The Rossetti-Nissen fundoplication--effective in managing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: The report herein details a prospective audit of a unit's eight-year experience of the Rossetti-Nissen fundoplication using a predominantly laparoscopic technique, selective hiatal repair, no bougie and a standardised protocol of pre- and post-operative functional endoscopic and symptom assessment.

METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-eight patients underwent the Rossetti-Nissen fundoplication. All patients had documented data on endoscopy, health related quality of life (HR-QoL), surgical details and complications pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Repeat physiological testing was performed at six months.

RESULTS: At a median follow-up of six (range 3-13) months there was improved symptom scoring and HR-QoL after fundoplication with an 89% patient satisfaction rate. Ninety-five patients (25%) reported some early dysphagia, and 91 of these reported the outcome of surgery to be excellent or good. Thirty-eight patients (10%) had recurrent heartburn and 28 (7%) were back on medication at six months post-operatively. At follow-up pH study at a median of six months, 89% of patients had normalised acid reflux scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Rossetti-Nissen fundoplication, with no use of an oesophageal bougie and no division of short gastric vessels, is an effective procedure giving 89% patient satisfaction and significant improvement in QoL parameters and physiological measurements.