Correction of gastrocardial syndrome in patients with hernias of the esophageal orifice of the diaphragm during antireflux operations

Introduction. Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm in 90% of cases is the main cause of the development of reflux esophagitis. The doctrine highlighted a large group of extraesophageal manifestations of reflux esophagitis, including gastrocardiac syndrome.Аim. The purpose of this publication is to evaluate the effectiveness of antireflux surgery in patients with hiatal hernia through the prism of its effectiveness in the dynamics of gastrocardial syndrome regression.Material and мethods. The paper presents the results of diagnostics and surgical treatment of 101 patients with hiatal hernia.Results. According to the data of instrumental research methods, cardiac hernias of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm were detected in 45 (44.5%) patients, cardiofundal in 40 (39.6%), subtotal in 15 (14.8%), total in 1 (0.9%). The main place in the clinical picture of gastrocardial syndrome was occupied by the pain syndrome behind the breastbone (83.1%). Thus, arrhythmias were found in 16 (40.0%) patients with cardiofundal, in 10 (66.6%) subtotal and in 1 (100.0%) total hiatal hernia, and angina pectoris is characteristic of cardiac hernias and was observed in 20 (44.4%) patients. The clinical manifestation of reflex angina pectoris and arrhythmias depended on the degree of shortening of the esophagus. Thus, arrhythmias were more common in patients with cardiofundal (50.0%), subtotal (71.4%), total (100.0%) hiatal hernia with II degree of shortening of the esophagus, and angina pectoris characteristic of cardiac (75.0%) hiatal hernia. with II degree of shortening of the esophagus. Reflex angina is typical for patients of the older age group, and manifestations of arrhythmia are recorded at a younger age. Heart rate variability was considered, according to electrocardiogram and Holter ECG monitoring before and after surgical treatment, where the parameters significantly (p> 0.05) decreased.Conclusions. The phenomena of gastrocardial syndrome regressed after antireflux surgery in 44 (43.5%) patients. Surgical treatment from the endovideosurgical approach did not worsen the results of surgical treatment.

How effective is laparoscopic redo-antireflux surgery?

Summary Background: The failure-rate after primary antireflux surgery ranges from 3 to 30%. Reasons for failures are multifactorial. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the complex reasons for, and management of, failure after antireflux surgery. Methods: Patients were selected for redo-surgery after a diagnostic workup consisting of history and physical examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, quality-of-life assessment, screening for somatoform disorders, esophageal manometry, 24-hour-pH-impedance monitoring, and selective radiographic studies such as Barium-sandwich for esophageal passage and delayed gastric emptying. Perioperative and follow-up data were compiled between 2004 and 2017. Results: In total, 578 datasets were analyzed. The patient cohort undergoing a first redo-procedure (n = 401) consisted of 36 patients after in-house primary LF and 365 external referrals (mean age: 62.1 years [25–87]; mean BMI 26 [20–34]). The majority of patients underwent a repeated total or partial laparoscopic fundoplication. Major reasons for failure were migration and insufficient mobilization during the primary operation. With each increasing number of required redo-operations, the complexity of the redo-procedure itself increased, follow-up quality-of-life decreased (GIQLI: 106; 101; and 100), and complication rate increased (intraoperative: 6,4–10%; postoperative: 4,5–19%/first to third redo). After three redo-operations, resections were frequently necessary (morbidity: 42%). Conclusions: Providing a careful patient selection, primary redo-antireflux procedures have proven to be highly successful. It is often the final chance for a satisfying result may be achieved upon performing a second redo-procedure. A third revision may solve critical problems, such as severe pain and/or inadequate nutritional intake. When resection is required, quality of life cannot be entirely normalized.

P-BN25 Redo-Antireflux surgery long term quality of life retrospective study

Background Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) can have a significant effect on patients quality of life, especially in sever cases. Laparoscopic Antireflux surgery is the most common approach which offers promising long-term outcomes. However, Failure of antireflux procedures are reported in 5% to 10% of the patients who might require a redo-antireflux surgery (Redo-ARS). This study aims to assess the long-term outcomes of Redo-Antireflux surgeries regarding symptoms control and patient satisfaction. Methods Retrospective study for patients who underwent Redo-ARS with a single consultant in the south of England. Follow up was done using The GORD Health-Related Quality-of-Life (GORD-HRQL) scale and patients reported their scores before and after the redo-surgery. Exclusion criteria included follow up less than one year and failure of contacting the patient. Results All patients who underwent Redo-ARS between 2009-2019 were enlisted and 18 -out of the identified 22- were included in the study. Overall, There was a significant decrease in heartburn severity after the redo operation with a median reported severity of 4.5 preoperatively which decreased to 2 after the operation with a P value of 0.00062. This was observed in assessment of heartburn symptoms severity during sleep, laying flat, standing and after meals which all showed improvement after the operation with P values <0.005. There was no statistically significant improvement of dysphagia, odynophagia or bloating. The median follow up was 5 years. Conclusions Redo laparoscopic antireflux operations are technically challenging, however, significant heartburn symptoms control is feasible. Further evaluation of types of surgeries and patient selection can guide decisions regarding further management and guidelines.

Anastomotic Stricture in End-to-End Anastomosis—Risk Factors in a Series of 261 Patients with Esophageal Atresia

Aim To assess the risk factors for anastomotic stricture (AS) in end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). Methods With ethical consent, hospital records of 341 EA patients from 1980 to 2020 were reviewed. Patients with less than 3 months survival (n = 30) with Gross type E EA (n = 24) and with primary reconstruction (n = 21) were excluded. Outcome measures were revisional surgery for anastomotic stricture (RSAS) and number of dilatations required for anastomotic patency without RSAS. The factors that were tested for risk of RSAS or dilatations were distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) at the carina in C-type EA (congenital TEF [CTEF]), type A/B EA, antireflux surgery (ARS), anastomotic leakage, recurrent TEF, and Spitz group and congenital heart disease. Main Results A total of 266 patients, Gross type A (n = 17), B (n = 3), C (n = 237), or D (n = 9) underwent EEA (early n = 240, delayed n = 26). Early anastomotic breakdown required secondary reconstruction in five patients. Of the remaining 261 patients, 17 (6.1%) had RSAS, whereas 244 patients with intact end to end required a median of five (interquartile range: 2–8) dilatations for anastomotic patency. Main risk factors for RSAS or (> 8) dilatations were CTEF, type A/B, ARS, and anastomotic leakage that increased the risk of RSAS or dilatations from 4.6- to 11-fold. Conclusion The risk of severe AS is associated with long-gap EA, significant gastroesophageal reflux, and anastomotic leakage.

The Outcomes of Performing Partial Fundoplication Based on Endoflip Versus Manometric Findings

Background The surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves extensive diagnostic studies and sophisticated surgical techniques. The workup should be comprehensive and purposeful. High resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) provides valuable information regarding peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The disadvantages of HRIM such as intolerance or inability to pass the catheter led to its selective use or even omission especially in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with partial fundoplication. This pragmatic approach risks missing motility disorders in patients with secondary reflux symptoms related to achalasia or scleroderma. Endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe (endoFLIP) can fill this void as it evaluates the dynamics of the esophagogastric junction under sedation. This study aims to compare the outcomes of preoperative use of HRIM vs endoFLIP for laparoscopic repair of hiatal hernia with partial fundoplication. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study for consecutive patients who underwent antireflux surgery with partial fundoplication between July 2018 and February 2021. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared between two cohorts of patients: those with preoperative HRIM and those with preoperative endoFLIP. Results A total of 72 patients were evaluated, 41 had preoperative HRIM and 31 had endoFLIP. There was no statistically significant difference in their age, sex, BMI, duration of GERD symptoms, or proton pump inhibitors use. The endoscopic findings of esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and Hill’s grade were comparable. There was no difference in the American Society of Anesthesiology classification or the choice of antireflux surgery. The improvement of postoperative GERD scores and dysphagia subscore was similar between the two groups. Conclusion Performing partial fundoplication based on endoFLIP evaluation of the dynamics of the esophagogastric junction is safe and does not increase postoperative dysphagia compared to preoperative manometric use. Randomized prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

The Value of High-Resolution Manometry in Measurement of EGJ Competency and Manometric Outcomes of Antireflux Surgery

The esophagogastric junction (EGJ) barrier plays an integral role in the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux; however, not much attention has been paid to competency parameters, especially in the era of high-resolution manometry (HRM). HRM provides a unique spatiotemporal pressure profile and measurements of the EGJ. Herein, we discuss the evidence for objective measures of EGJ competency, which should guide the clinical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Additionally, we will briefly discuss expected normal values after antireflux surgery.

Esophageal Manometry Testing and Anti-Reflux Surgery: The Preoperative Necessity and Prognostic Utility

Manometric assessment of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and esophageal body is the key to a better understanding of the mechanics of antireflux surgery (ARS) and maximizing its benefits while minimizing adverse outcomes. However, there is an attitude of uncertainty regarding the necessity of esophageal motility prior to ARS among some surgeons. This evidence-based review highlights the critical role of manometry in the preoperative workup for patients undergoing ARS. It also discusses how manometry can detect findings associated with favorable outcomes or the risk of postoperative dysphagia. Manometric data can be used for risk stratification and the prediction of outcomes, aiding the surgeon in matching an operation to the specific physiology of each individual patient.

802 PERIOPERATIVE AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES FOR PRIMARY ANTIREFLUX SURGERY: FUNDOPLICATION VS. RNY RECONSTRUCTION

Laparoscopic fundoplication is the gold standard for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, RNY reconstruction may be an alternative option in patients with complex pathophysiology and other risk factors. This study aimed to compare perioperative and short-term outcomes between primary fundoplication and RNY reconstruction. Methods After IRB approval, a prospectively maintained esophageal surgery database was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent primary fundoplication or RNY reconstruction from September 2016 to July 2020. We retrieved perioperative outcomes (operative time, length of hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications) along with GERD-Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) scores at annual follow-up. Results During the study period, 226 patients underwent surgery (fundoplication: 210; RNY: 16). The most common indication for RNY was severe esophageal dysmotility or morbid obesity. There was only one conversion to open surgery due to adhesions (fundoplication group). The operative time, length of hospital stay, and ICU stay were significantly lower in the fundoplication group. Rates of intraoperative (fundoplication: 3% vs RNY: 0) and postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥II) (fundoplication: 3% vs RNY: 6%) were not significantly different between groups. Both groups had a significant and similar improvement of GERD-HRQL scores 1 year after surgery (Table 1). Conclusion Primary antireflux surgery is associated with low perioperative morbidity and excellent short-term outcomes. RNY reconstruction and fundoplication have similar outcomes. More liberal use of RNY reconstruction as the primary antireflux surgery in patients at high risk of failure with fundoplication should be explored.