EP.TH.893Virtual Clinic follow-up in Laparoscopic Fundoplication Surgery

Aims There are clinical and financial incentives to reduce follow-up NHS clinics after elective surgery. 55% of our laparoscopic anti-reflux procedures are day-cases procedures. To reduce consultant clinic workload and unnecessary face-to-face patient reviews, we introduced a laparoscopic surgical care practitioner (LSCP) based Virtual Clinic. Methods Patients were telephoned on day 1 and 5 to ensure they were managing their diet without significant post-operative symptoms. This was followed by a Virtual Clinic follow-up at 6-8 weeks, using a universal list of questions and template, and an electronic letter with outcomes recorded. 149 patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication surgery from September 2016 – May 2018. All follow-up clinics, both virtual and face-to-face, were recorded electronically. These were reviewed, data collected and analysed. Results Between September 2016 – May 2018, 149 patients had laparoscopic fundoplication surgery at our trust with the following clinic outcomes: Conclusions Our LSCP Virtual Clinics discharged 50 out of 149 (33%) patients with no need for face-to-face clinic time, and no detriment to patient care. Those requiring further follow-up were patients who had difficulty managing dietary changes, or experiencing symptoms like dysphagia, often needing physical review and further investigations. Furthermore, patients have expressed high satisfaction with this service. Virtual clinic follow-up is safe, patient-friendly, and reduces both clinical and financial load on NHS outpatient clinics.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux: is laparoscopic fundoplication an effective treatment?

Introduction Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is difficult to diagnose and treat owing to uncertainty relating to the underlying pathology. The initial management of LPR includes lifestyle modifications and oral medications. In patients who have failed to respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, anti-reflux surgery is considered; laparoscopic fundoplication is the surgery of choice. The primary aim of this review is to identify whether fundoplication is effective in improving signs and symptoms of LPR. The secondary aim is to identify whether patients who have had a poor response to PPIs are likely to have symptom improvement with surgery. The objective of the study is to establish the effect of laparoscopic fundoplication on the reflux symptom index score (RSI). Methods PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases were used to search according to the PRISMA guidelines. Original articles assessing the efficacy of fundoplication in relieving symptoms of LPR were included. For each study, the efficacy endpoints and safety outcomes were recorded. Findings Nine studies from 844 initial records met the inclusion criteria: one prospective case control study, one retrospective case–control study, four prospective case series and three retrospective case series involving 287 fundoplications. All nine studies found fundoplication to be effective in improving symptoms of LPR (p < 0.05). Conclusion Current evidence suggests laparoscopic fundoplication is an effective treatment for LPR and should be considered if medical management is unsuccessful.

23 GASTRIC BYPASS AS REVISION SURGERY FOR FAILED FUNDOPLICATIONS

Laparoscopic fundoplication as anti-reflux technique has emerged and widely expanded as a cost effective alternative to life-long medical treatment in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Long-term success rate ranges from 80–90% with this procedure, but side effects still exist even with experienced surgeons. Patients with a failed anti-reflux procedure are becoming a more common problem nowadays. Although most of these patients can be managed medically, still some of them will require revisional surgery. Methods We presented our experience from January 2015 to June 2019 facing cases of failed fundoplications. 59 cases with failed fundoplication requiring revision were included in the study. Redo fundoplications were decided preoperatively or intraoperatively to be difficult or unsafe to be done for these cases. Revision surgery for these cases was done using either distal gastrectomy and RY gastro-jejunostomy (22 cases) when the hiatal dissection was not feasible or unsafe due to obscure anatomy or Truncal vagotomy and RY gastro-jejunostomy (37 cases) when the hiatal dissection was easy and feasible. Results Laparoscopy was used in 49 cases and was successfully completed in 42cases (%) and 7conversion (%). Improvement of symptoms: Recurrent reflux or dysphagia was noted in 19 cases (32%) and complete disappeared in 26 cases (44%). One case had leak from the GJ and another one got hematemesis. Both cases were managed conservatively. Nine patient (15%) had bile gastritis with abdominal pain. Five patients (8.5%) complained of dumping symptoms. No mortality was recorded. Conclusion RY gastro-jejunostomy for failed fundoplications is a valid, feasible surgical option when redo fundoplication is difficult to be done or if associated with possible or expected complications.

235 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL TRIAL OF AN ENDOSCOPIC FULL-THICKNESS PLICATION DEVICE (GERDX™) FOR THE TREATMENT OF GERD

The gold-standard in the operative treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the laparoscopic fundoplication. Alternatively, endoscopic devices to rebuild the gastroesophageal valve were invented. The aim of our study is to assess the improvement of GERD symptoms and quality of life in patients five years after the endoscopic full-thickness plication with the GERDx™ device. Methods Between 2013 and 2016 a prospective trial was implemented with forty patients and an endoscopic plication due to reflux symptoms with a pathologic workup for GERD. Limitation for the use of GERDx™ was a 2 cm hiatal hernia. Follow-up workup was done with high resolution manometry (HRM), 24 h-pH-impedance-catheter gastroscopy and questionaires for quality of life (GIQLI) and reflux-symptoms (SCL). Results Median follow-up time was 57 months (36–74 months). There was a significant improvement of the DeMeester score, GIQLI and SCL between pre- and postoperative values in short-term as well as long-term follow-up. At least 55% of patients were assessed as failure of the plication device due to redo operations with laparoscopic fundoplication in 25% and/or necessary PPI use for GERD symptoms (40%). There is no pre- and postoperative significant difference in quality of life or reflux scores between successful and failed endoplications, but patients with laparoscopic redo operations showed significant higher DeMeester scores before and after endoscopic treatment. Conclusion There is a higher failure rate to the endoscopic full-thickness plication than to the laparoscopic fundoplication. A small group of well selected patients is eligible for the endoscopic GERDx™ device. In case of therapeutic failure a classic laparoscopic redo fundoplication is possible under more challenging operative conditions.

378 REDO LAPAROSCOPIC FUNDOPLICATON IN A PATIENT WITH WRAP MIGRATION FOLLOWING TWICE FAILED NISSEN FUNDOPLICATION

Re-operation for wrap failure is a complex procedure required in 3–6% of patients. This video demonstrates a successful laparoscopic redo fundoplication in a patient who had previously undergone laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication twice for GERD in another institution, first for GERD in 2014 and then for recurrence of reflux. Patient presented to us with dysphagia and regurgitation. The work-up revealed wrap migration into the right pleural cavity. A successful redo laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication was performed. Methods The video describes the procedure of laparoscopic re do fundoplication. Results Patient is doing well at a follow up of 16 months. Conclusion Re-do laparoscopic fundoplication can be successfully accomplished through laparoscopic approach. Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Perelnr0fwGIk1kiAexYvXnJY01cO98C/view?usp=sharing.

773 LAPAROSCOPIC FUNDOPLICATION IN A DOG WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Antireflux procedures in humans are well stablished. However, the veterinarian literature lack of information on antireflux procedures. To our knowledge, this is the first ever documented laparoscopic fundoplication performed on a canine. A one-year male, Belgian Malinois was presented for consultation of progressive chronic regurgitation and hypersalivation. Given the persistent clinical signs despite medical management, laparoscopic fundoplication was recommended and elected. Methods Laparoscopic fundoplication was performed. The dog was induced under general anesthesia and prepared for ventral abdominal surgery in dorsal recumbency. A direct approach to the abdominal cavity was made just cranial to the umbilicus on midline and a 5 milimiter port placed routinely with a blunt trocar. Pneumoperitoneum was set at 8 to 10 millimeters of mercury. Results The patient was hospitalized postoperatively receiving methadone, maropitant, ondansetron, erythromycin, metoclopramide, pantoprazole and intravenous crystalloid fluid therapy. A liquid/soft diet was offered from 17-hours postoperatively which the dog ate readily with a normal appetite. No vomiting nor regurgitation was noted during the dog’s hospitalization. Patient was discharged 47 hours after surgery. Activity restriction was recommended for 14 days. The owner was recommended to adhere strictly to a diet comprised of a liquid consistency for the first seven days fed over three-to-four meals, followed by a slow gradual increase in consistency to canned soft food by three weeks. Conclusion Reflux is probably more prevalent in canines than previously thought and possible implementation of antireflux testing and procedures may need to be considered in this population. Video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-H0rrRhsIXXSVaHM_iU1QVvr_BqPqIg2/view?usp=sharing.