Abstract | BACKGROUND: Quality of life, poor in patients with reflux disease, improves significantly after an antireflux operation. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of the operative approach used for a fundoplication, as well as the successful elimination of reflux symptoms on long-term quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: A questionnaire, including the medical outcome study short-form health survey (SF-36), was completed by 105 patients who had undergone either a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (n = 72) or a transthoracic Nissen fundoplication (n = 33); median follow-up was 25 and 31 months, respectively. Patients were classified as completely or incompletely relieved of reflux symptoms based on the frequency of reflux symptoms and the use of acid-suppression medication. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Long-term quality of life was independent of the invasiveness of the procedure, but significantly dependent on successful elimination of reflux symptoms and the necessity for acid suppression medication. Patients who underwent a transthoracic Nissen fundoplication, despite having more advanced disease preoperatively, tended to have less reflux symptoms and less long-term acid-suppression medication usage after their procedure. These findings support the continued use of a transthoracic antireflux procedure in patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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Authors | Christopher G Streets, Steven R DeMeester, Tom R DeMeester, Jeffrey H Peters, Jeffrey A Hagen, Peter F Crookes, Cedric G Bremner |
Journal | The Annals of thoracic surgery
(Ann Thorac Surg)
Vol. 74
Issue 4
Pg. 1019-24; discussion 1024-5
(Oct 2002)
ISSN: 0003-4975 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 12400739
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Fundoplication
(methods)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux
(physiopathology, surgery)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Quality of Life
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Treatment Outcome
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