Combined Transabdominal Gastroplasty and Fundoplication for Shortened Esophagus: Impact on Reflux-Related and Overall Quality of Life

Scott G. Houghton, Claude Deschamps, Stephen D. Cassivi, Mark S. Allen, Francis C. Nichols, Sunni A. Barnes, Peter C. Pairolero

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Transabdominal gastroplasty for shortened esophagus at the time of fundoplication results in a segment of aperistaltic, acid-secreting neoesophagus above the fundoplication. We hypothesized that transabdominal gastroplasty impairs quality of life (QOL). Methods: This was a matched paired analysis with retrospective chart review and follow-up questionnaire of 116 patients undergoing transabdominal fundoplication with gastroplasty with 116 matched controls undergoing transabdominal fundoplication alone from January 1997 to June 2005. Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and Quality Of Life in Reflux And Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) instruments were used to measure overall and reflux-related QOL. Overall response rate was 75%; including 65 matched pairs used for long-term follow-up and QOL analysis. Results: Groups were similar in age, sex, duration of hospitalization, and complications (p > 0.05). Gastroplasty patients had larger hiatal hernias and were more likely to have undergone a previous fundoplication (p < 0.01). No perioperative deaths or major morbidity occurred in 18% of both groups. Survey respondents were older than nonrespondents (p < 0.01). Complications did not impact response rates (p = 0.11). Median follow-up was 14 months in the gastroplasty group and 17 months in controls (p = 0.02). The groups had similar scores on the SF-36 and QOLRAD (p > 0.05) and similar overall frequency of patient satisfaction, perceived health status, and self-reported symptoms of reflux, dysphagia, bloating, diarrhea, and excessive flatus (p > 0.05). Control patients were more likely to require rehospitalization or reinterventions (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Transabdominal gastroplasty and fundoplication for shortened esophagus is safe and results in similar overall and reflux-related QOL compared with fundoplication alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1947-1952
Number of pages6
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume85
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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