Background: To evaluate the outcome of antireflux surgery, we assessed disease-specific symptoms
and quality of life of all patients treated by laparoscopic fundoplication at our center between 1992
and 2002.
Materials and Methods: Preoperative symptoms and details of surgery were evaluated for 186 laparoscopic
fundoplications. Disease-specific symptoms and quality of life were assessed using a questionnaire.
Of 186 patients, 143 returned the questionnaire.
Results: The most common preoperative symptoms under medical antireflux therapy were regurgitation
(54%) and heartburn (30%). Indications for surgery were refractory symptoms (88%)
and the patient denying long-term medication (42%). The surgical approaches were Nissen fundoplication
(98%) or Toupet fundoplication (2%, for heavy esophageal motility disorder). The conversion
rate was 10%. There were no deaths, and 6 patients (3%) had to be reoperated. The questionnaire
revealed that in 82% of the patients who responded, the preoperative reflux symptoms
were gone, and 94% were satisfied with the result and would undergo surgery again. The average
gastrointestinal quality of life index was 115 points (healthy volunteers in the literature, 120.8 points).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe antireflux therapy resulting in high levels of
patient satisfaction and near-normal quality of life in the long term.
