Causes of failures of known methods of antireflux laparoscopic interventions for hiatal hernias
Authors: Shevchenko B.F. , Prolom N.V. , Babii O.M. , Tarabarov S.O. , Simonova O.V. , Zeleniuk O.V. 
Published: May 2023

Background. The objective: to compare the effectiveness and safety of known laparoscopic antireflux interventions in the treatment of hiatal hernia and to detect the causes for their failure in a retrospective study. Materials and methods. In a retrospective comparative study, the long-term results of using the main methods of laparoscopic plastic surgery for hiatal hernias of various types and degrees were analyzed. Seventy-four (56.5%) patients who underwent Nissen fundoplication were included in group 1. Group 2 consisted of 37 (28.2%) people who underwent Toupet fundoplication and group 3 included 20 (15.3%) patients who underwent Dor fundoplication. The study includes patients operated in the clinic of the institute over a 7-year period, with the possibility of clinical evaluation of long-term results and the exclusion of factors affecting the results of plastic surgery. All patients underwent X-ray and endoscopic examinations of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, as well as manometry. Results. When analyzing the complaints of patients from groups 1–3 in the postoperative period, it can be noted that the most statistically significant indicators were dysphagia, regurgitation, cough, heartburn, bloating, stomach heaviness, pain behind the sternum (p<0.05, exact F test). During endoscopic examination, reflux esophagitis was detected in 16 (21.6%) patients of group 1, in 7 (18.9%) of group 2, and in 2 (10.0%) patients of group 3. Erosions of the lower third of the esophagus were found in 14 (18.9%) patients from group 1, in 6 (16.2%) from group 2, and in 2 (10.0%) patients from group 3. Esophageal stricture was detected in 1 (1.4%) patient from group 1 in the postoperative period during endoscopic examination. Signs of a “second entrance” to the stomach were found in 16 (13.5%) patients of group 1, in 5 (13.5%) of group2, and in 2 (10.0%) of group 3. Dislocation of the fundoplication cuff was noted in 1 (1.3%) patient of group1, resulting in deformation of the esophagogastric junction and pain syndrome. Pylorospasm was found in 8 (8.8%) patients from group 1, in 3 (2.9%) from group 2 and in 1 (5.0%) patient from group 3. During the X-ray examination, recurrent hiatal hernia was detected: in group 1— in 10 (13.5%) cases, in group 2— in 5 (13.5%), in group 3— in 2(10.0%). When assessing the quality of life of patients after surgical interventions, it was found that in group 1, the average score on the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease— Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire was (11.0±5.5 (3–35) points, in group 2— (19.0±8.0 (3–35)), in group 3— (16.0±7.3 (3–35)) points, which was quite high in all groups. The distribution of satisfaction with the condition in group 1 was as follows: satisfied— 34 (45.9%) patients, partially satisfied— 24 (32.4%), unsatisfied— 16 (21.6%). The distribution of satisfaction with the condition in group 2 was as follows: satisfied— 16 (43.2%) patients, partially satisfied— 14 (37.8%), unsatisfied— 7 (19.0%). The distribution of satisfaction with the condition in group 3 was as follows: satisfied— 9 (45.0%) patients, partially satisfied— 8 (40.0%), unsatisfied— 3 (15.0%). In the distant postoperative period, complications (pylorospasm, dysphagia, dyspeptic disorders, reflux esophagitis, esophageal strictures) occurred in 40 (54.1%) patients of group 1, in 14 (37.8%) of group 2, and in 6 (30.0%) of group 3. There were no significant differences in the frequency of postoperative complications between groups (54.1 vs. 37.8%, p>0.05, exact F test; 54.1 vs. 30.0%, p>0.05, exact F test; 37.8 vs. 30.0%, p>0.05, exact F test). Conclusions. 1. The number of patients who are unsatisfied with the results of surgery according to GERD-HRQL questionnaire, was 21.6% ((11.0±5.5) points) after Nissen fundoplication, 19.0% ((19.0±8.0) points) after Toupet fundoplication, and 15.0% ((16.0±7.3) points) after Dor fundoplication. 2. Failures of the known methods of antireflux laparoscopic interventions for hiatal hernia are associated with the destruction of the components of the physiological cardia and occurred in 40 (54.1%) patients of group 1 (pylorospasm, dysphagia, dyspeptic disorders, reflux esophagitis, esophageal strictures), in 14 (37.8%) in group 2 and in 6 (30.0%) in the third group. 3. Nissen fundoplication in the postoperative period was significantly more often accompanied by dysphagia and pylorospasm compared to Toupet and Dor fundoplications (p<0.05).