Effects of fundoplication on the antireflux mechanism

Forty patients with a diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease established by 24-h ambulatory pH monitoring were treated by a short 360 degrees fundoplication. Results of postoperative evaluation at 6 months were compared with those from 50 normal volunteers. The amount of gastro-oesophageal reflux at pH monitoring decreased significantly and was less than the reflux in the normal subjects. The pressure and the intra-abdominal length of the distal oesophageal high-pressure zone increased significantly. The pressure was similar to that in the normal subjects while a significantly longer intra-abdominal part of the high-pressure zone was created. The clinical results of the operation were evaluated in 38 patients by an independent gastro-enterologist, and were considered to be excellent in 22 patients, good in 13, fair in 2 and poor in 1 patient. The antireflux procedure provided good control of the gastro-oesophageal reflux in our patients by restoring the major components of the antireflux mechanism.