Quality of life and patients satisfaction with therapy 3 years after laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Purpose: Evaluation of quality of life data and patient satisfaction to est imate the outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) is nowadays an important issue, the long-term outcome of this has not yet received much at tention. Methods: In the present study we evaluated the outcome of quality of life data of 70 patients who underwent "floppy" Nissen fundoplication at our institute 3 years after surgery. Quality of life was evaluated with th e Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Additionally the subjecti vity and objectivity of the quality of the procedure and possible side effe cts were evaluated with a questionnaire. Results: Three years after laparos copic Nissen fundoplication, patients gave their quality of life (GIQLI) in an overall score of 123.9 points. This is comparable to 122.6 points in th e normal population. There was no difference detectable in the subdimension s of GIQLI. Ninety-eight percent of the patients estimated their satisfacti on with the procedure as excellent or good and would undergo surgery again if necessary. Four patients suffered from minimal side effects from the pro cedure, but had no decrease in their quality of life. None of the patients needed antireflux medications postoperatively. Laparoscopic redo-fundoplica tion was performed in two patients 3 months after initial surgery because o f persisting dysphagia. Conclusion: The efficacy and long-term outcome of t reatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease with laparoscopic "floppy" Niss en fundoplication can be evaluated by objective testing, but also by subjec tive judgment of the patient and with an evaluation of quality of life.