Background Concerns about laparoscopic antireflux surgery include the
frequent appearance of troublesome postoperative dysphagia. This study
reviews the frequency of early (less than 6 weeks) and persistent (gr
eater than 6 weeks) solid food dysphagia in patients undergoing Toupet
, Rosetti-Nissen, or Nissen fundoplications. Methods One hundred eight
y-four consecutive patients with normal esophageal peristalsis undergo
ing laparoscopic antireflux surgery were prospectively studied. Before
operation, all patients had endoscopy, 24-hour pH study, and an esoph
ageal motility study. The choice of operation was dependent on anatomy
and surgeon preference. Before discharge, all patients were given ins
tructions on a soft diet. Postoperative symptoms were scored by the pa
tients as absent, mild, moderate, or severe 4 weeks and 12 weeks after
operation. The option of esophageal dilation was offered to patients
with moderate to severe persistent solid food dysphagia. Results New o
nset moderate to severe dysphagia to solid foods was present in 30 (54
%), 8 (17%), and 13 (16%) patients undergoing Rosetti-Nissen, Nissen,
and Toupet fundoplications, respectively, in the first month after ope
ration (p < 0.001). Moderate to severe dysphagia persisted at 3 months
in six (11%), one (2%), and two (2%) patients undergoing laparoscopic
Rosetti-Hell, Nissen, and Toupet fundoplications, respectively (p < 0
.05). Esophageal dilatation was performed in five (4%), zero, and one
(1%) patients undergoing laparoscopic Rosetti-Nissen, Nissen, and Toup
et fundoplications, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no additional m
orbidity related to division of short gastric vessels in patients unde
rgoing Nissen fundoplication. Conclusions Laparoscopic Rosetti-Nissen
fundoplication is associated with a higher rate of early and persisten
t postoperative dysphagia than either laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicati
on or Toupet fundoplication. Consideration of complete fundus mobiliza
tion should be a part of all laparoscopic antireflux procedures.