INDICATIONS FOR ANTIREFLUX SURGERY OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Citation
Hj. Stein et al., INDICATIONS FOR ANTIREFLUX SURGERY OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Chirurg, 69(2), 1998, pp. 132-140
Citations number
54
Categorie Soggetti
Surgery
Journal title
ISSN journal
00094722
Volume
69
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Pages
132 - 140
Database
ISI
SICI code
0009-4722(1998)69:2<132:IFASOT>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
In the Western world gastroesophageal reflux disease constitutes the s ingle most common benign disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Current medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors allows physicians to provide complete symptom relief and healing of acute esophageal mu cosal injury in practically all affected patients. However, up to 50 % of patients require maintenance therapy to prevent relapse. In these patients laparoscopic antireflux surgery offers an attractive and cost -effective alternative to potentially life-long medical therapy. Conse quently, every patient with persistent or recurrent symptoms and/or co mplications of gastroesophageal reflux who depends on maintenance medi cal therapy to remain in remission is a potential candidate for laparo scopic antireflux surgery, particularly if of young age, suffering fro m side effects of medical therapy or worrying about long-term safety o f the conservative treatment alternatives. A careful selection of pati ents, objective documentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease by 24 -h esophageal pH monitoring, and meticulous attention to the technical details of the procedure are essential for a successful outcome of an tireflux surgery.