Long-term follow-up of two randomized trials comparing laparoscopic Nissen 360° with anterior 90° partial fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: The side-effects of Nissen fundoplication have led to modifications, including partial fundoplications such as an anterior 90° wrap. Five-year follow-up of two randomized trials suggested fewer side-effects following anterior 90° partial fundoplication, but better reflux control after Nissen fundoplication. However, longer-term outcomes have not been reported. This study combined data from previous trials to determine 10-year outcomes. METHODS: From 1999 to 2003, 191 patients were enrolled in two randomized trials comparing anterior 90° partial versus Nissen fundoplication. Trial protocols were similar, and data were combined to determine long-term clinical outcomes. Patients completed annual questionnaires assessing dysphagia, heartburn, medications, satisfaction and other symptoms. Visual analogue scales (0-10), a composite dysphagia score (0-45) and yes/no responses were used. RESULTS: Of the 191 patients, 152 (79·6 per cent) were available for 10-year follow-up. After anterior 90° fundoplication, patients reported less dysphagia to solids (score 2·03 versus 3·18 for the Nissen procedure; P = 0·037). Heartburn scores were lower after Nissen fundoplication (1·90 versus 2·83 for anterior 90° fundoplication; P = 0·035) and fewer patients required proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (22 versus 39 per cent respectively; P = 0·035). Satisfaction scores were similar for both anterior 90° and Nissen groups (7·45 versus 7·36 respectively; P = 0·566), and the majority considered their original decision for surgery to be correct (86 versus 84 per cent; P = 0·818). CONCLUSION: After 10 years, both procedures achieved similar success as measured by global satisfaction measures. Patients who had a Nissen fundoplication reported more dysphagia, whereas more heartburn and PPI consumption were reported after anterior 90° fundoplication. Registration numbers: ACTRN12607000298415 and ACTRN12607000304437 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).

ANTECEDENTES: Para evitar los efectos secundarios de la fundoplicatura de Nissen se han propuesto modificaciones técnicas, incluyendo las fundoplicaturas parciales como la plicatura anterior de 90°. El seguimiento a 5 años de dos ensayos aleatorizados sugiere menos efectos secundarios tras la fundoplicatura anterior de 90°, pero mejor control del reflujo con la fundoplicatura de Nissen. Sin embargo, no se han descrito los resultados a largo plazo. Este estudio combinó datos de dos ensayos previos para determinar los resultados a 10 años. MÉTODOS: Entre 1999 y 2003, se reclutaron 191 pacientes en dos ensayos aleatorizados que comparaban la fundoplicatura parcial anterior 90° versus fundoplicatura de Nissen. Los protocolos de ambos ensayos fueron similares, y los datos se combinaron para determinar los resultados clínicos a largo plazo. Los pacientes completaron cuestionarios anuales que evaluaban disfagia, pirosis, medicaciones, satisfacción y otros síntomas. Se utilizaron escalas analógicas visuales (0-10), una variable compuesta para la puntuación de disfagia (0-45) y respuestas sí/no. RESULTADOS: De los 191 pacientes, 152 (79,6%) pudieron seguirse a los 10 años. Tras la fundoplicatura anterior de 90°, los pacientes refirieron menos disfagia a sólidos (2,03 versus 3,18, P = 0,037). Las puntuaciones de pirosis fueron inferiores tras fundoplicatura de Nissen (2,83 versus 1,90, P = 0,035) y menos pacientes tomaban inhibidores de la bomba de protones (proton pump inhibitors, PPIs; 22% versus 39%, P = 0,035). Las puntuaciones de satisfacción fueron similares para ambos grupos de fundoplicatura anterior 90° y Nissen (7,45 versus 7,36, P = 0,566), y la mayoría consideró su decisión original para la cirugía como correcta (86,1% versus. 83,8%, P = 0,818). Las tasas de reoperación fueron similares (10,0% versus 8,8%). CONCLUSIÓN: Después de 10 años, ambos procedimientos lograron un éxito similar medido con medidas de satisfacción global. Los pacientes con fundoplicatura de Nissen referían más disfagia mientras que los pacientes con fundoplicatura anterior 900 describieron más pirosis y consumo de PPIs.

Evaluation of outcome after cardiomyotomy for achalasia using the Chicago classification.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia can be subdivided into manometric subtypes according to the Chicago classification. These subtypes are proposed to predict outcome after treatment. This hypothesis was tested using a database of patients who underwent laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy with anterior fundoplication. METHODS: All patients who underwent Heller's cardiomyotomy for achalasia between June 1993 and March 2015 were identified from an institutional database. Manometry tracings were retrieved and re-reported according the Chicago classification. Outcome was assessed by a postal questionnaire, and designated a success if the modified Eckardt score was 3 or less, and the patient had not undergone subsequent surgery or pneumatic dilatation. Difference in outcome after cardiomyotomy was analysed with a mixed-effects logistic regression model. RESULTS: Sixty, 111 and 24 patients had type I, II and II achalasia respectively. Patients with type III achalasia were more likely to be older than those with type I or II (mean age 63 versus 50 and 49 years respectively; P = 0·001). Some 176 of 195 patients returned questionnaires after surgery. Type III achalasia was less likely to have a successful outcome than type II (odds ratio (OR) 0·38, 95 per cent c.i. 0·15 to 0·94; P = 0·035). There was no significant difference in outcome between types I and II achalasia (II versus I: OR 0·87, 0·47 to 1·60; P 0·663). The success rate at 3-year follow-up was 69 per cent (22 of 32) for type I, 66 per cent (33 of 50) for type II and 31 per cent (4 of 13) for type III. CONCLUSION: Type III achalasia is a predictor of poor outcome after cardiomyotomy. There was no difference in outcome between types I and II achalasia.

Impact of participation in randomized trials on outcome following surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: Patients may be unwilling to participate in clinical trials if they perceive risks. Outcomes were evaluated following surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients recruited to randomized trials compared with patients not in trials. METHODS: This study compared outcomes of patients who had surgery for reflux within or outside randomized trials between 1994 and 2009. The choice of procedure outside each trial was according to surgeon or patient preference. Clinical outcomes were determined 1 and 5 years after surgery using a standardized questionnaire, with analogue scales to assess heartburn, dysphagia and overall satisfaction. Subgroup analysis was undertaken for those aged less than 75 years undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS: Some 417 patients entered six randomized trials evaluating surgery for reflux and 981 underwent surgery outside the trials. The trial group contained a higher proportion of men and younger patients, and patients in trials were more likely to have undergone Nissen fundoplication. At 1 year, patients in the trials had slightly lower heartburn scores and less abdominal bloating, but otherwise similar outcomes to those not in the trials. At 5 years there were no differences, except for a slightly higher dysphagia score for liquids in the trial group. For the subgroup analysis, demographic data were similar for both groups. There were no differences at 1 year, but at 5 years patients enrolled in the trials had higher scores for dysphagia for liquids and heartburn. All of the statistically significant differences were thought unlikely to be clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: Participation in a randomized trial assessing surgery for reflux did not influence outcomes.

Twenty years of experience with laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of large patient cohorts with long-term follow-up after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in surgical practice and outcomes for laparoscopic antireflux surgery over a 20-year period. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire, prospectively applied annually, was used to determine outcome for all patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication in two centres since commencing this procedure in 1991. Visual analogue scales ranging from 0 to 10 were used to assess symptoms of heartburn, dysphagia and satisfaction with overall outcome. Data were analysed to determine outcome across 20 years. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2010, 2261 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication at the authors' institutions. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 (mean 7.6) years. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 73 operations (3.2 per cent). Revisional surgery was performed in 216 patients (9.6 per cent), within 12 months of the original operation in 116. There was a shift from Nissen to partial fundoplication across 20 years, and a recent decline in operations for reflux, offset by an increase in surgery for large hiatus hernia. Dysphagia and satisfaction scores were stable, and heartburn scores rose slightly across 15 years of follow-up. Heartburn scores were slightly higher and reoperation for reflux was more common after anterior partial fundoplication (P = 0.005), whereas dysphagia scores were lower and reoperation for dysphagia was less common (P < 0.001). At 10 years, satisfaction with outcome was similar for all fundoplication types. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Nissen and partial fundoplications proved to be durable and achieved good long-term outcomes. At earlier follow-up, dysphagia was less common but reflux more common after anterior partial fundoplication, although differences had largely disappeared by 10 years.

Meta-analysis of two randomized controlled trials to identify long-term symptoms after division of the short gastric vessels during Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials suggest that division of the short gastric vessels during Nissen fundoplication is unnecessary. Some trials report an increased risk of gas bloat symptoms following division of the short gastric vessels. In this study long-term follow-up data from the two largest randomized clinical trials of division versus no division of the short gastric vessels during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication were combined to determine whether there were differences in late outcome. METHODS: Patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who underwent primary laparoscopic antireflux surgery and were included in two previously reported randomized trials were studied. Of 99 patients enrolled in the Swedish study and 102 in the Australian study, the short gastric vessels were divided in 104 and left intact in 97. Data sets were combined and late clinical outcomes analysed. RESULTS: At 10-12 years' follow-up (mean 11.5 years) clinical data were obtained from 170 patients (86 with vessels divided, 84 undivided). Statistical analysis of the combined data set showed no significant differences in symptoms of heartburn or dysphagia, ability to belch or vomit, and use of antisecretory medications. Division of the short gastric vessels was associated with a higher rate of bloating symptoms (72 versus 48 per cent; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Division of the short gastric vessels is followed by a slightly poorer clinical outcome at late follow-up after Nissen fundoplication. Surgeons should avoid dividing these vessels when undertaking a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Diffuse esophageal leiomyomatosis.

Progressive dysphagia of unknown etiology may still provide a diagnostic challenge despite an increase in the number and quality of investigations available. We describe a 64-year-old man who presented with progressive dysphagia and weight loss. Following a number of investigations, a diagnosis of diffuse esophageal leiomyomatosis was made and the patient was treated appropriately.

Long-term outcomes of revisional surgery following laparoscopic fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: A small proportion of patients who have laparoscopic antireflux procedures require revisional surgery. This study investigated long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients requiring late revisional surgery following laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux were identified from a prospective database. Long-term outcomes were determined using a questionnaire evaluating symptom scores for heartburn, dysphagia and satisfaction. RESULTS: The database search found 109 patients, including 98 (5.6 per cent) of 1751 patients who had primary surgery in the authors' unit. Indications for surgical revision were dysphagia (52 patients), recurrent reflux (36), mechanical symptoms related to paraoesophageal herniation (16) and atypical symptoms (five). The median time to revision was 26 months. Outcome data were available for 104 patients (median follow-up 66 months) and satisfaction data for 102, 88 of whom were highly satisfied (62.7 per cent) or satisfied (23.5 per cent) with the outcome. Patients who had revision for dysphagia had a higher incidence of poorly controlled heartburn (20 versus 2 per cent; P = 0.004), troublesome dysphagia (16 versus 6 per cent; P = 0.118) and a lower satisfaction score (P = 0.023) than those with recurrent reflux or paraoesophageal herniation. CONCLUSION: Revisional surgery following laparoscopic fundoplication can produce good long-term results, but revision for dysphagia has less satisfactory outcomes.

Ten-year clinical outcome of a prospective randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic Nissen versus anterior 180( degrees ) partial fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: A randomized trial of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and anterior 180 degrees partial fundoplication was undertaken to determine whether the anterior procedure might reduce the incidence of dysphagia and other adverse outcomes following surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This study evaluated clinical outcomes after 10 years. METHODS: Some 107 patients were randomized to undergo laparoscopic Nissen or anterior 180 degrees partial fundoplication. Ten-year data were not available for 18 patients. Information was obtained from 89 patients (48 Nissen, 41 anterior fundoplication) using a standard clinical questionnaire that focused on symptoms of reflux, potential postoperative side-effects and overall satisfaction with the outcome of surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to reflux symptoms, dysphagia, abdominal bloating, ability to belch and overall satisfaction. Between 5 and 10 years after surgery, revisional surgery was required for reflux in two patients after anterior fundoplication. Two patients had revision after Nissen fundoplication, for reflux and recurrent hiatus hernia. CONCLUSION: Both laparoscopic anterior 180 degrees partial and Nissen fundoplication are safe, effective and durable at 10 years' follow-up. Most patients are satisfied with the clinical outcome.

Symptoms experienced during 24-h pH monitoring and their relationship to outcome after laparoscopic total fundoplication.

Some patients having a 24-h pH monitoring test prior to laparoscopic fundoplication experience no symptoms at all in spite of having a positive test, and other patients experience only atypical symptoms in spite of having a positive test. This study investigates the postoperative outcome of such patients. All patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH monitoring before laparoscopic total fundoplication. Patients were divided into three groups based on their symptom profile recorded during a positive 24-h pH monitoring: those with typical symptoms (n = 104), those with atypical symptoms (n = 28) and those who experienced no symptoms at all (n = 23). The outcomes measured were heartburn score (0-10), dysphagia composite score (0-45) and satisfaction score (0-10) at 12 months after surgery. Outcome analysis reveals the heartburn scores were significantly reduced postoperatively for all groups of patients. At 1 year after surgery, there was no difference among the three groups of patients in terms of heartburn score and dysphagia composite scores, nor the experience of bloating, belching, or their willingness to repeat surgery. Despite one group experiencing no symptoms, and another group atypical symptoms during a positive pH study, the postoperative satisfaction scores for these two groups was good, but significantly less (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, respectively) than the group of patients with a typical symptom index. In conclusion, patients who experience only atypical symptoms or no symptoms at all during their preoperative positive 24-h pH monitoring may still obtain a good result from antireflux surgery. However, these symptom profiles should alert the surgeon that such patients may have an outcome which is not as good as patients who experience only typical symptoms during a pH study.

Patterns of treatment failure and prognostic factors associated with the treatment of esophageal carcinoma with chemotherapy and radiotherapy either as sole treatment or followed by surgery .

PURPOSE: The records of patients with esophageal cancer who were treated with a combined modality therapy were reviewed to determine the effects of simultaneously administered chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) at sites of recurrence and the relationship between treatment outcome and clinicopathologic variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventeen patients were treated with fluorouracil (800 mg/m2) [corrected] and cisplatin (80 mg/m2) combined with either 36 Gy (36 patients) or 54 to 60 Gy (35 patients) of RT as sole therapy. Forty-six patients underwent surgery after they had received chemotherapy and 36 Gy of RT as initial treatment. Patients with either squamous cell cancer (SCC) or adenocarcinoma were included. RESULTS: Complete endoscopic regression after an initial 36 Gy of RT and chemotherapy occurred in more than 50% of patients and in both tumor types. Relief of dysphagia accompanied tumor regression. Forty-two tumors were resected, and 11 showed a complete histologic response. Significant associations were demonstrated between enhanced survival and a diagnosis of SCC, a complete endoscopic response to initial chemotherapy and RT, and a tumor length of less than 5 cm. Multivariate analyses suggested that tumor length and complete endoscopic response were independent prognostic variables. The survival rate of patients treated by resection or radical-dosage RT was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The relief of dysphagia demonstrates the palliative value of chemotherapy and RT in both tumor types. The similar survival rates of patients with SCC or adenocarcinoma treated either surgically or with high-dose combined therapy (54 to 60 Gy) emphasize the need to evaluate the role of surgery and combined treatment in randomized studies.

Standards of prescription writing in a long-term psychogeriatric unit: a series of clinical audits.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to improve the quality of prescription writing in a long-term psychogeriatric inpatient unit by a combination of serial audits and interventions designed to address the identified deficiencies. METHODS: We undertook three clinical audits of the prescription sheets used in an inpatient unit providing continuing care for residents with severe and enduring mental illness and dementia. Based on the findings of the first audit a set of prescribing guidelines was implemented into the ward. Following the second audit a new prescription sheet was developed. The format of the new prescription sheet was designed to account for the needs of the unit and to adhere to Irish and UK best practise guidelines. Two months after its introduction we undertook a third audit. RESULTS: Completion of the drug sensitivity box increased from 25% at audit one to 100% at audit three. Other specific aspects of prescription writing that had been poor at the beginning of the audit cycle also showed improvement: prescribing of generic psychotropic drugs increased by 69% and inclusion of the prescribers Medical Council Registration Number increased by 78%. However, some basic aspects of prescription writing remained weak such as frequency of drug administration and documentation of the stop/review date for 'as required' medication. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that clinical audit and feedback can improve the quality of prescriptions in an in-patient setting.

Increased use of security personnel in Irish psychiatric hospitals: 2008-2012.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the involvement of security personnel in Irish psychiatric care. Content analysis of inspection reports is a feasible way to investigate this under-researched topic. We aimed to (i) Describe the number of approved centres per year in which we observed comments about the presence of security personnel in published reports of inspections conducted from 2008 to 2012 (ii) Report the main themes of all text relating to security personnel published in these inspection reports. METHOD: We conducted a content analysis of all 349 inspection reports published between 2008 and 2012. RESULTS: The number of approved centres in which security personnel were noted increased from 3% to 8% between the years 2008 and 2012. This increase was not statistically significant when the same unique centres were compared between years (p=0.684). Employment details such as contracted employment relationship, location relative to the approved centre and hours of work appeared inconsistent across centres. Role functions of security personnel differed across centres and ranged from monitoring the entrance of a unit to observing, restraining and secluding patients. Contrasting perceptions of suitability were evident in the inspection reports. The extent to which the training needs of security personnel were met was unclear from the reports. CONCLUSIONS: Activity of security personnel in psychiatric hospitals may not be role appropriate, compliant with legislation or conducive to treatment. Best practice guidelines should be developed in consultation with multiple stakeholders.

Action of pancreatic polypeptide on exocrine pancreas and on release of cholecystokinin and secretin.

We have studied the effect of exogenous porcine pancreatic polypeptide (PP; 0.8 and 2.1 microgram/kg . h, iv) on endogenously stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion in five pancreatic-fistula dogs. Plasma levels of cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, and PP were measured in addition to pancreatic secretion of water, bicarbonate, and protein. Intraduodenal infusions of acid and a mixture of phenylalanine and tryptophan were used to stimulate hormone release. PP caused a dose-dependent inhibition of endogenously stimulated pancreatic secretion, whereas the release of CCK and secretin was not affected. Duodenal acidification and intraduodenal infusion of phenylalanine and tryptophan caused a significant release of PP. This study shows that: 1) PP suppresses pancreatic secretion by means of a mechanism that is probably direct; this effect is not mediated through inhibition of release of CCK or secretin, and 2) phenylalanine and tryptophan, both strong stimulants of CCK release, cause a substantial rise in PP in peripheral blood. The mechanism of PP release may involve CCK (in previous studies, we have shown a rise in circulating PP levels after iv CCK infusion).

Combined modality therapy for esophageal carcinoma: preliminary results from a large Australasian multicenter study.

PURPOSE: This report updates local control and survival experience and focuses on treatment toxicity in 294 patients with esophageal cancer who have been treated at six Australasian centers using three prospective unrandomized protocols that used concurrent radiation, cisplatin, and modest dose infusional fluorouracil. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Protocol 1--"definitive" chemoradiation. One hundred and thirty-seven patients have been treated with "definitive" radiation to 60 Gy in 6 weeks plus two courses of cisplatin (80 mg/m2) and infusional fluorouracil (800 mg/m2/day over 4 days) during the first and fourth weeks of radiation. Protocol 2--"preoperative" chemoradiation and surgery. Seventy-eight patients received chemoradiation using the same chemotherapy, but 30-35 Gy in 3-4 weeks prior to surgery. Protocol 3--"palliative" chemoradiation. Seventy-nine patients deemed incurable were treated "palliatively" with the same chemoradiation protocol without surgery. Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 7 years (mean 22 months) in live patients. RESULTS: Durable palliation of dysphagia in all three treatment groups has been reflected by encouraging 3-year survival expectations of 43.2 +/- 5% in definitively treated patients, 40.3 +/- 7.65% in surgically treated patients, and 8.5% +/- 3.9% in the palliatively treated patients. There are early indications that female patients have fared better than males. Toxicity levels were modest in all three groups. Following definitive treatment, severe myelotoxicity (World Health Organization grades 3 and 4) occurred in 19%, severe esophagitis (World Health Organization grade 3) in 11%, and moderate or severe benign stricture in 17%, depending upon age and sex of the patient (being worse in female patients). CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that the concurrent addition of modest dose cisplatin and infusional dose fluorouracil to radiation in the definitive, preoperative, and palliative settings contribute to high rates of durable dysphagia-free survival, with overall survival comparable to (and possibly better than) the chemoradiation arm of the recently reported Intergroup Study, but at the cost of less morbidity.

Release of antral gastrin in response to an intestinal meal in dogs.

This study was designed to determine whether gastrin is released by the antrum in response to an intestinal meal in dogs. Two groups of anesthetized dogs were prepared with innervated antral pouches. The antrum and duodenum were separated by complete division at the pylorus to prevent duodenoantral reflux. The duodenum and proximal jejunum were perfused with 10% liver extract at 200 ml/hr. In one group of six dogs a significant elevation of antral vein gastrin levels was observed after 45 minutes. Gastrin levels in portal and peripheral blood were not significantly elevated. In another group of eight dogs, in which antral veins were not cannulated, a significant rise in peripheral gastrin concentration was noted after 60 minutes. We conclude that gastrin is released by the antrum during the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion; significantly increased levels of gastrin are detected in both antral and peripheral venous blood. Duodenoantral reflux, as a possible cause of this release, is ruled out by complete surgical separation between duodenum and antrum.

Importance of dissection of the hernial sac in laparoscopic surgery for large hiatal hernias.

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernia is an appropriate management strategy. DESIGN: A prospective patient series. SETTING: A university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with hiatal hernias 10 cm or greater in diameter repaired laparoscopically between February 1, 1992, and September 30, 1998. INTERVENTIONS: Two operative strategies were used for laparoscopic repair: the first, which was used until early 1996, entailed initial esophageal dissection while leaving the sac in the mediastinum. The second involved preliminary dissection of the hernial sac from the mediastinum before dissecting the esophagus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful completion of the procedure using a laparoscopic technique, postoperative complication rate, reoperation rate, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients with a large hiatal hernia underwent attempted repair using laparoscopic methods. The median age was 63 years (range, 30-91 years), and 45 patients (52%) were women. There were 30 sliding, 10 rolling, and 46 mixed hiatal hernias. Operating times ranged from 48 to 240 minutes (median, 90 minutes), and 20 procedures (23%) were converted to an open operation. Conversion was significantly more common in the first half of our experience (16 [40%] of 40 patients vs 4 [9%] of 46 patients) before the operative strategy was changed. Esophageal-lengthening procedures were not carried out for any patient. At follow-up of a median of 2 years, 1 patient has moderate dysphagia, 4 patients have reflux symptoms, and 1 patient has undergone further surgery for a recurrent paraesophageal hernia. An overall satisfactory outcome was achieved in 81 patients (94%). CONCLUSIONS: Large hiatal hernias can be treated effectively laparoscopically. Dissecting the sac fully from the mediastinum before dissecting the esophagus helps to safely mobilize the esophagus, and we think changing to this strategy is the main reason for the improved laparoscopic success rate reported in the latter half of this series.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with Barrett esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux and Barrett esophagus may represent a group of patients with poorer postoperative outcomes. It has been suggested that such patients should undergo open rather than laparoscopic antireflux surgery. HYPOTHESIS: The laparoscopic approach to antireflux surgery is appropriate treatment for patients with Barrett esophagus who have symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: The outcome of 757 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 1998, was prospectively examined. Barrett esophagus was present in 81 (10.7%) of these patients (58 men and 23 women). The outcome for this group of patients was compared with that of patients undergoing surgery who did not have Barrett esophagus. RESULTS: The types of operation performed were similar for the 2 patient groups. The mean +/- SD length of columnar mucosa was 47.4 +/- 43.6 mm. The average +/- SD operation time was 79.0 +/- 33.4 minutes. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 6 patients. Postoperative outcomes were as follows. Esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH studies before and after laparoscopic fundoplication demonstrated a significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter resting and residual relaxation pressures and a significant decrease in distal esophageal acid exposure. Four patients have developed high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer within 4 years of their antireflux surgery, and all of these have subsequently undergone esophageal resection. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery is similar for patients with Barrett esophagus compared with other patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. This suggests that laparoscopic surgery is appropriate treatment for this patient group.

Stenosis of the esophageal hiatus following laparoscopic fundoplication.

Three patients from an overall experience of more than 250 laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications have undergone further surgery for stenosis of the esophageal hiatus. This complication may be associated with diathermy dissection of the esophagus during laparoscopic mobilization.

Pancreatic polypeptide. A review.

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP), 36-amino acid peptide, may function as an important feedback inhibitor of pancreatic secretion after a meal. It arises from both islet and acinar cells of the pancreas. Release of PP by a meal, primarily protein, occurs in a biphasic manner. The first rapid release occurs as a result of vagal stimulation; the second, more prolonged rise (the so-called intestinal phase) occurs in response to hormonal stimulation, predominantly cholecystokinin. Plasma PP levels increase with age; PP levels are elevated above those of age-controlled normal subjects in diabetic patients and in some patients with pancreatic amine precursor uptake decarboxylase tumors. The value of plasma PP as a possible marker for pancreatic tumors is as yet unsettled but may be a valuable tool.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: five-year results and beyond.

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication provides long-term relief of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. DESIGN: Prospectively evaluated case series. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: From September 1991 to December 1999, we performed more than 900 laparoscopic antireflux procedures. The outcome for patients who underwent surgery between September 1991 and June 1994 (178 cases) was determined. This included all patients having laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, from the first procedure onward. INTERVENTIONS: Long-term follow-up for 5 or more years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was obtained by an independent investigator who interviewed patients using a structured questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prospective evaluation of clinical symptoms using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Outcome data covering a period of 5 or more years after surgery was available for 176 patients (99%), with 2 patients lost to follow-up. Nine patients died (8 of unrelated causes) at some stage following surgery, and the outcome was difficult to determine in 1 patient with cerebral palsy. Hence, questionnaire data were available for 166 patients at a median follow-up of 6 years (range, 5-8 years). Three patients (1.7%) underwent revision surgery for recurrent reflux; 87% of the 176 patients remained free of significant reflux. Reoperation was required for dysphagia in 7 patients (3.9%), 2 for a tight wrap and 5 for a tight diaphragmatic hiatus. In addition, reoperation was necessary for a paraesophageal hiatus hernia in 13 patients (7.3%). Of the reoperations, 56% were performed within 12 months of the original procedure, and 22% during the second year of follow-up. Further surgery was uncommon after 2 years. The long-term outcome was considered "good or excellent" by 90% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is similar to that following open fundoplication. Good results are obtained in most patients.