PRELIMINARY-RESULTS WITH LAPAROSCOPIC NIS SEN FUNDOPLICATION

17 patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroeso phageal reflux disease not responding to medical treatment. Conversion to laparotomy was necessaryly due to large paraesophageal hiatus hern ia (3) or severe periesophagitis (1) in 4 patients. There was no perio perative morbidity or mortality. At 3 months all patients were symptom -free. Esophageal manometry revealed a rise in mean lower esophageal s phincter pressure from 4 mm Hg preoperatively to 11 mm Hg postoperativ ely, and lengthening of the high pressure zone from 2.3 to 3.3 cm. One patient needed reoperation one year after fundoplication due to wrap disrupture with recurrent reflux disease. Laparoscopic fundoplication involves low perioperative morbidity and shortens the postoperative re covery time in selected patients.