Objective: To study the interest of partial fundoplication under laparoscopy, not only in terms of efficacy but also in the low rate of complications.
Methods: The study included all patients having undergone coelioscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux from January 1995 to February. A ventral semi-valve was created in all patients. Complications during surgery and post-surgical follow-up immediately after, six weeks later and then at distance were analyzed.
Results: The mean duration of surgery was 81 minutes (40-170 min.) and mean hospital stay 6.2 days (2-12 days). Twelve conversions were observed (9.6%) and post-surgical morbidity was of 9.7% after coelioscopy. At 6 weeks, 72 patients (63.7%) were satisfied with the operation, 13 patients (11.5%) complained of dysphagia and 5 (4.4%) of bloating. At distance, after a mean of 3.2 years (0.5-5.5 years), 72 patients (73%) were totally satisfied; 4 presented recurrent reflux (4.1%) and 3 patients (3.1%) complained of dysphagia.
Conclusion: The results of laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux with creation of a ventral semi-valve are encouraging. Pre-existing symptomatology is eradicated and post-surgical complications are clearly decreased.