic total fundoplication surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The quality of life of 50 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic total fundoplication was evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire, which included 36 items in five different areas: symptoms, physical well-being, psychologic well-being, social relationships, and effects of medical treatment. Twenty-seven men and 23 women with a mean age of 52.6 +/- 16 years (range, 31-68 years) with gastroesophageal reflux disease were treated by laparoscopic total fundoplication (Nissen-Rosetti) and were included in the study. The follow-up was at least 2 years after surgery. The quality of life was evaluated before the surgery and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery with follow-up in 100% of the cases. A control group of 50 healthy volunteers representing an identical population to that of the patients operated on (with respect to age, sex, body mass index, profession, and smoking) anonymously completed the same questionnaire. The preoperative and postoperative Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire scores of patients who had laparoscopic total fundoplication were compared with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire scores of the control group. Before surgery, the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire score (86.7 +/- 8.5) was much inferior to that of the control group (123.8 +/- 13.6) (P < 0.001). This score significantly improved 3 months after surgery and was comparable (not significant) to that of the healthy control population 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery (119.3 +/- 7.8). Improvements were reported mainly with respect to gastrointestinal symptoms and physical well-being. Social relationships were not modified. The quality of life of patients after laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease improved and was close to the level expected in a healthy individual.

Aim of the Study: Prospective evaluation of the quality of life of patients after laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)., Patients and Methods: The quality of life of 30 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication was evaluated using the GIQLI (gastrointestinal quality of life index) questionnaire, which included 36 items in five different areas: digestive symptoms, physical condition, emotional reaction, social integration and medical treatment. Seventeen men and 13 women (mean age: 50.2 +/- 17 years (32-68) were included with a follow-up of at least 1 year and with complete data available. The quality of life was evaluated before surgery, and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery with a 100% follow-up. Thirty healthy volunteers representing an identical population (with respect to age, sex, BMI, profession, smoking, etc.) anonymously filled in the same questionnaire. The pre- and postoperative GIQLI scores of patients operated for GERD were compared with the GIQLI score of the control group., Results: Preoperatively, the GIQLI score (87 +/- 9.5) was much lower than that of the control group (123.4 +/- 13.6) (p < 0.001). This score significantly improved 3 months and 1 year after surgery and was comparable to that of the healthy population (115.3 +/- 9.6 vs 123.4 +/- 13.6 [ns]). Improvements were reported mainly with respect to digestive symptoms and physical condition. Social integration was slightly modified., Conclusion: The quality of life of patients after laparoscopic antireflux surgery was greatly improved and was close to the level expected in an healthy population. However, the study demonstrated the possible presence of postoperative functional digestive disorders, although these symptoms were not considered as being uncomfortable, since the level of satisfaction was 96.6% (n = 29).

Study Aim: Laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by partial (PF) or total (TF) fundoplication is the most appropriate surgical treatment after failure of medical treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the same series in three consecutive periods in order to determine the effects of the learning curve and experience on the technique and outcome., Patients and Methods: From January 1993 to January 1998, 150 patients (84 men and 66 women) with a mean age of 52.2 years (18 to 78) were included. Three groups of 49, 50 and 51 patients were chronologically defined. The comparison was established on the following criteria: the operative technique; the conversion rate; the mortality and morbidity rate; the duration of surgery and hospitalization and the results with short and medium follow-up., Results: The three groups were comparable with respect to patients and GERD characteristics. One hundred and thirty two patients had a TF and 18 had a PF. Rossetti's type TF became the reference procedure (80.3% in group III) and closure of the diaphragmatic crura was performed systematically in group III (100%). The duration of surgery was significantly reduced between group I and the two other groups (138, 100, 80 min). The rate of conversion decreased from 10.2% to 4% and then 0%. The average duration of hospitalization decreased from 5.8 to 4.2 days (p = 0.01). There was no mortality and the morbidity rate decreased from 14.3% to 4% and then 0%. Seven cases of recurrence occurred (4.6%), 5 in group I (10.2%), 2 in group II (4%), and 0 in group III, (with a shorter follow-up)., Conclusion: The effect of the learning curve has to be taken into account in the training of surgeons (within experienced departments, with "guidance" during initial interventions) and also in the evaluation of results, in order to allow a more accurate comparison between the different treatments for GERD.

A series of 98 laparoscopic fundoplications, included 7 cases (7.1%) of recurrent gastro-oesophageal reflux. Six of these cases occurred within 12 months of surgery. Four were successfully treated by a second laparoscopic procedure. The mean interval between the initial and corrective operations was 10 months. Factors related to failure were: technical errors, operative inexperience, obesity and the size of the hiatus hernia (when crural closure was not performed). Laparoscopic re-operation to was relatively easy and without mortality but had an increased risk of pleural effusions. The mean length of hospital stay for re-operations was identical to that of initial operations (4 days). No further recurrences were noted after a mean follow-up of one year (280-475 days). We conclude that early failures following laparoscopic fundoplication can be effectively dealt with laparoscopic surgery.