Laparoscopic refundoplications after failed antireflux surgery

Background: Open and laparoscopic antireflux procedures may require reoperation for failures of the initial procedure in about 3% to 6% of cases. The purpose of this study is to describe our operative experiences, postoperative results, and patients’ view of outcome following laparoscopic refundoplication. Methods: Thirty patients (18 men, 12 women), mean age 56 years (range 37 to 77) underwent laparoscopic redo surgery. In 18 patients the initial surgery was done by the open technique, and 3 had surgery twice previously. Twelve patients had previous laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Indications for redo surgery were recurrent reflux (n = 17), dysphagia (n = 6), and the combination of both (n = 7). Results: Twenty-eight patients were completed laparoscopically, 21 with a floppy Nissen and 7 with a Toupet fundoplication. Two patients were converted to the open procedure because of intraoperative technical problems. In 5 cases there was an injury to the stomach wall, successfully managed laparoscopically. Postoperatively 1 patient had dysphagia and required pneumatic dilatation, another had gas bloat. There was a significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter pressure at 3 months (12.4 ± 4.8 mm Hg; n = 30) and 1 year (12.3 ± 4.5 mm Hg; n = 30). Twenty-four hour pH monitoring showed a decrease of the DeMeester Score at 3 months after surgery from 14.7 ± 10.6 (n = 30) and 1 year after surgery from 12.1 ± 8.7 (n = 30). Gastrointestinal quality of life index increased from 87 points preoperatively to 121 at 3 months and 123 at 1 year, which is comparable with a healthy population (123 points). Conclusions: Laparoscopic refundoplication is a feasible and effective procedure with excellent postoperative results, independent of whether the primary procedure was done by the open or laparoscopic technique.