Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic left hemi‑fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic left hemi-fundoplica-tion for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Method The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 45 patients with GERD who were admitted to Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2019 to July 2022 were collected. There were 26 males and 19 females, aged (46±12) years. All patients underwent laparoscopic left hemi‑fundoplication. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative conditions; (2) follow‑up. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers. The paired samples t‑test was used for comparison of indicators before and after surgery.

Result (1) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions. All 45 patients successfully underwent the operation, with no conversion to open surgery or intraoperative complications. The operation time was (86±8)minutes, volume of intraoperative blood loss was (12±3)mL, and time to postoperative first flatus was (2.2±0.8)days. Among the 45 patients after surgery, 4 cases had fever, 3 cases had retrosternal dull pain and discomfort, 4 cases had dysphagia, 3 cases had abdominal distension, and 5 cases had constipation. All these symptoms were cured or relieved spontaneously after sympto-matic treatment. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was (3.5±0.5)days. There was no patient with infection, delayed bleeding or perforation.(2) Follow‑up. All 45 patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery, with no recurrence of GERD. Gastroscopy showed no esophageal mucosal damage such as erosion or ulcer, and no hiatal hernia occurred. Before surgery, the reflux symptom index score, GERD questionnaire score, reflux disease questionnaire score, lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure, and DeMeester score of 24‑hour esophageal pH monitoring were 24.3±1.9, 12.5±2.1,20.1±4.5, (7.1±1.1)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and 31.4±6.4, respectively. At 1 year after surgery, the above indicators were 2.2±0.7, 6.5±0.5, 4.0±2.6, (23.2±2.9)mmHg, and 6.0±1.4, respectively. There were significant differences before and after surgery (t=80.75, 18.70,20.09, -33.45, 26.15, P<0.05).

Conclusion Laparoscopic left hemi‑fundoplication is safe and feasible for GERD, which can improve the clinical symptoms of patients.