SPECTRUM OF GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC FUNDOPLICATION

A total of 82 patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between O ctober 1991 and September 1993. Operative complications were unusual ( 7%), and the procedure in one patient was converted to an open procedu re. Postoperative complications including dysphagia, gas bloat, and re flux recurrence were also unusual (less than 10% at 6 weeks). However, the majority of patients (96%) experienced some gastrointestinal side effects in the postoperative period. Such side effects included early satiety (96%), hyperflatulence (82%), nausea (15%), odynophagia (5%), and diarrhea (26%). The majority of these side effects faded during t he mean follow-up of 13 months but persisted in a few patients. The in cidence of these problems corresponds with the incidence reported in t he literature for open fundoplications. The etiology of these side eff ects and treatment used is presented in this review.