A Study on the Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Fundoplication on Extraesophageal Manifestations of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Available data regarding the effectiveness of laparoscopic antireflux surgery on extraesophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are scarce and mostly controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effect of partial and total fundoplication on extraesophageal symptoms in a selected cohort of patients with GERD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• persistent or recurrent symptoms despite continuous medical treatment, at least one typical reflux symptom (heartburn/ regurgitation/dysphagia/epigastric pain) and/or at least one atypical reflux symptom (cough/ asthma/hoarseness/distortion of taste), pathologic esophageal acid exposure as documented by a reflux-related DeMeester score ≥14.7, and symptom correlation ≥50%, and/or reflux episodes >73.

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous esophageal or gastric surgery, poor physical status (American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores III and IV) and pregnancy.