A study has suggested that patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication (anti-reflux surgery) by experienced surgeons are satisfied with their decision to undergo surgery and have low re-operation rates.
Laparoscopic fundoplication is a minimally invasive procedure to correct gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which food and liquids escape from the stomach to the oesophagus, causing irritation, heartburn and other symptoms.
The study, published in the journal Archives of Surgery, was carried out by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, US. There were 191 patient participants in this study.
The report found that 71% of patients who underwent primary anti-reflux surgery were satisfied with the outcome over the long term, while 35% reported satisfaction following redo anti-reflux surgery.
The majority of patients, 88% of those who underwent primary anti-reflux surgery and 76% of those who had redo anti-reflux surgery said they would be willing to undergo surgery again.
